This morning, Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, welcomed eighteen (18) talented young local athletes to his office in Goonellabah and acknowledged their sporting achievements with the Local Sporting Champions Award.

Each teen received a certificate and a confirmed grant for future endeavours from the local sporting champions program, which helps recognise the local talent in the electorate and also their accomplishments. The grants allow these 18 young sporting champions of the future a chance to pursue their sport and achieve dreams that can be quite costly for parents. 

“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.

“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.

The 18 teenagers ages 12-18 presented were;

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• Ayla Welch from Goonellabah – Netball
• Beth Lockwood from Caniaba – Swimming
• Blair Forbes from Rous Mill – Water polo
• Brock Stenner from Wollongbar – Water polo
• Callum Forbes from Rous Mill - Water polo
• Connor McCarthy from Caniaba – Baseball
• Emerald Dean from Culmaran Creek – Netball
• Hayden Janezic from South Lismore – Water polo
• Hollie Matthews from Goonellabah – Hockey
• Jed Mulcahy from Kyogle – Athletics
• Jimmi Matthews from East Lismore – Football
• Lachlan Duley from Wollongbar – Rugby Union
• Mimi Bolam from Rosebank – Equestrian
• Sienna Rooney from Goonellabah – Cross Country
• Stella- Grace Dean from Culmaran Creek - Netball
• William Bullpitt from South Gundurimba – Swimming
• Xavier Dann from Eltham – Athletics
• Jada Kliewer from Geneva - Athletics

One teenager recognised today (Monday) was 15-year-old Connor McCarthy from Caniaba, who has represented NSW in the NSW U16's side in Baseball recently. He hopes to use this funding to progress further in the sport and even is looking at applying for college-level Baseball in the States as a dream career. 

(Connor McCarthy with his certificate)

Stella, Emerald and Ayla, all Netballers, hope to make it further in their netball goals to a professional level. Part of the Lismore and Casino teams, they have the state competition coming up and will use their funding for travel and as an opportunity to play more. 

“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.”