Athletes get Local Sporting Champions grants

Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin has congratulated a Ballina junior netball team and nine outstanding individual athletes after they received grants from the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program.

“Sporting achievements and events are on people’s minds, following so close on the heels of the London Olympics and our exciting performances there and with the London Paralympics only a week away, it is a good time to recognise our up-and-coming athletes from across the electorate,” she said.

“Ballina Netball Association’s 12-years representative side used their $3000 team grant to help with the costs of competing in their first NSW State Age Championships at Gosford recently.

“Coach Elizabeth Shaw reports that her charges finished a creditable 16th against teams from much larger netball associations and had a great experience.

“Team members included Charlotte Cornwell, Georgi Fettell, Ashleigh Glenn, Tara Meaney, Samantha Meredith, Lucy Miles, Charlee Mitchell, Mayha Nowlan and Olivia Peak.”

Ms Saffin again thanked her Local Sporting Champions expert judging panel of SBS football analyst and former Socceroo Craig Foster, Southern Cross University lecturer and sports commentator Dr Dave Arthur, champion canoeist Ros Lawrence and Daily Examiner sports editor Patrick Allen.

The panel had the difficult task of selecting nine individual $500 grant recipients from a very competitive field.

Winners included Brittany Huxley, of Grafton (tennis); Daniel Parry, of Boorabee Park (judo); Zac Beecher, of Ballina (rugby league); Carly Leeson, of Woodford Island (indoor cricket); Jay Meaney, of East Ballina (athletics); Sam Elliott, of Wyrallah (rugby league); Nicholas Harris, of Junction Hill (squash); Liam Foster, of Yamba (Surf Life Saving) and Leah Jenkins, of East Ballina (gymnastics).

Ms Saffin reminded applicants for Round 2 of the 2012-13 Local Sporting Champions that the popular program has been expanded to include State School Sports Championships and international competitions.

For more details go to the Australian Sports Commission’s website at www.ausport.gov.au

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