Will 16-year-old triathlete Tara Everson one day stand on the Olympic Dais? Will 16-year-old Anika Learoyd play for the Australian Women’s Cricket team? And will 16-year-old Emanuel Sutton play for the Kangaroos while 12-year-old Samuel Moriz becomes an international Squash player?
And will we see 15-year-old Casey Wynne run onto the MCG ahead of a Grand Final win, or perhaps we will watch 16-year-old Lachlan Mihai one day play for the Boomers?
Only time will tell, but Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that these 6 Northern Beaches and Orara 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 Northern Beaches and Orara 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.
“Northern Beachs and Orara Valley has produced some outstanding sports people 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 Northern Beaches and Orara Valley Sporting Champions are:
- Tara Everson, 16, who competed in the School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships,
- Anika Learoyd, 16, who competed in the 2018 Cricket Australia Junior Indoor National Championships,
- Samuel Moriz, 12, who competed in the NSW CHS Squash State Championships,
- Emanuel Sutton, 16, who competed in the School Sport Under 15’s National Championships,
- Casey Wynne, 15, who competed in the School Sport Australia AFL Championships, and
- Lachlan Mihai, 16, who competed in the Under 16 Australian Junior Basketball Championships.
For more information about the program, go to www.ausport.gov.au
