LLEW O’BRIEN CONGRATULATES WIDE BAY’S SPORTING CHAMPIONS
- 7 July, 2026
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who have received grants to help them participate in state, national, and international competitions.
Under the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program, recipients aged 12 to 24 will receive between $500 and $750 to help cover costs such as travel, equipment, uniforms, and accommodation.
“I congratulate these talented young athletes on their success in this latest round of the program,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Wide Bay continues to produce outstanding sporting talent, and these grants will help ease the financial pressures on families as athletes pursue their goals.”
The following athletes have been successful in this round:
Name | Suburb | Competition Name | Sport |
Gorja Ebert | Paterson | National Juniors Wheelchair Basketball Championships | Wheelchair Sports |
Aiden Steinhardt | Southside | 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championship | BMX |
Amelie Potter | Peregian Beach | Qld Senior State Age Titles | Netball |
Billie Mackay | Pomona | Regional Sunshine Coast Australian Football | Australian Football |
Blake Templeton | Kybong | 2026 Australian Age Championships | Swimming |
Calla McGhee | Tandur | 2026 Sports Climbing Australia Youth National Championships | Sport Climbing |
Cooper Sorrell | Cooloola Cove | 13-14 boys Australia Football State Championship | Australian Football |
Evie Toohey | Southside | School Sport 2026 State Championship | Australian Football |
Freddie Broman | Noosa Heads | Karate Australia National Championship | Karate |
Hayden MacDonald | Mothar Mountain | 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships | BMX |
Hunter Else | Rainbow Beach | Queensland AFL State Championship | Australian Football |
Jack Stevens | Neusa Vale | GVM National BMX Titles | BMX |
Lachlan Caple | Sunshine Beach | 2026 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint National Championships | Canoeing |
Lachlan Taylor | Pie Creek | Queensland State Championship AFL 14 year Boys | Australian Football |
Lochie Stephens | Veteran | 10-12 AFL State Championships | Australian Football |
Mac Moore | Tewantin | Aussies | Surf Life Saving |
Madeline Potter | Peregian Beach | Qld Senior State Age Titles | Netball |
Madelyn Green | Oakhurst | 2026 Australian Junior National Championships | Tenpin Bowling |
Margaret Duncanson | Tinbeerwah | 2026 Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships – Youth | Surf Life Saving |
Mia Nugent | Tinana | U16 Hockey National Championship | Hockey |
Patrick Duncanson | Tinbeerwah | 2026 Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships – Open | Surf Life Saving |
Ruben MacDonald | Mothar Mountain | 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships | BMX |
Sophie McClellan | Doonan | SSA National Championships | Swimming |
Sophie Telford | Noosa Heads | Queensland Representative School Sport Hockey State Championships (13-15 girls) | Hockey |
Stella Dunn | Jones Hill | 13-15yrs Girls State Hockey Championships (Queensland Representative School Sport) | Hockey |
Sunny Scudamore | Peregian Beach | Australian Football State Championships (13-14 years) | Australian Football |
Zachary Harrison | Black Mountain | Emerging Socceroos Championship 2026 | Football (Soccer) |
Mr O’Brien acknowledged the high calibre of applicants, noting the strong commitment and dedication shown by young people across the region.
The Australian Sports Commission administers the Local Sporting Champions Program.
Applications for the next round are open until 31 August 2026. Further information is available at: www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
