23 January 2014

Eleven talented young sportsmen and women from the Hume electorate have been awarded $500 grants under the Local Sporting Champions program.

The program is an Australian Government initiative providing funding assistance to young people aged 12 to 18 who are in a state or national level sporting competition.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor was on the independent assessment panel responsible for awarding the grants. “I want to congratulate these fine young sportspeople on their commitment to representative competition. I hope an extra $500 in the bank will assist with their sporting goals this year,” Mr Taylor said.

“Here are some great examples of drive and determination. 18 year old Eden Stoddard from Young – who is currently touring the UK with the Australian All Schools’ Soccer Team – was doing a 300km round trip every weekend from Young to Canberra last year to play soccer. For several years prior to that she was travelling from Young to Bathurst every weekend. Eden’s family have welcomed the financial support and have again thanked the local community for helping Eden with her recent fundraising efforts to travel to England.”

Mr Taylor said the Local Sporting Champions funding could be put toward the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment.

The successful Hume recipients are: Rebeka Picker from Crookwell for national level ACT Under 13 girls Hockey, Samantha Picker from Crookwell for national level ACT Under 15 girls Hockey, William Hunt from Koorawatha for the NSW State Carnival in Clay Shooting, Lachlan Skelly from Laggan for the Tri National International Cricket Tour, Eden Stoddard from Young for the Australian Football (Soccer) Championships, Madeleine Prell from Crookwell for the Pony Club National Championships, Jared Flanagan from Mount Hunter for Under 13 boys Hockey Nationals, Thomas Jenkins from Boorowa for Australian Touch Champions, Matthew Lynch from Bargo for NSW State Titles in Football (Soccer), Casey Wall from Young for Javelin CCC Championship and Aleisha Price from Goulburn for National Championships in Hockey.

Grant applications are assessed three times a year and potential applicants may apply every four months. The next round will open on 1 March 2014.