Truss congratulates local sporting champions
12th February, 2009
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has announced the first round of successful applicants from the Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions program. "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 long distances to enter into major events.
“I congratulate the applicants on the success of their application and wish all local sporting champions well in their 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.
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.
The successful applicants from Round 1 are:
Name Location Sport Purpose
Shaun Marstella Tinana BMX motocross Grant to attend the Australian Titles
Abbey Black Maryborough Hockey Grant to attend the Pacific School Games
Lillian Merlo Tewantin Water polo Grant to attend the U16 National Championships
Brittany Elmslie Tewantin Swimming Grant to attend the Pacific School Games
Tin Can Bay Taipans Tin Can Bay Volleyball Grant to attend the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup
