Daniel Iliffe: Penn State and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Pathway

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Through your support, Daniel has been recruited to Penn State, a NCAA Division I college for world class training and a clear pathway to Brisbane 2032.

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Daniel is a 17-year-old Australian five-time national sabre champion and international medallist whose ambition is to represent Australia at the Olympics. He has achieved everything possible in Australia, leading him to be recruited by Penn State University, USA as a member of its NCAA Division I fencing team. At Penn State, he&#39;ll train and compete at an elite level where fencing thrives, with greater access to international competition and a pathway to Brisbane 2032. Daniel is contributing through his own work, his family is supporting what they can, and he&#39;s earned performance-based aid but there&#39;s still a gap to bridge. Any support brings this opportunity closer to reality. ‘Daniel has incredible physical conditions to dominate fencing. His commitment to training is exceptional ... he always looks for ways to improve both technically and tactically. He has outstanding discipline, a willingness to learn and supports his teammates’. Aleksandra Shelton OLY, National Sabre Head Coach, Australian Fencing Federation In 2018, Ms Bain, Daniel’s Scottish-born Year 5 teacher at his public primary school, had an idea for him: try fencing for Friday sport. He did. Three days later Daniel, aged 10, became the newest member of Marrickville Marauders, a grassroots fencing club in Sydney’s Inner West. Seven years later, he remains relentlessly dedicated and has received community support from every quarter. Families in Bermagui, his grandmother’s coastal home town, helped fundraise as did friends and family from within his Marrickville community. Strangers across the world billeted him for competitions they’d never attend. Sydney Boys High School offered him a place for his final two years, recognising his effort and potential. Daniel is a &#39;talented sportsman ... collaborative, open-minded, motivated and strives for success in all endeavours. He epitomises the ethos of the school in his steadfast pursuit of all round excellence’.Dr K Jaggar OAM, Principal, Sydney Boys High School For Australian fencers, a NCAA Division I college pathway is the recommended pathway by the Australian Fencing Federation and his world-class potential has been recognised by Penn State. Daniel has proven results with historic achievements no one has matched in 76 years domestically and seven international medals, gold, silver and bronze from Commonwealth and European events. And the timing is fortuitous: at 23, Daniel will be at peak athletic age for sabre fencing for Australia&#39;s home Olympic Games. This investment develops enduring value beyond individual Olympic outcomes. Elite NCAA training, international competition experience, and coaching expertise return to strengthen Australian fencing infrastructure regardless of qualification results, creating pathways for future generations. With what Daniel can do, and his family’s contribution and over time, performance-based aid, there is a US$36,264 gap which is for Year 1 tuition and living expenses to enable Daniel to access four years of world-class training not available or possible in Australia. As an international student, Daniel is ineligible for US Federal aid. To secure his future at Penn State, Year 1 funding must be in place by July 2026. Missing this date means deferring enrolment for a year, disrupting the critical 2026-2030 Olympic qualification period. Every contribution moves Daniel closer to Penn State and Brisbane 2032.