Our 2026-27 Aintree Group Sponsorship Recipients
Part of upholding our values of being courageous custodians of our community includes sponsoring local charity events, athletes, artists and fundraising campaigns. This is a way we can directly and tangibly support our wider community and make a difference.
We believe success is measured not only by performance, but by the positive impact we create. We’re proud to represent the following athletes, whose values and commitment to giving back reflect our own.
In 2026-27, we are very proud to be sponsoring:
- Australian Canoe Slalom Athletes: Tristan Carter, Kaylen Bassett, Lachlan Bassett
- Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Athlete: Merle Long
- Triathlete: Mikayla Messer
- Soccer Player: Justeen Kruger
- Sprinter: Bec Bennett
Meet the Sponsees:
Tristan Carter
Australian Canoe Slalom Athlete | Olympian
Tristan Carter is a Melbourne-born Australian Canoe Slalom athlete who has represented Australia internationally since he was 14.
A two-time Oceania Men’s C1 Champion, the 2024 Australian Men’s C1 Champion, Tristan also proudly represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he finished ninth in the Men’s Canoe Slalom and also competed in Kayak Cross.
In 2026, Tristan is representing Australia at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series across Europe before competing at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma, USA.
Aintree Group is proud to support Tristan as he continues competing on the world stage, helping ease the costs of travel, equipment and time away from work so he can focus on performing at his best.
A two-time Oceania Men’s C1 Champion, the 2024 Australian Men’s C1 Champion, Tristan also proudly represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he finished ninth in the Men’s Canoe Slalom and also competed in Kayak Cross.
In 2026, Tristan is representing Australia at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series across Europe before competing at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma, USA.
Aintree Group is proud to support Tristan as he continues competing on the world stage, helping ease the costs of travel, equipment and time away from work so he can focus on performing at his best.
Kaylen Bassett
Australian Canoe Slalom Athlete
Kaylen Bassett is an Australian Canoe Slalom and Wildwater athlete.
His career highlights include multiple Oceania Vice-Champion medals, winning the Paddle Australia Paddler of the Year Award, and winning a bronze medal in the Men’s C1 event at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at his home course in Penrith, NSW.
Having qualified for the Australian Men’s C1 team, Kaylen is competing at the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit and will represent Australia at the 2026 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Aintree Group and Kaylen have been in partnership for many years, and we are proud to support his preparation as he campaigns for a spot at the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
His career highlights include multiple Oceania Vice-Champion medals, winning the Paddle Australia Paddler of the Year Award, and winning a bronze medal in the Men’s C1 event at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at his home course in Penrith, NSW.
Having qualified for the Australian Men’s C1 team, Kaylen is competing at the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit and will represent Australia at the 2026 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Aintree Group and Kaylen have been in partnership for many years, and we are proud to support his preparation as he campaigns for a spot at the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
Lachlan Bassett
Australian Canoe Slalom Athlete
Lachlan Bassett is a Melbourne-born Australian Canoe Slalom athlete who discovered the sport through Ivanhoe Grammar School’s kayaking program.
His achievements include selection in the Australian Senior Wildwater Team, victory in the 2018 Wildwater Sprint Grand Prix, and a runner-up finish at the New Zealand Canoe Slalom Championships.
In 2026, Lachlan was selected to represent Australia at the Canoe Slalom World Championships and three ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup events across Europe.
Our sponsorship helps Lachlan continue competing internationally while balancing the demands of training, travel and work as he pursues success on the world stage.
His achievements include selection in the Australian Senior Wildwater Team, victory in the 2018 Wildwater Sprint Grand Prix, and a runner-up finish at the New Zealand Canoe Slalom Championships.
In 2026, Lachlan was selected to represent Australia at the Canoe Slalom World Championships and three ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup events across Europe.
Our sponsorship helps Lachlan continue competing internationally while balancing the demands of training, travel and work as he pursues success on the world stage.
Mikayla Messer
Triathele
Mikayla is a Brisbane-based triathlete who regularly competes in international events and is passionate about connecting with people and cultures through sport.
Her recent achievements include a top-ten finish at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Ironman and second place at the VI Half Gasteiz in Spain.
In 2026, Mikayla is preparing for the Shanghai Ironman 70.3 and the Zarautz Triathlon as she continues building her international racing career.
Giving back is just as important to Mikayla as competing. We’re proud to support her athletic goals while helping make it possible for her to return to the hospital and aged-care volunteering she’s passionate about.
Her recent achievements include a top-ten finish at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Ironman and second place at the VI Half Gasteiz in Spain.
In 2026, Mikayla is preparing for the Shanghai Ironman 70.3 and the Zarautz Triathlon as she continues building her international racing career.
Giving back is just as important to Mikayla as competing. We’re proud to support her athletic goals while helping make it possible for her to return to the hospital and aged-care volunteering she’s passionate about.
Merle Long
Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Athlete
Merle Long is a Penrith-based Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross athlete who is also studying nursing at Western Sydney University, combining his passion for elite sport with a future career in healthcare.
His career highlights include a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Junior World Championships, while in 2026 he continued to build momentum with a sixth-place finish in the Kayak Cross at the Prague World Cup.
This year, Merle will also represent Australia at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma, USA.
We’re proud to back Merle as he continues developing on the international stage, supporting his journey towards future World Championship and Olympic success.
His career highlights include a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Junior World Championships, while in 2026 he continued to build momentum with a sixth-place finish in the Kayak Cross at the Prague World Cup.
This year, Merle will also represent Australia at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma, USA.
We’re proud to back Merle as he continues developing on the international stage, supporting his journey towards future World Championship and Olympic success.
Bec Bennett
400m Sprinter
Bec Bennett is an Australian 400-metre sprinter and former World Championships relay representative.
After qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Bec stepped away from elite competition for several years before making an inspiring return to the sport in 2024.
She has since rejoined the Australian 4x400m relay squad and continues to chase her lifetime best as she works towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
We’re proud to support Bec’s return to international competition as she continues pursuing the Olympic dream with resilience and determination.
After qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Bec stepped away from elite competition for several years before making an inspiring return to the sport in 2024.
She has since rejoined the Australian 4x400m relay squad and continues to chase her lifetime best as she works towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
We’re proud to support Bec’s return to international competition as she continues pursuing the Olympic dream with resilience and determination.
Justeen Kruger
Goalkeeper for Australian Deaf Soccer Team
Justeen Kruger is a goalkeeper for the Australian Deaf Women’s Football Team, a Deaflympian trainer and a women’s goalkeeping coach based in Ipswich, Queensland.
She was named Australia’s Deaf Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024 and proudly represented Australia at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Our sponsorship helps Justeen continue competing at the highest level, supporting the travel, training and coaching required to represent Australia while inspiring greater awareness, opportunity and inclusion through sport.
She was named Australia’s Deaf Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024 and proudly represented Australia at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Our sponsorship helps Justeen continue competing at the highest level, supporting the travel, training and coaching required to represent Australia while inspiring greater awareness, opportunity and inclusion through sport.
Want to get involved in our sponsorship program for the 2026-27 financial year?
We offer sponsorships on a Financial Year basis to elite athletes competing for or representing Australia.
To help manage the large volume of applications we receive, we open up sponsorship applications during a specific window from 1 January to 1 March.
