Clarence Valley sporting champions have been recognised for their achievements and assisted to follow their dreams with grants of up to $880 when 11 local sports people were honoured as part of the Local Sporting Champions program on Tuesday, January 23.
At a local sporting champions award event at the South Grafton Bowling Sports and Recreation Club, Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan presented the 11 teenagers with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.
Each of the 11 Clarence Valley sporting champions will receive a grant of between $550 and $880 from the Local Sporting Champions Program, with the amount each will receive based on the distance they had to travel.
The 11 Clarence Valley sports people recognised were:
Charlie Rouse of Grafton – Hockey, Eliana Jackson of Grafton – Hockey, Jye Cone of Grafton – Touch Football, Khyrin Walker-Martin of Grafton – Touch Football, Lila Heyman of Seelands – Netball, Madora Barton of Wooloweyah – Surfing, Max Lobsey of Waterview Heights – Hockey, Milla Stephenson of Grafton – Hockey, Navah Crofton of Maclean – Football, Kobie Stanford of Grafton – Tenpin Bowling, Lindsay Gordon of Copmanhurst – Tenpin Bowling, Andrew Miller of Grafton – Tenpin Bowling.
“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing our community at Regional, State, National and even International events in their chosen sport” Mr Hogan 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 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,” he said.
“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 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 https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding.”