Grants success for 11 Wide Bay sporting champions

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced 11 Wide Bay sports stars will receive grants of $550 to $750 to help them participate in state and national competitions.

“Wide Bay has a proud reputation of producing outstanding sportsmen and women, and I congratulate these sports stars on their success in this latest round of the Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Wide Bay’s sporting champions come from all communities, they participate in a diverse range of sports, and they do a fantastic job representing our region in state, national and international competitions. 

“The cost of participating in these events can be quite high, especially where travel over great distances is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”

The Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions program supports young sportsmen and women between the ages of 12 and 18, by providing grants to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation. 

The following athletes have been successful: 

Name	Community	Sport	Competition
Cody-Jon Gardner	Gympie	Skate	Champions Cup
Tannar Jenkins	Gympie	Athletics	2019 QLD School Sport U13-19 Athletics Championships
Amelia Garner	Southside	Athletics	2019 QLD School Sport U13-19 Athletics Championships
Harrison Sippel	Redgate	Cricket	2019 QLD School Sport 13-14 Years Boys State Cricket Championships
Kirralee McCulloch	Tinana	Hockey	2020 Australian Indoor National Championships – U13 Boys & Girls
Erin Boardman	Cooran	Softball	2020 Softball Australia U14 Girls’ Regional Softball Championship
Jarrah Kelly	Tinana	Bicycle Motocross	2020 BMX Australia National Championships
Thomas McCarroll	Maryborough	Softball	2020 Softball Australia U14 Boys’ Regional Softball Championship
Jordan Hoffman	Tinana	Basketball	2020 Basketball QLD U16 Boy’s State Championships
Joseph McClintock	Gympie	Eight Ball	2020 Australian Junior Eight Ball Pool Championships
Bayley Crawford	Sunrise Beach	Basketball	2020 Basketball QLD U18 State Championships

“There were 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.”

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.