NSW Nationals: Recognising our Local Sporting Champions

Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 58 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.

At a Local Sporting Champions Award event, Mr Hogan presented the local teenagers with certificates in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.

“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the national and state stage,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”

“The Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.”

“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.”

“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”

“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”

In alphabetical order, our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:

• Jazmin Adams, 13yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Kali Ainsworth, 16yo, North Casino, Rugby Union
• Riley Alvos, 16yo, Tullera, Netball
• Amalia Anderson, 12yo, Wardell, Netball
• McKinley Arnison, 17yo, Evans Head, Swimming
• Caitlin Atkinson, 15yo, Wollongbar, Netball
• Jye Barlow, 15yo, Lismore Heights, Basketball
• Ruby Barnes, 16yo, Richmond Hill, Netball
• Lani Blunn, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Abby Bower, 12yo, Casino, Swimming
• Josie Carey, 14yo, Fairy Hill, Netball
• Lachlan Coe, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Jake Connolly, 16yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Kye Connolly, 12yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Caelan Cooper, 16yo, South Evans Head, Cross Country
• Riley Cooper, 14yo, Eltham, Baseball
• Bella Duncan, 11yo, Richmond Hill, Netball
• Christopher Elliott, 15yo, Caniaba, Gymnastics
• Noah Enright, 17yo, Coraki, Hockey
• Hanna Formaggin, 12yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Sofie Formaggin, 12yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Charlotte Gilliland, 16yo, Spring Grove, Netball
• Brady Graham, 16yo, Codrington, Baseball
• Sarah Green, 13yo, Fairy Hill, Swimming
• Hayden Griffin, 13yo, Casino, Swimming
• Hannah Harris, 15yo, Kilgra, Hockey
• Judah Heath, 12yo, South Evans Head, Rugby League
• Tarni Hughes, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Takiyah James, 14yo, Cabbage Tree Island (North), Netball
• Ella Keep, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Maddison Keep, 14yo, Casino, Netball
• Eden Kelly, 13yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Tahlia Kent, 17yo, Alstonville, Netball
• Milani Kerr, 13yo, Caniaba, Netball
• Harrison Leahy, 13yo, Goonellabah, Athletics
• Tully Magnay, 15yo, East Lismore, Baseball
• Sophie Mayes, 17yo, Goonellabah, Swimming
• Cain McClelland, 18yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Ellie McKay, 13yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Nikki Mckinlay, 17yo, Lynwood, Netball
• Sharmeeka McPaul, 17yo, Blakebrook, Softball
• George Mitchell, 15yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Maria Mitchell, 14yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Morgan Moran, 13yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Matilda Pope, 12yo, East Lismore, Netball
• Dustin Pound, 12yo, Doubtful Creek, Netball
• Layla Pound, 16yo, Doubtful Creek, Netball
• Alice Shields, 12yo, Casino, Netball
• Oliver Shields, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Angus Smyth, 15yo, Alstonville, Swimming
• Edie Stewart, 12yo, Monaltrie, Netball
• Molly Walsh, 16yo, East Wardell, Football (Soccer)
• Hamish Weekes, 15yo, McKees Hill, Baseball
• Ayla Welch, 11yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Georgie White, 12yo, Dunoon, Netball
• Niquola White, 18yo, Boat Harbour (North), Swimming
• Coco Zorzo, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Milla Zorzo, 12yo, Goonellabah, Hockey