Media Releases

10 Nov 2008 - 1800 kids to get grants under Local Sporting Champions program

Over 1800 individual young sportspeople and over 200 teams across Australia will be awarded grants each year under the Government's new Local Sporting Champions program.

Young Australian athletes and junior sports teams will be able to apply for funding to help cover the cost of attending significant or specialist sporting events, Minister for Sport Kate Ellis announced today.

"The Local Sporting Champions program will help young sportsmen and women, as well as teams to compete at significant sporting events," Ms Ellis said.

"Funding will be available to help people aged 12 to 18 years to help cover the costs of attending and competing in major sporting events.

"Grants of $500 per individual and $3,000 per team are available to help meet costs such as travel, equipment, uniforms, and accommodation.

"This will particularly help young sportspersons and teams if they have to travel interstate to compete, or they live in regional or rural areas and have to travel long distances to compete in major events."

A total of $9,000 a year in grants will be available for each metropolitan electorate and $12,500 a year in grants for non-metropolitan electorates to help young sports people achieve their sporting goals.

Applications for grants can be made at any time throughout the year, either through the Australian Sports Commission or the office of the local Federal Member.

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

• must be aged 12 to 18 years (inclusive);
• must be required to travel a distance of 250 kilometres or more, return.
• be participating in an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competition, or national school sport competition.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has been charged with the overall management and coordination of the program and all applications will be assessed by the ASC to check the eligibility criteria of each application.

A list of applications that meet the eligibility criteria will then be provided to Members for their consideration.

"Sport plays an important role in the social life of local communities throughout Australia, and in the health and wellbeing of all young Australians," Ms Ellis said.

"These grants will help local teams and young athletes to realise their goals and will support the next generation of Australian sporting champions."