Wide Bay’s sporting champions recognised by Llew O’Brien

03/04/2017

Wide Bay’s sporting champions recognised by Llew O’Brien

Wide Bay has many young people with great sporting abilities, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said today.

 

“I’m pleased to congratulate 22 sporting champions in Wide Bay who have been awarded $500 each from the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Wide Bay’s sporting champions come from all communities in the electorate, they participate in a diverse range of sports, and they distinguish themselves in state, national and international competitions,” he said.  

“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 and assist them towards achieving their sporting goals.”

The Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions program supports young sportsmen and women between the ages of 12 and 18, by providing grants of $500 to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.

Name                                 Competition                                                    Community

Ethan Lewis	Queensland Softball State Championships	Ringtail Creek
Bryce Robinson	State Hockey Championships	Maryborough
Lucas Parry	State School Football Championships	Tinana
Henry Hamilton	Queensland School AFL U15	Southside
Casey Dobson	State Touch Championships	Southside
Lachlan Dudgeon	State Touch Championships	Tewantin
Zane Branco	2016 All Schools Athletics Championships	Noosaville
Ayden Hatchman	Boys National Indoor Hockey	Bidwill
Rose Elmer	National Indoor Hockey Championships	Maryborough
Olivia Emanuel	Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Sunshine Beach
Jamie Mills	National Indoor Hockey Championships	Pie Creek
Max Moore	Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Sunshine Beach
Mia Smallman	Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Sunshine Beach
Max Smallman	Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Sunshine Beach
Indiabeau Laborie	2017 Youth Championships	Noosa Heads
Shayla Sinclair	Queensland School Tennis Championships	Tewantin
Damon Exarhos	Australian Gymnastics Championships	Gympie
Amelia Chambers	State Age Netball Championships	Gympie
Lucy White	Queensland Schools Touch Championships		Castaways Beach

“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.  I congratulate them on their success and wish them well in their sporting pursuits,” Mr O’Brien said.

“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.”

To be eligible to apply for a Local Sporting Champions grant, applicants:
• must be aged 12 to 18 years (inclusive);
• must be required to travel a distance of 250 kilometres or more, return.
• be participating in an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed sporting competition.

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 throughout the year, through the Australian Sports Commission’s website www.ausport.gov.au/champions. For further information contact Mr O’Brien’s office on 1300 301 968.