POPULAR sports such as basketball, netball and athletics were represented, as usual, but this year petanque, fencing and trampolining were also in the spotlight.
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Thirty-two young athletes from the Shortland electorate were recent recipients of grants in the Shortland Local Sporting Champions Grant program.
The grants were presented by Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy.
“One of the highlights of representing our communities is the opportunity to acknowledge achievement in sporting endeavours,” Mr Conroy said.
The successful young athletes were: Megan Nay, Cameron Howard, Kaitlyn Klein, Abbey Taylor, Kurt Donoghoe, Bronson Romani, Colby Robins, Rosanna Jennings, Jonah Anderson, Joshua Redd, Zoe Peden, Jorgie Hills, Tahlie Park, Fergus Tayler, Michael Walker, Jude Jennings, Sienna Eve, Edan Shorten, Jessica Pickering, Remy Lovett, Jonah Pezet, Benjamin Harding, Chloe Smith, Leia Puxty, Ella Spicer, Cooper Severino, Annalee Grove, Callum Sharman, Lailah Clarke, Koby Hall, Josie Allan and Madison Mueller.
The athletes received grants ranging from $500 to $1200.
They are awarded to help local athletes cover the expenses incurred when competing locally, interstate and internationally.
Sports news:
Bronson Romani, of Eleebana, recently returned from New Zealand where he represented Australia in the men's open petanque team.
He will travel to Canada this week to compete in the petanque world championships, and has already represented Australia three times, the last time being as team captain and flag bearer.
Colby Robins is another great example of the calibre of sportspeople we have in Shortland, Mr Conroy said.
Colby is a member of the Newcastle fencing club where this year he finished as the No1 under-13 épée fencer in NSW. Colby has been fencing for only three years.
Jessica Pickering is a member of the Eastlakes Trampoline sports team.
She competed in the Australian Gymnastics Championship in Melbourne, in June, where she won a silver medal in synchronized trampoline; and in New Zealand at the Trampoline Championships and Trans Tasman Challenge in Auckland, where she won the gold medal in individual trampoline and silver medals for both synchronized trampoline and the team event.
Jessica is also the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) springboard diving champion and recently placed third at the NSW All Schools Championships gaining her selection for NSW at the National School Diving Championships in Perth this week.
“The youth of Shortland certainly excel in many different areas, and they and their families and supporters deserve congratulations on their well-deserved achievements,” Mr Conroy said.
“These are all fine athletes and they are all great young people. They know how to set goals and they know how to work towards their goal.”