Local Sporting Champion Grant for Local Cycling Champions
(l to r) Mercy Bass, Kerry Rea MP, Mike Victor OAM and Tatham White |
Kerry Rea, Federal Member for Bonner has announced a $3000 Local Sporting Champions grant for members of the Junior Road Cycling Team, who competed in the 2009 National Championships in Canberra.
Ms Rea handed over the cheque on behalf of Chris Tarlinton of the Australian Sports Commission to Cycling Queensland President Mike Victor OAM and Tatham White and Mercy Bass, members of the Junior Riders Team.
The successful team returned from the Championships with a total of 9 medals.
Kerry Rea congratulated the young cyclists on their remarkable achievement and said the Local Sporting Champion program has been popular for young athletes in Bonner since it was launched in 2008.
“To be eligible for individual grants of $500 and $3000 for teams, kids aged between 12-18 years must have to travel more than 250km to compete in endorsed state or national sporting competitions, or national school sport competitions.
“The grants can be used to meet travel costs, accommodation, uniforms or equipment. Grants are also open to young coaches, umpires and referees,” said Ms Rea.
State Development and Media Manager of Cycling Queensland, Mr Ben MacFie was thrilled with the grant, which has made a huge contribution to the costs of competitive cycling for the young cyclists.
“The $3000 grant which has been gratefully received by Cycling Queensland will be distributed equally to all members of the 2009 Queensland Junior Road Cycling Team to offset the cost incurred for attending these championships and assist with their ongoing development and opportunities to compete,” said Mr MacFie.
Since attending the National Championships, Tatham has gone on to win state championship medals in the track discipline and has moved up to represent Queensland in the U19 age division at the National Track Cycling Championships where he performed strongly. Mercy who was in the U15 division last year has moved up to the u17s. The Queensland Junior Road Cycling Team which will compete in Canberra from September 3-5.
