Local young swimmers Niquola White, 15, and Sophie Mayes, 14 were both celebrated for their sporting achievements yesterday at an award ceremony with Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan.

Niquola and Sophie both train on the swim team at Lismore's Trinity Catholic College with their coach Simon Watkins.

They were two of 20 local teenagers who received a local Sporting Champions program grant of between $550-$750 and were presented by Mr Hogan with a certificate in recognition of their achievements.

The students at the award ceremony.

“You are elite sportspeople,” Mr Hogan told the young people at the ceremony. “You have excelled yourselves representing our community on the national and state stage.”

Niquola swims freestyle and backstroke and loves racing and she said she made three personal best times when she swam at the State championships in Homebush, Sydney last year. 

“I swam 50 metres in 28.4 seconds,” Niquola said.

The path to being an athlete can be expensive, with the students and their families incurring travel costs to attend events, so receiving the grant money was a big help to the girls and their families. 

“The State championships were a week-long and we needed to pay for accommodation as well and flights to get there and back,” Niquola said. 

The two girls train at least four mornings a week before going to school, and sometimes train on weekends too.

“I get up at 5.15am, then I’m at the pool by 5.45am and swimming by 6am,” Sophie said.

“I love the feel of the water – swimming really wakes me up, so it’s not a problem at school, but I do get a bit tired by the end of the week.”

Sophie said her personal best swim time so far was 50 metres in 28.2 seconds. 

The commitment of the girls’ parents to taking the girls to training early every morning was another feat that was recognised by the awarding of the grant money.

Kalani Franklin, 13, also received an award for representing the State in under 13s Hockey.  Pictured here with his grandmother Doreen Stabb and sister Aysha Franklin.

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.

“Our region has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent,” he 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.

“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.

“With the Tokyo Olympics 184 days away, I want to ensure our local Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams and represent Australia in Paris 2024 or LA 2028.”

The other recipients of the Sporting Champions awards are as follows:

Rugby Union: Thomas Ainsworth and Bryce Spencer.

Hockey Abby: Brunton, Kalani Franklin and Tahlia Halliday  

Swimming: Niquola White, Sophie Mayes                

Athletics: Natalia Hickling, Meggan Ellis, Isaiah Freeburn and Jessica Mckie       

Cricket: Darcy Heffernan and Timothy Martin        

Gymnastics:   Chloe Leeson    

Football (Soccer): Zcharie Hartley and Ederyn Rankin       

Canoeing: Declan Ellis         

Surfing: Connor Snyman-Mulder     

Tennis: Sarah Martin and Amy Martin   

For more information about the program, go to http://Ourwww.ausport.gov.au