Congratulations to 15 Wide Bay sporting champions
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien today congratulated 15 local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.
The young sportsmen and women will each receive a grant of $550 or $650, to the total value of $8,450, through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sporting Champions grants program which supports participants aged 12 to 18 to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.
“Sports are an integral part of life in Wide Bay and our region has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful sports champions, so I am pleased to help these 15 young sports stars represent our region with support through the Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The cost of participating in these events can be quite high, especially where long-distance travel or inter-state accommodation is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”
The following athletes have been successful:
| Name | Suburb | Sport | Competition |
| Amelie Robinson | Lagoon Pocket | Basketball | 13-15 Years Girls Basketball State Championship |
| Cooper Keogh | The Dawn | Cricket | 10-12 years State Championships |
| Paul Gower | Maryborough | Basketball | Under 16 Basketball State Championships |
| Liam Cuthbertson | Tewantin | Triathlon | Triathlon State Championship in Hervey Bay |
| Dustin Mostofizadeh | Pie Creek | Karate | Karate State Championships |
| Delara Mostofizadeh | Pie Creek | Karate | Karate State Championships |
| Sierra Pursey | Maryborough | Hockey | Under 13 Girls Indoor Hockey State Championships |
| Seth Gibson | Maryborough | Basketball | Under 18 Basketball State Championship |
| Maximus Peters | Maryborough | Basketball | U16 Boys Basketball State Championship |
| Finella Gibbs-Beal | Noosaville | Swimming | 2021 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships |
| Ella Noble | The Palms | Basketball | U18 Girls Basketball State Championships |
| Roko Knott | Sunshine Beach | Surf Life Saving | Queensland State Surf Lifesaving Championships |
| Xavier Gomes | Chatsworth | Swimming | 2021 Australian Age Swimming Championships |
| Dylan Wilson | Noosa Heads | Surf Life Saving | Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships |
| Freya Wilson | Noosa Heads | Surf Life Saving | Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships |
“There are always many applications for the Local Sporting Champions Program and only limited grants are available, but I am really impressed by the depth of talent, the level of commitment, and the ambition and pursuit of excellence, that the applicants demonstrated,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is responsible for the management and coordination of the program, with grant recipients selected by a local panel. Applications for the grants can be made at any time, through the Australian Sports Commission’s website www.ausport.gov.au/champions.
For further information please contact Mr O’Brien’s office on 1300 301 968.
