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

4/12/2017

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

Troy Dowrick	National Water Polo Team European Tour	Sunshine Beach
Bailey Steinberg	Pacific School Softball Games	Maryborough
Darryl Bridges	2017 School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships	Cloyna
Richard Bridges	2017 School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships	Cloyna
Shannon Nyberg	The Australian U13 Boy’s Hockey Championships	Southside
Charlie Wright	Victorian Age Short Course Championships	Pomona
Lucy Watkins	2017 SSA National Volleyball Championships	Yengarie
Katie Gleeson	Australian Surf Life Saving Titles	Sunrise Beach
Benjamin Redmond	U13 Boys National Hockey Championships	Maryborough
Ruby Nolan	Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Sunrise Beach
Dylan Todd	U17 Boys National Softball Championships	Cooroy
Emily Lethbridge	Australian National Surfing Titles	Noosaville
Finella Gibbs-Beal	2018 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships	Noosaville
Electra Outram	2017 International Youth Surf Rescue Championships	Sunshine Beach
Braxton Sheppard	2017 Pacific School Hockey Games	Maryborough
Leo Cartwright	Australian All Schools Athletics Championships	Gympie
Matthew Taylor	Pacific School Athletics Games	Walligan

“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.