SUPPORT FOR WIDE BAY’S YOUNG SPORTING CHAMPIONS
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien congratulated local sporting stars who will receive grants to support their participation in state, national, and international competitions.
The young athletes will each receive a grant of between $500 to $850 through the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions Program, which assists sportsmen and women aged 12 to 24 with the cost of travel, accommodation, equipment, or uniforms, when competing at championship events.
“Wide Bay has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful athletes and these young champions deserved to be encouraged on their sporting journey,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The cost of representing Wide Bay at state, national, and international competitions can be quite high, especially when long distance travel and accommodation is required. These grants will help ease the pressure on local families and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”
The following athletes have been successful in Round 3 of the Local Sporting Champions Program:
Name | Suburb | Sport | Competition |
Phoenix Blanchette | Peregian Beach | Motorcycling | Australian Pro MX (Motocross) Championship |
Paul Gower | Maryborough | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Ava McDonnell | Maryborough | Hockey | Hockey Australia Indoor Championships |
Daniel Dighton | Widgee | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Saachi Stiefler | Veteran | Equestrian | 2023 Australian Interschool Championships |
Jackson Skinner | Peregian Beach | Futsal | 2024 FA National Futsal Championships |
Matthew Town | Oakhurst | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Dylan Wilson | Noosa Heads | Surf Life Saving | Interstate Life Saving Championship |
Marlon Andrews | Peregian Beach | Athletics | 2023 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships |
Lola Gibbs-Beal | Noosaville | Swimming | 2024 Australian Age and MC Age Championships |
Cye Negus | Oakhurst | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Clancy Young | Ridgewood | Volleyball | Australian Volleyball Schools Cup |
Hunter Murdoch | Oakhurst | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Layden Shaw | St Helens | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Damian Small | Chatsworth | Basketball | U18 Queensland Basketball State Championships |
Shanti Richards | Chatsworth | Sport Climbing | 2024 Youth Bouldering Nationals |
Myles Hartnett | Cooroy | Sport Climbing | 2024 Youth Bouldering Nationals |
Zachary Hutton | Peregian Beach | Water Polo | NZ U18 Championships |
Mia Nugent | Tinana | Hockey | Australian U13 National Cup |
Liam Cuthbertson | Tewantin | Cycling | 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships |
“Unfortunately, the Local Champions Program receives more applications than can be supported with the limited grants available, but I’m very impressed by the depth of talent, the level of commitment, and the ambition and pursuit of excellence that Wide Bay’s applicants demonstrated,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is responsible for the management and coordination of the program. For more information, please visit www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
Applications for Round 4 of the Local Sporting Champions close on 30 April 2024.
