CAMERON SHIELDS AWARDED SPORT AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME MENTORSHIP

PRESS RELEASE/Australian Formula 4 – Photo: supplied

Toowoomba driver Cameron Shields has become the first four-wheeled motor sport athlete to be selected for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2019 Scholarship and Mentoring Program.

Currently in contention for outright honours in the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship, Shields will be mentored by two-time World Series Baseball champion Graeme Lloyd, who is the only Australian to have won such a title.

Shields was honoured to be selected at such a young age as he prepares to advance his motor sport career into the future.

“To be selected in one of Australia’s most prestigious scholarship programs is remarkable,” Shields said.

“The recognition I may receive from being a part of this program and the advice from my mentor will be invaluable for the progression of my racing career.

“This is the beginning of a new journey for me and it is one I cannot wait to embark on.”

Whilst baseball and motor sport have their obvious differences, the experience of being an elite world athlete will be invaluable for Shields to learn from Lloyd.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity and challenge to help this young talent improve and become the force that I believe he can be in racing,” Lloyd said. “I really love the idea of mentoring athletes from different sports. I think it can open up a whole new facet or way of thinking that might not have been explored yet”

CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca congratulated Shields on being selected for the program, which is the first time a four-wheeled participant has been admitted.

“Cameron gives motor sport his all and should be congratulated for being recognised with this scholarship,” Arocca said. “The Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship is a terrific opportunity for someone like Cameron who is showing tremendous skill whenever he races in the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship.

“Working with an athlete like Graeme Lloyd, who has competed in one of the biggest leagues in the world, including playing for the New York Yankees – one of the most iconic teams in the world – will be a terrific learning experience for Cameron and one that will certainly help him become the best driver and athlete he can be.”

The scholarships will be formally presented at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 11 October in Melbourne.

Established in 1985, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame plays a vital role in preserving and perpetuating Australia’s rich sporting heritage, whilst promoting the values of courage, sportsmanship, integrity, mateship, persistence, and excellence, all underpinned by generosity, modesty, pride and ambition

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