Funding opportunity for Wide Bay Sporting Champions available
23rd December, 2008
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has invited applications from young athletes and junior sports teams for funding to help cover the costs of participation in recognised sporting events. "The Local Sporting Champions program is a new program designed to assist young sportsmen, women and teams, to compete in significant sporting competitions,” Mr Truss said.
"This funding will provide assistance to young sports participants and teams where they have to travel interstate to compete, or if they have to travel long distances to enter into major events.
Grants of $500 per individual and $3,000 per team are available for people aged between 12 and 18 years to help meet the costs of participating in those events, including travel, equipment, uniforms, and accommodation.
"Sport provides people with an opportunity to learn new skills, improve fitness and broaden social networks, encouraging them to lead healthy, active lives,” Mr Truss said.
“Sport also strengthens local communities by providing opportunities for individuals and teams to share their abilities and sporting competitions are often a major focal point of social interaction in rural and regional towns.
"The Local Sporting Champion grants program will help young athletes and local teams to achieve their goals and will assist in the development of new sporting legends.”
A total of $12,500 each year is available in grants for eligible applicants from the Wide Bay Federal Electorate to help them attain their sporting goals.
In order to be eligible to receive a Local Sporting Champions grant, applicants:
• must be aged 12 to 18 years (inclusive);
• must be required to travel a distance of 250 kilometres or more, return.
• be participating in an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competition, or national school sport competition.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the program and applications will be assessed quarterly by the ASC to verify the eligibility criteria of each application.
Applications for grants can be made at any time throughout the year, either through the Australian Sports Commission by visiting the website www.ausport.gov.au/champions or by contacting Mr Truss’ office on 1300 301 968.
