Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton presented certificates to Local Sporting Champions recipients Riley Bond and Max Handley, who represented Dubbo in national futsal and billiards and snooker championships, respectively.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has congratulated six young athletes from his electorate who have received financial assistance to fulfill their sporting dreams.

The young sportspeople from Dubbo and Broken Hill have received grants of up to $750 to assist with the costs associated with participating in national and international sporting championships, under the Local Sporting Champions program.

Mr Coulton last week presented certificates to two of the seven athletes during a special afternoon tea in his Dubbo electorate office.

“Congratulations to Ella Penman, Jack Deveson, Jacob Fordham, Max Handley, Riley Bond and Scarlett Molloy who are each kicking goals in their respective sporting endeavours,” Mr Coulton said.

“Representing their schools and state in athletics, motorcycling, billiards and snooker, futsal, and swimming, these talented young athletes each competed at the national and even international level, which is a fantastic achievement.

“They are excellent representatives of the Parkes electorate and I’m pleased these grants helped them reach their sporting goals.

“We have a great deal of sporting talent here in the Parkes electorate, however many of our young sportspeople who compete at a representative level have to travel large distances to participate which can be very costly.

“This program greatly assists families to ensure their children can continue competing in the sport they love without worrying about the financial burden.”

Administered by the Australian Sports Commission, the Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged between 12 and 18 who are participating in state, national or international sporting championships.

Successful applicants will receive $500 to $750 to contribute towards associated costs, including travel, accommodation, uniforms and sporting equipment.

For more information about future rounds, visit sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions

Local Sporting Champions Round 3 2023/24 recipients in the Parkes electorate:

• Ella Penman from Dubbo – Represented St John’s College Dubbo in the 2023 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Floreat, Western Australia
• Jack Deveson from Dubbo – Represented the Motorcycling Australia Husqvarna Junior Racing Team at the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix
• Jacob Fordham from Dubbo – Represented the NSW PSSA in the School Sport Australia Athletics Championships in St Leonards, Tasmania
• Max Handley from Dubbo – Represented NSW at the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council National Junior Championships in Albury, New South Wales
• Riley Bond from Dubbo – Represented NSW Country at the Football Australia National Futsal Championships in Carrara, Queensland
• Scarlett Molloy from Broken Hill – Represented Silver City Swim Club at the 2024 Australian Age Championships in Southport, Queensland