LLEW O’BRIEN CONGRATULATES WIDE BAY’S SPORTING CHAMPIONS

November 25, 2024

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state, national, and international competitions.

The young sportsmen and women will each receive a grant of between $500 to $750, through the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program, which supports participants aged 12 to 24 to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation. 

“I congratulate these young athletes on their success in the latest round of the Local Sporting Champions program. Wide Bay has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful athletes, and these sporting champions deserve to be congratulated and encouraged on their sporting journey,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The cost of representing Wide Bay at state or national titles can be quite high, especially when long-distance travel and accommodation is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”

The following athletes have been successful in this round: 

Name

Suburb

Sport 

Competition

Zach Heffernan

Tewantin

Cross Country

School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships

Tyler Kenny

Maryborough

Hockey

U18 Men’s Australian Hockey Championships

Samuel Darbyshire

Tuchekoi

Sailing/Yachting

Eastern Seaboard Regatta- Thailand

Mitchell Wilcox

Maryborough

Hockey

2024 Hockey Australia Under 14 Championships Perth

Mia Waite

Noosa Heads

Surfing

2024 Australian Surf Championships

Mia Nugent

Tinana

Hockey

Australian National Championship Outdoor Hockey U14G -Perth

Mia Caple

Sunshine Beach

Cross Country

Cross Country National Championships

Max Ketterer

Veteran

Mountain Bike

Auscycling National Enduro Championship

Maci Ritchie

Marys Creek

Athletics

10-12 yrs B & G SSA National Championships

Lachlan Britten

Cooroy

Touch Football

National Youth Championship – Touch Australia

Jarlan I’Anson

Southside

Touch Football

National Youth Championship – Touch Australia

Jai Taylor

Peregian Beach

Surfing

IBC World Tour Maldives Pro

Jackson Skinner

Peregian Beach

Futsal

2025 National Futsal Championships

Grace Collins

Cooroy

Equestrian

2024 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships

Cooper Fraser

Tamaree

Touch Football

National Youth Championship – Touch Australia

Arianah Bazzan

Chatsworth

Equestrian

2024 Australian Interschool 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. The next round of Local Sporting Champions program is open until 31 January 2025. For more information, please visit www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions

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.