Twelve young Blue Mountains sporting stars have had their achievements recognised by a federal government grant.
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, congratulated six of the recipients of the Local Sporting Champions Grants at an afternoon tea in Springwood.
The program contributes towards the cost of travel, accommodation, equipment and/or uniforms for the nominated sporting competition. Each recipient receives a $500 grant.
“I was incredibly pleased to award our young Blue Mountains sports stars with Local Sporting Champions grants,” said Ms Templeman.
“Taking children to sporting activities costs a significant amount of money. This grant only scratches the surface of the real costs of sending our local sporting stars to state, national and international competitions; but the feedback I’ve received is that every bit helps,” she said.
The Blue Mountains awardees included Springwood’s Simone Aubrecht, who competed in the Australian Figure Skating Championships in Brisbane and later attended international competitions in Bratislava and Abu Dhabi.
Georgie Purcell from Springwood and Jackson Sharp from Wentworth Falls both participated at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Adelaide, where Jackson placed first in the 1500m in his age division.
Sisters Annie and Ellie Smith from Winmalee received grants to assist them in attending a touch football state cup in Port Macquarie, and Blaxland’s Missy Elliott attended a NSW netball championship as a referee.
Three Blue Mountains athletes used their grant to attend the Pacific School Games in Adelaide. Mount Riverview’s Zachary Hunter represented NSW in touch football, Emma Kannengiesser of Winmalee was selected to the state netball team, and Shona Daly of Blackheath attended the games as a referee, an opportunity which she said would assist her in her dream of becoming a national basketball referee.
Wentworth Falls swimmer Kelsey Otto will be using her grant to attend the Australian Swimming trials for the Commonwealth Games team in Queensland. Soccer players Caleb Jackson-Brown of Mount Riverview and Jed Drew of Blaxland represented NSW at two separate events.
“The achievements of these young sports starts are testament to the hard work of both themselves, and their family. I wish them all the best of luck for their future sporting endeavors,” Ms Templeman said.
Round three of the Local Sporting Champions grant program is now open. Applications close February 28.
