Mitchell Local Sporting Champions - Round 2 Closes 31 October 2014

The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, is encouraging young local athletes to apply for the Local Sporting Champions program.

The Local Sporting Champions program is designed to support young people participating in state, national and international level sporting championships as an athlete, coach or official.

“These grants help aspiring young athletes to realise their goals. It is a way of supporting the next generation of Australian sporting champions, said Alex Hawke.

“Since 2008, the Mitchell Local Sporting Grants have been allocated to 121 successful recipients across a variety of sports, including Athletics, Hockey, Gymnastics and Swimming.  It would be great to have a broad range of sports, including motorsport, cricket, or tennis, represented in this next round, Alex Hawke said. Pictured (L-R): Alex Hawke MP, Lachlan Cash (2013 recipient), Caroline Campbell, CEO/General Manager Netball NSW and Jane Cooke OAM, MLSP panel member.

 “Applications for grants can be made online through the Australian Sports Commission and successful applicants will be determined by a local sports panel. The panel are eager to receive applications from a greater variety of sporting codes this round.

A grant of $500 per individual is available to help meet costs such as travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.

In order to be eligible to receive a Local Sporting Champions grant applicants must:

-          be aged 12 to 18 years (inclusive);

-          be required to travel a return distance of 250 kilometres or more;

-          be an Australian citizen; and

-          be participating in an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competition, or national school sporting competition.

-          Must complete and submit application to the ASC prior to the nominated championship commencing.

“Throughout Mitchell parents are talking to me about the extra costs associated once their children reach an elite level in their chosen sport. The Local Sporting Champions grants will help families in alleviating some of these costs,” Mr Hawke concluded.