Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 60 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.At a Local Sporting Champions Award event yesterday, Mr Hogan presented the 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 Northern Rivers on the national and state stage,” 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 Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.” “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.”Our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:Adi Mereiana Cawa from Goonellabah, NetballAlbie Whitten from Caniaba, BaseballAlice Shields from Casino, NetballAmarli King from Goonellabah, NetballArchie Sauer from Evans Head, Rugby UnionAva Lane from McLeans Ridges, NetballCamryn Anderson from Alstonvale, BowlsCharlotte Sams from Wollongbar, NetballChelsea Gosling from Goonellabah, NetballChloe Keep from Shannon Brook, SwimmingChloe Ryall from Lismore Heights, NetballClaire Freeburn from Casino, NetballCooper Dendle from Goonellabah, AthleticsGus Maloney from Woodenbong, SwimmingEbony Andrews from Wyrallah, NetballEmma Green from Fairy Hill, SwimmingEzekiel Kubils from McKees Hill, Rugby UnionFinlay Stevenson from Evans Head, SwimmingFynn Turner from Broadwater, Touch FootballEmilee Reichmann from Leeville, NetballGemma Reichmann from Leeville, NetballGeorgia Dodds from Richmond Hill , NetballGracyn Ind from Woodview, NetballGus Collings from Caniaba, BaseballHanna Formaggin from Goonellabah, NetballHannah Mason from Eltham, Water PoloHarper Richardson from Caniaba, BaseballHarry Hosking from Alstonville, HockeyHenry Condon from Caniaba, BaseballIsabella Cooper from Fairy Hill, SwimmingIsabella Moretti from Lismore Heights, NetballJaymie Leadley from Casino, NetballJosie Carey from Fairy Hill, NetballKaty Bryant from Casino, SwimmingKaytlyn Turner from Goonellabah, NetballKnox Ellis from Casino, SwimmingKyna Rhodes from Goonellabah, NetballLachlan Elphick from Goonellabah, Rugby UnionLachlan Trease from Alstonville, SwimmingLarayah-rose Bolt Dangerfield from Goonellabah, NetballLucinda Barnes from Alstonville, NetballLuella Maloney from Broadwater, SwimmingMacy Batinovic from Woombah, NetballMason Campbell from Bexhill, Rugby UnionMax Halliday from Goonellabah, BasketballNoah Middleton from Caniaba, BaseballOliver Collings from McLeans Ridges, Rugby UnionPaiten Hampson from Greenridge, NetballRatu Isireli Cawa from Goonellabah, BasketballRetrouvailles Banza from Lismore, NetballSamuel Butler from Deep Creek, Rugby UnionSofie Formaggin from Goonellabah, NetballSophie Leadley from Casino, NetballTaylor Hancock from Casino, SwimmingTeo Stavenow from Casino, AthleticsTheo Dickson from Shannondale, HockeyToby Makejev from Casino, Australian FootballTyler Powell from Lismore, BaseballWilliam Bullpitt from South Gundurimba, SwimmingZoe Formaggin from Goonellabah, Netball(Our Local Sporting Champions and their families. Photo: supplied)