Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien has congratulated 15 local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.
The young sportsmen and women will each receive a grant of $550 or $650, to the total value of $8,450, through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sporting Champions grants program which supports participants aged 12 to 18 to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.
“Sports are an integral part of life in Wide Bay and our region has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful sports champions, so I am pleased to help these 15 young sports stars represent our region with support through the Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The cost of participating in these events can be quite high, especially where long-distance travel or inter-state accommodation is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”
Tewantin’s Liam Cuthbertson will receive a grant for the Triathlon State Championship in Hervey Bay, along with Dylan and Freya Wilson from Noosa Heads who will have help to take part in the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships.
Finella Gibbs-Beal from Noosaville will also gain a grant to compete in the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships, while Roko Knott from Sunshine Beach will compete in the Queensland State Surf Lifesaving Championships.
“There are always 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,” Mr O’Brien said.
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, through the Australian Sports Commission’s website www.ausport.gov.au/champions.
