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:
 

Name

Suburb

Sport

Competition

Aimee Garland

Maryborough

Golf

2020 QLD School Sport 10-19 yrs Boys & Girls State Golf Championships

Ashlyn Steele

The Dawn

Basketball

QLD School Sport 13-15 Years State Basketball Championships

Landen Smales

Peregian Beach

Surfing

Australian Surfing Championships

Kaiden Smales

Peregian Beach

Surfing

Australian Surfing Championships

Thomas Martin

Tinana

Volleyball

Queensland 12-15 Years State Volleyball Championships

Telecia Tame

Gympie

Volleyball

Queensland 12-15 Years State Volleyball Championships

Jake Henry-May

Gympie

Basketball

Basketball QLD U14 State Championships

Rose Elmer

Maryborough

Hockey

QLD School Sport 13-19 Years Girl’s State Hockey Championship

Beth Elmer

Maryborough

Hockey

QLD School Sport 13-19 Years Girl’s State Hockey Championship

Jacob Town

Oakhurst

Basketball

Basketball Queensland U16 State Championships

Hunter Murdoch

Oakhurst

Basketball

QLD school sport 12 years State Basketball Championships

Ellie Scriven

Maryborough

Softball

Softball QLD U16 Girl’s State Championships

Aaliah Skuse Arrevillaga

Maryborough

Basketball

Queensland School Sport 10-12 Year Boys and Girls State Championship

Angus Hetherington

Cooroy

Cricket

QLD School Sport 10-12 Years Boy’s State Cricket 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. 

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.