24 Young sportspeople from Broken Hill, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gongolgon, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Narromine, Ungarie, Walgett and Warialda have been congratulated by Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton this week, after receiving grants of up to $750 to assist with the costs associated with participating in state, national and international sporting championships, under the Local Sporting Champions program.

Mr Coulton presented certificates to three of the athletes during a special afternoon tea in his Dubbo electorate office this week.

“Congratulations to Will Cale, Veniece Coorey, Tully Pickering, Siarne Davis, Sarah McInerney, Samantha Fiechtner, Ruby Clayton, Rowdy Laidlaw, Riley Bond, Oli Chandler, Molly Ramien, Lily Henley, Joshua Brown, Jonty Fowler, Jett Hope, Jack Deveson, Hugh McMullen, Hannah Ryan, Evie Henley, Ethan Ward, Darcy Pollard, Anna-Rose Ward, Amelia Fiechtner and Alexis Whitton who are each kicking goals in their respective sporting endeavours,” Mr Coulton said.

“From swimming, rugby union, netball, soccer, basketball and athletics to motorcycling, polocrosse, wushu and flying disc, these talented young athletes each competed at the state, national and even international level, which is a fantastic achievement.

“They are excellent representatives of the Parkes electorate and I’m pleased these grants helped them reach their sporting goals.

“We have a great deal of sporting talent here in the Parkes electorate, however many of our young sportspeople who compete at a representative level have to travel large distances to participate which can be very costly.

“This program greatly assists families to ensure their children can continue competing in the sport they love without worrying about the financial burden.”

For more information about future rounds, visit sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions