FEDERAL Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has congratulated 24 young athletes from the electorate who have received financial assistance to fulfil their sporting dreams.

The young sportspeople from Warialda, Narrabri, Broken Hill, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gongolgon, Gunnedah, Narromine, Ungarie and Walgett have received grants of up to $750 to assist with the costs associated with participating in state, national and international sporting championships, under the Local Sporting Champions program.

Mr Coulton presented certificates to three of the athletes during a special afternoon tea in his Dubbo electorate office this week.

Recipients include Will Cale, Veniece Coorey, Tully Pickering, Siarne Davis, Sarah McInerney, Samantha Fiechtner, Ruby Clayton, Rowdy Laidlaw, Riley Bond, Oli Chandler, Molly Ramien, Lily Henley, Joshua Brown, Jonty Fowler, Jett Hope, Jack Deveson, Hugh McMullen, Hannah Ryan, Evie Henley, Ethan Ward, Darcy Pollard, Anna-Rose Ward, Amelia Fiechtner and Alexis Whitton.

“From swimming, rugby union, netball, soccer, basketball and athletics to motorcycling, polocrosse, wushu and flying disc, these talented young athletes each competed at the state, national and even international level, which is a fantastic achievement,” Mr Coulton said.

“They are excellent representatives of the Parkes electorate and I’m pleased these grants helped them reach their sporting goals.

“We have a great deal of sporting talent here in the Parkes electorate, however many of our young sportspeople who compete at a representative level have to travel large distances to participate which can be very costly.

“This program greatly assists families to ensure their children can continue competing in the sport they love without worrying about the financial burden.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton this week presented certificates to Ethan Ward, Oli Chandler and Tully Pickering who each received a Local Sporting Champions grant.

Administered by the Australian Sports Commission, the Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged between 12 and 18 who are participating in state, national or international sporting championships.

Successful applicants will receive $500 to $750 to contribute towards associated costs, including travel, accommodation, uniforms and sporting equipment.

For more information about future rounds, visit https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions

Media Release