Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced 22 Wide Bay sports stars will receive Australian Government Local Sporting Champions grants to help them cover the cost of participating in state and national competitions.

“I’m pleased to congratulate these 22 young sporting champions in Wide Bay who have been awarded amounts between $550 and $750 each,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“Wide Bay’s sporting champions come from all of our communities, they participate in a diverse range of sports, and they distinguish themselves in state, national and international competitions. 

“These young sporting champions build on the Wide Bay region’s reputation of producing outstanding athletes and they all do a fine job of representing their sport and their community through their sporting endeavours. 

“This is well-deserved recognition of their commitment to their sport and I congratulate them on their success and wish them well in their sporting pursuits.”

Mr O’Brien said with many sports events cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some previous applications were able to be considered for funding again, and could be used to offset the cost of events that had already been held.

“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,” Mr O’Brien said.

The following applicants 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,” Mr O’Brien said.

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.

Applications for the Local Sporting Champions program are currently suspended due to the growing number of local, national and international sporting events being impacted by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Sport Australia is actively monitoring the status of sporting championships and will reconsider this position as required.

You may still be able to apply for a grant for exceptional circumstances, if you are attending a state, national or international championship that is confirmed to be taking place between 15 May to 30 June 2020.

To be considered for this, please email [email protected] to provide the championship details and your contact information.