Will 14-year-olds Jamie Plunkett and Toby Campbell be the next Alicia Coutts and James Magnussen and will 16-year-old Hanna Tait and 15-year-old Krystal McMahon be the next Sally Pearson or Cathy Freeman?

Could 16-year olds Jake Lambeth and Tyler Gaddes play for the Australian men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras?

And perhaps 14-year-old Harriett Irving could win gold at the next Olympics in the triathlon while 15-year-old Tahlia Marsh could represent Australia in bicycle motocross and 17-year-old Kiara Clark do the same in tenpin bowling.

Only time will tell, but Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 9 young Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.

At a Local Sporting Champions Award morning tea last week, Mr Hogan presented the 9 local teenagers with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.

“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Clarence Valley on the national and state stage,” he said.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.

“The Clarence Valley has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent,” Mr Hogan said.

“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.

“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.

“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”

In no particular order, our latest Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are:

• Toby Campbell, 14, competed at NSW State Swimming

• Tyler Gaddes, 16, competed at School sport Australia Hockey International Tour

• Hanna Tait, 16, competed at 2019 Australian Junior Combined Event Championships

• Jake Lambeth, 16, competed at SSA All Australian Hockey Tour to Europe

• Tahlia Marsh, 15, competed at 2019 BMX UCI World Championships

• Jamie Plunkett, 14, 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Championships

• Krystal McMahon, 15, competed at NSW State Little Athletics

• Kiara Clark, 17, competed at Australian Junior Championship

For more information about the program, go to www.ausport.gov.au