Llew O’Brien congratulates successful sport grant applicants

Sports stars from Maryborough to Noosa are another step closer to achieving their dreams as they get ready to compete on state and national levels.

More than 30 athletes were successful in applying for grants to help cover the costs of state and national competitions.

Young sports stars between Maryborough and Noosa are another step closer to achieving their dreams after receiving well-deserved sports grants.

The grants, between $550 and $750, will help athletes participate in state and national competitions.

The Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions Program intends to ease the burden of sporting event costs including travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation for participants aged between 12 and 24.

“I congratulate these young athletes on their success in the latest round of the Local Sporting Champions Program,” Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said.

“Wide Bay has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful sport champions, and these sporting champions deserve to be congratulated and encouraged on their sporting journey.

“The cost of representing Wide Bay at state or national titles can be quite high, especially when long-distance travel and accommodation is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”

The following athletes have successfully received a grant:

Charlie Shanahan – Noosaville

Charlie Shanahan was recently selected in the Queensland Youth Football side. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Sport: Football

Competition: National Youth Championships

Chase Rendell – Tin Can Bay

Gympie golfer Chase Rendell practices his putting at Gunabul Homestead – Accommodation and Golf Course in 2020. Photo: Bec Singh

Sport: Golf

Competition School Sport Australia 10-12yrs Golf Championships

Delara Mostofizadeh – Pie Creek

Gympie's Delara Mostofizadeh in 2018 at age 11.

Sport: Karate

Competition: Australian National Karate Championships

Dustin Mostofizadeh – Pie Creek

Gympie's sportsman Dustin Mostofizadeh in 2019.

Sport: Karate

Competition: Australian National Karate Championships

Finella Gibbs-Beal – Noosaville

Sport: Swimming

Competition: FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships 2022 and NSW Open Water Championships

Freddie Arnold – Sunrise Beach

Freddie Arnold, in 2021, had gone well in national Under 16 competitions in Newcastle, Mackay and Melbourne and came 2nd in the Gold Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sport: Skate

Competition: World Skate Games 2022

Hamish Chart – Cooroibah

The Sunshine Coast player Hamish Chart. Sunshine Coast Vs UNSW Wests Australian water polo youth championships in 2022. Picture: John Gass

Sport: Water Polo

Competition: U15 Water Polo Australia National State Championships

Jacob Porter – Curra

Sport: Softball

Competition: Boys U16 State Titles

Jacob Wilson – Tinana

Sport: Hockey

Competition: U16 National School Hockey Championship

Jacqueline Grant – Tinana

Sport: Volleyball

Competition: Australian Youth Volleyball Championships

Jai Kendrick – Noosa Heads

Sport: Tennis

Competition: JDS State Championships (QLD)

Jamaya Smith – Sunrise Beach

Sport: Touch Football

Competition: Regional Touch Football Competition

Josh Shanahan – Noosaville

Josh Shanahan is set to compete at the National Cross Country Championships. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Sport: Athletics

Competition: National Cross Country Championships

Kassie Pontifex – The Palms

Sport: Equestrian

Competition: Interschool Nationals

Liam Switzer – Noosaville

Sport: Basketball

Competition: School Sport Australia 16-19 Basketball Championships

Lucy Wilkinson – Talegalla Weir

Sport: Volleyball

Competition: Sport Australia 15 years Championships

Marissa Dalecki – St Helens

Sport: Cycling

Competition: 2022 AusCycling BMX State Championships QLD

Mason Phillips – Glenwood

Sport: Motorcycling

Competition: Australian Off-Road Championship

Maximus Peters – Maryborough

Sport: Basketball

Competition: Central Queensland Junior Basketball Competition (CQJBC) and State Championships

Mia Caple – Sunshine Beach

Sport: Athletics

Competition: Australian Cross Country Championships 2022

Oscar Timm – Weyba Downs

Sport: Sailing/Yachting

Competition: World Sailing Youth World Championships

Paige Robinson – Black Mountain

Paige Robinson and coach Mark Evans. Picture supplied.

Sport: Boxing

Competition: ABA Youth Mens and Womens World Championships

Paul Gower –Maryborough

Sport: Basketball

Competition: Under 18s State Basketball Championships

Roko Knott – Sunshine Beach

Roko Knott in action for Sunshine Coast at the Queensland Rugby Union Schools State Championships. Picture: Kev Nagle

Sport: Rugby Union

Competition: Australian School Boys Rugby Championships

Sian Townsend – Noosa North Shore

Sport: Skiing

Competition: Thredbo Snow Series, Interschools State Championships and AJ Freeride Perisher

Smith Connors – Marcus Beach

Smith Connors has been selected in Australian Youth/Cadet water polo squad. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sport: Water Polo

Competition: FINA World Men‘s Cadet Water Polo Championships and 17 and Under Boys National State Championships

Taj Marsh – Sunrise Beach

Sport: Weightlifting

Competition: AWF Junior and U23 National Championships

Tyler Kenny – Maryborough

Sport: Hockey

Australian 16 years and Under Hockey Championships

Vincent Dalecki – St Helens

Sport: Cycling

Competition: 2022 AusCycling State BMX Championships

Xavier Gomes – Chatsworth

Gympie Gold Fins – Xavier Gomes in 2020. Picture: Shane Zahner

Sport: Swimming

Competition: 2022 Australia Short Course Championships

“There were many applications for the Local Sporting Champions Program and only limited grants are available, but I am really impressed by the depth of talent, the level of commitment, and the ambition and pursuit of excellence that the applicants demonstrated,” Mr O’Brien said.

Applications for the grants can be made through the Australian Sports Commission website.