Funding boost for 50 local sporting champions

Wednesday, 18 August 2021

Funding boost for 50 local sporting champions

Fifty young athletes in the Hinkler region – including six sets of siblings – have received a funding boost to help them compete at state and national competitions.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today congratulated the sports stars from across the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg regions who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.

“Sport plays an integral role in our communities, and I am pleased that so many of our young athletes are receiving this support through the latest round of the Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr Pitt said.

“We have junior sportspeople participating in a diverse range of sports – rugby league, hockey, football, netball, volleyball, touch football, basketball, softball, table tennis and pony club – and despite the current challenges of COVID-19, they are all dedicated to their training so they can achieve their sporting goals.

“No doubt many of our local athletes have been inspired by the Australian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, and who knows, maybe we’ll see one of these athletes at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032?

“Participating in these events can be quite expensive, especially where long-distance travel or inter-state quarantine is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, ensure our sporting champions can represent Hinkler with pride, and progress in their chosen sport.”

The grants of between $550 and $750 help support young athletes, coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

The grants can be put toward the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment to participate at the nominated championships.

Applications for Round Two for 2021-22 are open now and close on 30 September 2021. For more information head to: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions

Hervey Bay region recipients:

Gabriel Plains	Rugby Union State School Championship
Kymberly Hillier	Rugby League QLD Girls State Championships
Jonte Linford	Rugby Union Wide Bay Schools Under 18s
Kodie Doherty	Rugby League QLD Girls State Championships
Brayden Lethborg	Australian Football QLD School Sport State Championships
Jake David Woodman	Wide Bay School Sports Football
Hudson Crowder	QSS 10-12 years Australian Football State Championships
Jack Staples	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Andie Staples	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Toby Jackson-Makim	Wide Bay School Sport State Championships Rugby Union
Maiya Evans	QSS 10-12 years Australian Football State Championships
William Hayward	QLD School Sport Football Championships
Sidney Kerr	QLD School Sport State Championships Volleyball
Seth Keal	QLD U13 Hockey Championships
Taj Wright	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Jett Wright	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Rupeni Baravilala	QLD Rugby Union Junior State Championships
Merric Somerville	QLD U13 Hockey Championships
Billy Roderick	Wide Bay Rugby League

Bundaberg region recipients:

Damon Pegg	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Riley Dingle	QLD School Sport Touch Football Championships
Oliver Martin	2021 QLD State School Basketball Championships
Cassandra Ash	QLD School Sport Touch Football Championships
Kaidyn Belford	2021 QLD State School Basketball Championships
Madeline Holmes	2021 QLD State School Basketball Championships
Bellah Cornale	Touch Football Sport 2021 State Championship
Tyler Ash	QLD School Sport Touch Football Championships
Jayvia Monsen	School Sport 11-12 years Rugby League State Championships
Ella Howard	2021 QLD State School Basketball Championships
Layla Collins	QSS 10-12 years Australian Football State Championships
Toby Collins	Australian Football QLD School Sport State Championships
Elian Calderon	QLD School Sport State Championships Volleyball
Taj Cooper	QLD State Touch Football Championships
Joseph Richards	QLD School Sport State Championships Volleyball
Samuel Aitkenhead	QLD School Sports Hockey Championships
Kate Morcom	QSS 10-12 years Australian Football State Championships
Thomas Morcom	QLD School Rugby League State Championships
Preston Walsh	QLD School Sport Touch Football Championships
Connor Castelli	QLD U13 Hockey Championships
Sophie Castelli	QLD State Championships U15 Girls Hockey
Andrew Udal	2021 National Junior Championships Table Tennis
Madison Wick	QLD State Softball Championships
Zye Stanley	Rugby League 11-12 years Boys State Championships
Nathan Eggmolesse	U12 School Boys State Championships Touch Football
Jessica Taylor	Nissan State Age Championships Netball
Cayde Lister	10-12 years QLD Touch Football State Championships
Jackson Howard	Junior State Championships Hockey
Riley Howard	QLD U18 State Championships Hockey
Abbie Zande	Nissan State Age Championships Netball
Charlie Thorne	Pony Club National Championships