Wide Bay’s sporting champions recognised

26/07/2017

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

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced the latest round of successful applicants from the Coalition Government’s popular Local Sporting Champions program.

 “I’m pleased to congratulate 20 sporting champions in Wide Bay who have been awarded $500 each,” 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. 

“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

Ella Boot	UK Hungary Boxing Tour	Cooroibah
Caitlyn Taylor	Australian Karate Nationals	Tewantin
Alec Jardine	Rugby League National Championships	Gympie
Dominique Sandow	State Rugby League Carnival	Cherbourg
Kaitlyn Ryan	Westfield National Youth Soccer Championships	Maryborough
Shanelle Adams	National Hockey Championships	Veteran
Kaitlyn Walker	Georgina Hope Foundation Swimming Championships	Pomona
David Mostofizadeh	Australian Open Karate Championships	Gympie
Darcy Rankin	BMX National Championships	Yengarie
Levi McDermott	Queensland Schoolboys Soccer Championships	Cooloola Cove
Abigail Slavin	Australian Boxing Championships	Tewantin
Casey Payne	Australian Athletics Championships	Peregian Beach
Anniston Chappell	National Hockey Championships	Maryborough West
Diarmid Chappell	National Hockey Championships	Maryborough
Ben Buggy	School Boys Rugby League Championship	Gympie
Alfred Watcho	School Boys Rugby League Championship	Cherbourg
Selwyn Cobbo	School Boys Rugby League Championship	Cherbourg
Ethan Druce	Victorian Short Course Swimming Meet	Federal
Bella Smith	Australian Football Championships	Doonan
Traevonnah Fisher	State Rugby League Junior Carnival	Cherbourg

“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.