Could 12-year-old Ruby Pade and 16-year-old Lachlan Rook be the next Ash Barty and Lleyton Hewitt when it comes to tennis?
Will 14-year olds Aheisha Mcphillips and Lily Hallawell, along with 15-year olds Ella Bhatti and Emily Knott and 13-year-old Alice Webster play for the Australian Women’s Soccer Team, the Matildas?
Perhaps 14-year old Amy Matthews compete in Equestrian at the Olympics while 13-year old Benjamin Warden plays for Australia in Ice Hockey.
Only time will tell, but Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 9 young Northern Beaches Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.
At a Local Sporting Champions Award morning tea today, Mr Hogan presented the 9 local teenagers with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.
“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 Northern Beaches 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 Beaches Sporting Champions are:
- Aheisha Mcphillips, 14yo, 2019 Youth National Championships For Girls
- Lily Hallawell, 14yo, Westfield National Youth Championships For Girls
- Alice Webster, 13yo, Westfield National Youth Championships For Girls
- Ella Bhatti, 15yo, 2019 National Youth Championships For Girls
- Emily Knott, 15yo, National Youth Championships
- Benjamin Warden, 13yo, Ginsberg National Championships
- Amy Matthews, 14yo, Pony Club NSW 2019 Combined State Showjumping And Ode Championships
- Ruby Pade, 12yo, School Sport Australia 12 Years & Under Tennis Championships
- Lachlan Rook, 16yo, ISF World School Tennis Championship
For more information about the program, go to www.ausport.gov.au
