Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien today congratulated 14 Wide Bay sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.
 
“Sports are an integral part of life in Wide Bay, and I am pleased that our outstanding young sportsmen and women are receiving this support through the Local Sporting Champions program to represent our region,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Wide Bay’s sporting champions participate in a diverse range of sports, they come from every community, and despite the current challenges of COVID-19, these grants help them compete in state and national championships.
 
“The cost of participating in these events can be quite high, especially where long-distance travel or inter-state quarantine is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”

The grants of between $550 and $650 will be provided through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sporting Champions grants program which supports young sportsmen and women between the ages of 12 and 18, to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation. 

The following athletes have been successful:
 

“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.