Forty-four of the region's most talented young athletes were celebrated for their sporting achievements today at the offices of Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan.

Mr Hogan said forty-four was a phenomenal number, which shows, for our electorate, "we do exceptionally well". Other electorates close by reward 10-20 athletes.

The Local Young Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. Athletes and parents can apply for grants of between $500 and $800 to help with their travel and accommodation when competing in their chosen field.

The young athletes also received a certificate in recognition of their achievements.

(Athletes and parents at Kevin Hogan's temporary office in Goonellabah)

Those achievements included hockey players, swimmers, athletics, rugby league, rugby union players, touch football, netball, volleyball and baseball.

“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the state, national and international stage,” Mr Hogan said.

“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.”

As an example, the state championships for baseball were held in Taree, the hockey state championships in Wagga Wagga and the state championships in Sydney for swimming. While the grant doesn't cover all the costs, it is very much welcomed by all the parents in the room.

Two worthy recipients were Daniel and Makayla Frey from Nimbin. They excel in athletics, Daniel in the shotput and Makayla as a triple jumper.

(They Frey family, May, Daniel, Makayla and Michael)

Makayla's travel was to Perth to compete in the National All School Titles in Perth where she won her event, followed by a fourth in the Australian Championships Under 16s in Adelaide in April.

Daniel's travel required a visa, as he competed in Fiji in the Oceania Championships Under 18s where he finished second, which qualified him for the Nationals.

Proud parents Michael and May Frey said that puts Daniel in the Top 20 juniors in the world.

When athletes start competing internationally, the costs rise drastically. Daniel's trip to Fiji cost $5,000, which was funded with some busking by Daniel on the streets of Nimbin, crowd funding and the support of local sponsors like Uri Ross Real Estate in Nimbin.

Michael and May will be paying for their children to achieve their dreams for a while as training is in Lismore and the Tweed. Eventually, Daniel and Makayla will need to look at moving to Brisbane for more elite coaching and to train in the best facilities.

The dream is to represent Australia at the Olympics and to be part of the Australian team for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. In the short term, Daniel's goal is the World Junior Championships in Oregon, U.S., in 2026, which is Under 20s.

“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," Mr Hogan said.

“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.”

The full list of today's recipients are:

• Lachlan Elphick from Goonellabah - Rugby Union
• Archie Sauer from Evans Head - Rugby Union
• Oliver Collings from McLeans Ridges - Rugby Union
• Mikayla Frey from Nimbin - Athletics
• Daniel Frey Nimbin - Athletics
• Quin Fisher-Nicholls from Spring Grove - Baseball
• Hannah Danforth from Lismore - Hockey
• Kitty Danforth from Lismore - Hockey
• Harry Hosking from Alstonville - Hockey
• Ava Smith from Geneva - Netball
• Jye Barlow from Lismore Heights - Basketball
• Joshua Harris from Kilgra - Hockey
• Josephine Payne from Eltham - Hockey
• Naomi Austin from Boat Harbour - Hockey
• Chloe Austin from Boat Harbour - Hockey
• Ezrah Selesele from Kyogle - Touch Football
• Maria Mitchell from Goonellabah - Hockey
• Makailee Close from Kyogle - Touch Football
• Wyatt Galvin from Kyogle - Swimming
• Jade Boyle from Kyogle - Swimming
• Archie Lassig from Uralba - Hockey
• Jayviah Harley from Kyogle - Swimming
• Lachlan Trease from Alstonville - Swimming
• Sophie Alcorn from Goonellabah - Netball
• Banjora Porch from Goonellabah - Rugby Union
• Reggie Field from East Lismore - Rugby Union
• Harry Kilburn from North Lismore - Swimming
• Padraig Heffernan from Dunoon - Athletics
• Clayton Wilkinson from Spring Grove - Swimming
• Lilly Comber from Bexhill - Netball
• Isabella Rowe from Alstonville - Netball
• Talia Rowe from Alstonville - Netball
• Caelan Cooper from Evans Head - Volleyball
• Darcy Porch from Goonellabah - Touch Football
• Evie North from Wollongbar - Touch Football
• Max Venables from Goonellabah - Hockey
• Chloe Keep from Shannon Brook - Netball
• Jaymie-Rose Leadley from Casino - Netball
• Lexi Cadman from Shannon Brook - Netball
• Taylah Pederson from Casino - Netball
• Alice Shields from Casino - Netball
• Paiten Hampson from Greenridge - Netball
• George Mitchell from Goonellabah - Hockey
• Paige Dalby from Broadwater - Swimming