Our People
6 September, 2026
Backing the Blizzard one parma at a time
ARARAT RSL is throwing its support behind local Olympian Sarah Blizzard, launching a new promotion that will see $1 from every parma sold go towards supporting her bobsleigh career.
Additionally the Blizzard Supreme Parma has been created in honour of the Ararat athlete, with the promotion aiming to raise $10,000 over the next year to help fund her journey towards future international competition.
Ms Blizzard said the support was particularly meaningful, going from Ararat local to world cup competitor. “It's tough being in a self-funded sport and coming from such a small community like this, I'm incredibly grateful for the RSL jumping on board,” she said. “It's kind of a really fun way to support me, bringing the community together, which I think is pretty amazing. Every little bit helps on my journey and this is a pretty big bit.”
With the World Cup on the horizon later this year, Ms Blizzard is back in training as she prepares to return to the international stage, with the World Championships scheduled for February 2027.
The Olympian said returning to Ararat following the Olympics had highlighted the strong support she has received from her hometown. “It's been awesome coming back to Ararat after the Olympics, everyone has been so supportive,” she said.
Ms Blizzard hopes her sporting journey can also inspire young people in the community to pursue their ambitions. “I hope that I do show all the young kids and all the young girls that you can go and do whatever you want,” she said. “Not even just for sport, you can go travel the world, you can reach your dreams. You just have to work really hard and you'll get there.”
Ararat RSL General Manager Maria Whitford said supporting the local athlete was a natural fit for the organisation.
“Sarah came to us looking for sponsors and knowing that her dad is a veteran, it fitted really well, and she's a homegrown athlete so it was easy for us,” she said. “We wanted to make it a bit of fun and make it ongoing, so that's how we came up with the idea of a dollar a parma.”
RSL President Scott Rigby said the organisation was proud to support a local athlete. “Anything for the community and homegrown heroes. With Dad as a veteran, it's right in our wheelhouse,” he said. “So it was a no-brainer, so we look forward to supporting her.”
The promotion will run for a year, with the RSL hoping the fundraiser can continue to support Blizzard's journey in the years ahead. “Hopefully we can do it year after year until she gets to the Olympics in 2030,” Ms Whitford said. “We are pretty proud of Sarah.”
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