Young Clarence Athletes Earn Sporting Champion Grants
Local sporting talent rewarded for reaching the national stage.
Eight outstanding young athletes from the Clarence Valley have been recognised for their sporting achievements after receiving funding through the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program.
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan presented the teenagers with certificates acknowledging their success while confirming grants to help support their continued participation in state and national sporting competitions. The program is designed to assist young athletes aged between 12 and 18 who are competing, coaching or umpiring at higher levels of their chosen sport.
Mr Hogan said the recipients had demonstrated exceptional commitment and talent by representing the Northern Rivers at state and national events.
“Those who received the awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the national and state stage,” he said.
He said supporting emerging athletes was an investment in the future of regional sport and recognised the significant commitment made by both competitors and their families.
“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,” Mr Hogan said.
The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to help offset the costs associated with travel, accommodation, entry fees and other expenses often faced by families whose children compete at elite levels.
Mr Hogan acknowledged that sporting success requires more than talent and determination, with many parents making considerable financial sacrifices to ensure their children can attend major competitions.
He said sport also plays an important role in developing young people by promoting teamwork, discipline, resilience and healthy lifestyles.
The latest Clarence Valley recipients recognised through the program are:
- Braxn Nipperess(Gulmarrad) – Surf Life Saving
- Clarence Dougherty(Yamba) – Surf Life Saving
- Kayla Hancock(Yamba) – Surf Life Saving
- Lakya White(Grafton) – Athletics
- Leo Dean(Woombah) – Surf Life Saving
- Mostyn Brown(Wooloweyah) – Surf Life Saving
- Thomas Beohm(Grafton) – Hockey
- Zayden Third(Grafton) – Hockey
The list highlights the strength of Surf Life Saving in the Clarence Valley, with five of the eight recipients recognised for their achievements in the sport, while athletics and hockey were also well represented.
Mr Hogan encouraged other young athletes who qualify to compete at state, national or international events to consider applying for future rounds of the Local Sporting Champions program.
The initiative continues to provide valuable assistance to regional families, helping ensure talented young sportspeople can pursue opportunities to develop their skills and represent their communities on larger sporting stages.
