A number of young local sporting champions in Barker have received grants through the Federal Government’s “Local Sporting Champions Program” to assist them in pursuing their sporting dreams.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP met some of the students this week in Mount Gambier to present them with certificates and congratulate them on their achievements.
Administered by the Australian Sports Commission, the Federal Government saw 23 students from the Limestone Coast region awarded with funding from the program this year to help these young talented sports people participate in state or national competitions.
| Applicant | Suburb | Sport | Competition |
| Hinako Holman | Kingston SE | Swimming | 2022 Country Swimming Championships |
| Ashlee Dean | Millicent | Basketball | 2022 Australian Under 14 Club Championships |
| Charles Moore | Robe | Swimming | Country Swimming Championships |
| Corrie Taylor | Stewart Range | Hockey | 2022 Australian Under 13 Hockey Championships |
| Indee Stratford | Mount Gambier | Swimming | 2022 Country Swimming Championships |
| Vaughn Stratford | Mount Gambier | Swimming | 2022 Country Swimming Championships |
| Jessica Holman | Mount Gambier | Flying Disc | 2022 Australian Disc Golf Championships |
| Jessica Oxlade | Suttontown | Swimming | Australian Country Swimming Championships |
| Emily Lambert | Thornlea | Motorcycling | Australian Junior Motocross National Titles |
| Thomas Lambert | Thornlea | Motorcycling | Australian Junior Motocross National Titles |
| Jacob Salmon | Mount Gambier | Australian Football | School Sport Australia National AFL Championships |
| Piper Stenner | Kingston SE | Netball | School sport Australia netball championships |
| William Wimshurst | Sebastopol | Basketball | U16 Australian Basketball Junior Championships 2022 |
| Zeb Chant | Port MacDonnell | Baseball | National Youth Under 16 Baseball Championship |
| Aryan Madan | Naracoorte | Squash | Australian Junior Championships |
| Lucy Dening | Mount Gambier | Swimming | Country Swimming Championships |
| Jack Sharman | Kalangadoo | Hockey | School Sport Australia Hockey Championships |
| Kobe Gibson | Millicent | Australian Football | School Sport Australia National AFL Championships |
| Leila Croker | Mount Gambier | Athletics | 2022 Australian National Track & Field Championships |
| Mia Richards | Bordertown | Basketball | 2022 Australian Under 14 Club Championships |
| Oscar Marr-McGuire | Naracoorte | Basketball | Australian Under 16 Junior Basketball Championships |
| Austin Holman | Mount Gambier | Flying Disc | 2022 Australian Disc Golf Championships |
| Harrison De Garis | Penola | Basketball | Australian U14 Club Championship Tournament |
Mr Pasin said the initiative awards successful individual applicants a minimum of $500 to assist with the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment.
“The Local Sporting Champions Program is available to young people, between the ages of 12 and 18 representing their State or Nation, travelling more than 250 kilometres return to compete.” Mr Pasin said.
“The program is a rolling application process and I encourage all sporting groups and individuals that meet the eligibility criteria to apply,” Mr Pasin said.
For more information on the Local Sporting Champions program go to: http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/local_sporting_champions
Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730
