Will 16-year-old Alanna Colwell , 14-year-olds Molly Imeson and Jorja Mainey, and 15-year-olds Mia Wright and Evie Wright and 14-year-olds Carissa Miltiadou and Zali Bourke one day play with the Diamonds, while 15-year-old Ashleigh Ensbey takes out Olympic Gold for Women’s Hockey?
And will 13-year-old Morwenna Hogan be the next Leisel Jones and will Alyssa Luland represent Australia in Indoor Cricket. Or perhaps hockey brothers 15-year-old Tyler Gaddes and 18-year-old Reece Gaddes one day win Olympic Gold.
Only time will tell, but Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that these 12 Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.
At a Local Sporting Champions Award morning tea today, Mr Hogan presented the local teenagers with a $550 cheque to help them on their way.
“Those who received the awards have excelled themselves representing the Clarence Valley on the national and state stage,” he 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.
“The Clarence Valley 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.
“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 by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”
In no particular order, our latest crop of Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are:
- Alanna Colwell, 16, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships
- Ashleigh Ensbey, 15, who competed in the Under 15s national Field Championships,
- Alyssa Luland, 17, who competed in the 2018 Cricket Australia National Championship
- Jorja Mainey, 14, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships,
- Morwenna Hogan, 13, who competed in the NSW CHS State Swimming Championship,
- Tyler Gaddes, 15, who competed in the Under 16 Hockey Championship
- Carissa Miltiadou, 14, who compted in NSW State Age Netball Championship
- Reece Gaddes, 18, who competed in the Under 21 Hockey Championship
- Molly Imeson, 14, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships,
- Zali Bourke, 14, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships
- Mia Wright, 15, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships, and
- Evie Wright, 15, who competed in the NSW Netball Championships.
For more information about the program, go to www.ausport.gov.au
