Will 17-year-old Isack Rodda be the next John Eels, and will 14-year-old Tayla Fawcett reach the netballing heights of Liz Ellis?
They are among the 35 young people from across Page who were recognised by Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan with a Local Sporting Champions Award on Monday and Tuesday.
“We don’t know how far these young people will go in their chosen sport, but it’s up to us as a community to give them as much support as we can so they can to follow their dreams,” Mr Hogan said.
At special morning teas held in Grafton on Monday and Lismore the following day, each Champion were presented with an Award and $500 to help them on their way.
The Local Sporting Champion Awards provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach and umpire in their chosen sport at a state, national and international level.
“Page has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support our next crop of young sporting talent,” Mr Hogan said.
“This is the second time I have presented these awards and it shows the deep pool of talent we have here.”
“The Champions have all performed on the state or national stage, but unfortunately this means their parents have had to put their hands in the pockets to get their children to the competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.
“I have always believed that sport plays an important role in the development of young people. It teaches them life-long skills like leadership and teamwork, and of course it keeps them healthy and fit as they excel in something they love.”
The champions from the Clarence Valley are Kirralee Monkhouse, 18, who played in the Australian Women’s Hockey Titles; Amy Ridell, 15, who represented NSW in the Junior Indoor Cricket National Titles; Joel Chevalley,18, who represented NSW Athletics at the Australian Junior Championships; Hayden Ensbey, 12, who represented North Coast PSSA at State Knockout; Sarah Kitcher, 18, who played in the Under 19 NSW Netball team at the National Titles; Liam Davenport, 18, who represented State Secondary schools at National Tennis – Pizzy Cup; Kelsey Wilkes,18, who represented NSW at the Australia Junior Triathlon Championships; Carly Leeson, 15, who played in the Under 15 NSW Girls cricket team at the Girls Cricket National Championships; and Sarah Donnolley,14, who will play in the NSW Under 15 Girls Hockey team at the upcoming National Championships.
From further north around Lismore and surrounds,the Champions are Lincoln Appleton, 15, represented NSW at National Hockey Championship, Catriona Bain,15, competed in Australian Slalom/Wild Water Schools Championship; Shy-Ann Barwick, 13, competed in athletics at the School Sport Australian Championships; Levi Brown, 17, competed in the Akf National Championships; Thomas Brown, 14, represented NSW at the Under 15 National Hockey Championship; Katie Budgen, 16, competed in the Australian Under 18 Basketball Championships and Kevin Coombs Cup; Robin Cubis, 17, Rugby Union Junior Gold Cup; Lindsay Fairhill, 13, competed in NSW State Age Netball Championships; Tayla Fawcett,14, competed in netball at NSW State Age Championships; Travis Gifford, 15, Junior Gold Cup, Samantha Glasby, 12, competed in netball at NSW State Age Championships; Jade Grey, 13, Australian National Under 15 Girls Hockey Championship; Christopher Lambrou, 14, competed in NSW State Rowing Competition; Adriana Lisetto, 14, competed in netball at NSW State Age Championships; Alexander Mckenna, 14, competed NSW State Age swimming championship; Mia Mcrae, 12, competed in netball at NSW State Age Championships; Brianna Murphy, 17, competed in State Netball League; Lily Patston, 13, competed at the NSW State Age Netball Championship; Alex Powell, 17, competed in the Under 18 Australian National Hockey Championships; Bailey Powell, 18, competed in the Under 18 Australian National Hockey Championships; Kiara Richardson, 14, NSW State Track and Field; Izack Rodda, 17, Australian Schools Championship (Rugby Union); Taliesin Tardrew-O’Meara, 15, competed in National Under 16 Baseball Championships; Jakira Toniello, 13, competed in the NSW Combined High School Cricket Championships; Bailey Veitch, 16, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Country Rugby League Tour; Lauren Yager, 18, competed in Under 19 National Netball Championship.
