Will 17-year-olds Macie Nixon, Alissa Mcwhirter, Jasmine Clarke and Lauvili Lili and 14-year-old Vivita Lili one day all play for the Opals? And will 18-year-old Callum Robson, 14-year-old Samuel Ticknor and 17-year-old Zackery McMahon be the next Mick Fanning?
Will 16-year-old Rachael Barlow win Olympic Gold for Australia in Equestrian? Will 16-year-old Bailey Crabtree and 12-year-olds Malachi Canning, Taylor Roberts-Walker and Hunter Roadley one day represent Australia in Athletics?
Will 13-year-old Maalik Moston be our next Ironman, while 15-year-old Zachary Norris takes to the field as a Wallaby? And perhaps 15-year-old Joshua Lee will be a world Wildwater Canoeing Champion and 15-year-old Kynan Davis a world-renowned baseballer.
And will 13-year-old Sharmeeka McPaul play with the Australian Softball team while 12-year-old Hollie Matthews represents Australia in Touch Football?
Only time will tell, but Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 19 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.
At a Local Sporting Champions Award morning tea today, Mr Hogan presented the 19 local teenagers with a certificate and a cheque to help with transport costs.
“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers 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 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.
“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 Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:
- Malachi Canning, 12 of Caniaba, who competed in the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships,
- Kynan Davis, 15 of East Lismore, who competed in the National Baseball Championships,
- Joshua Lee, 15 of Goonellabah, who competed in the Wildwater National Championships,
- Lauvili Lili, 17 of Kyogle, who competed in the NSW State Basketball Cup,
- Maalik Moston, 13 of East Lismore, who competed in NSW State Surf Life Saving Titles,
- Bailey Crabtree, 16 of East Lismore, who competed in the NSW All Schools Championships,
- Jasmine Clarke, 17 of Evans Head, who competed NSW State Basketball Cup,
- Callum Robson, 18 of Doonbah, who competed in the World Junior Surfing Championships,
- Vivita Lili, 14 of who competed in the NSW State Basketball Cup
- Hunter Roadley, 12 of Nimbin, who competed in the NSW Pssa Championships,
- Taylor Roberts-Walker, 13 of Dobies Bight, competed in the NSW Pssa Championships,
- Zackery McMahon, 17 of Evans Head, who competed in the NSW Surfng Championship,
- Samuel Ticknor, 17 of Evans Head, who compted in the Australian Surf Festival,
- Macie Nixon, 17 of Lismore Heights, who competed in the Spalding Waratah Junior Basketball League State Cup,
- Alissa McWhirter, 17 of Goonellabah, wo competed in the NSW State Basketball Cup,
- Rachael Barlow, 16 of Tullera, who competed in the World Equestrian Games,
- Zachary Norris, 15 of Lismore, who competed in the U15s Junior Rugby Union Gold Cup,
- Hollie Matthews, 12 of Goonellabah, who competed in the NSW Pssa Primary Touch State Championships, and
- Sharmeeka McPaul, 13 of Blakebrook, who competed in the Under 15s State Softball Championships.
For more information about the program, go to www.ausport.gov.au
