Nearly 60 junior athletes from rural areas around South Australia are one step closer to achieving their sporting dreams following the announcement of the State Government’s Country Athlete Award Scheme recipients. A total of 58 young athletes will receive a share of $35,000 in funding.
Scholarships for young country athletes July 29, 2008
Nearly 60 junior athletes from rural areas around South Australia are one step closer to achieving their sporting dreams following the announcement of the State Government’s Country Athlete Award Scheme recipients.
Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright says a total of 58 young athletes will receive a share of $35,000 in funding.
The scholarships are given to those aged 14 to 18 who live more than 130kms from the Adelaide GPO, including Kangaroo Island.
“While all young athletes devote considerable time and effort so they can excel in their chosen sport, those living in rural areas often have additional challenges in order to access coaching and competition opportunities,” said Mr Wright.
“This can often mean that these athletes and their families have to make sacrifices in terms of time, travel and financial resources so they can achieve their sporting potential.
“This scholarship program goes some way to assisting with these costs and providing the opportunity for these young people to become elite athletes of the future.”
The financial grant of $600 each helps the athletes to access elite training, coaching and competition programs, increasing their opportunity to compete at higher levels in their sport.
The Country Athlete Award Scheme is an initiative of the State Government and is
coordinated by the Office for Recreation and Sport through the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).
In addition to the grant, each athlete selected receives a certificate and t-shirt, and an invitation to attend a SASI Talent Development program.
“Some of South Australia’s leading athletes have come from regional areas of the state and in some instances have reached the most elite level of all, becoming an Olympian like hockey player Grant Schubert who originated from Loxton,” said Mr Wright.
“Athletes from across the state – from Coffin Bay to Kingscote to Mount Gambier – have been selected to receive grants, with sports as diverse as artistic roller skating, judo and water skiing represented.”
Winners are:
Yorke Peninsula
Nathan Francis, air rifle target (Moonta); Scott Grenville, basketball (Moonta Bay); Sara Warren, hockey (Moonta); Sam Agnew, cricket (Stansbury); Grace Bowman, equestrian (Moonta); Jarrad Redden, football (Yorketown); Scott Flint, sailing (Wallaroo); Tyler Flint, sailing (Wallaroo).
Mid North
Kate Hajisavva, archery (Port Pirie); Timothy Dunkley, basketball (Port Pirie); Lewis Johnston, football (Port Pirie); Cameron Joyce, hockey (Port Pirie); Madeline Jordan, hockey (Port Pirie); Casey Whitaker, athletics (Port Augusta); Benjamin Linder, judo (Port Augusta); Kirsty Faulkner, athletics (Clare); Daniel Wallent, water skiing (Clare); Ashleigh Edwards, touch football (Clare); Todd Brand, lawn bowls (Laura); Max Kleinig, lawn bowls (Laura); Victoria Keller, netball (Booleroo Centre); Chloe Joyce, netball (Wandearah East); Renae Krieger, golf (Port Broughton).
Eyre Peninsula
Chelsea Schulz, artistic roller skating (Whyalla); Sarina Barsby, artistic roller skating (Whyalla); Ben Lynch, cricket (Whyalla); Lauren Matthews, swimming (Whyalla); Cameron Zacher, tenpin bowling (Whyalla); Scott Lycett, football (Smoky Bay); Samuel Gray, football (Cleve); Amelia Dahlitz, swimming (Cummins); Tjalari Adams, hockey (Port Lincoln); Daniel Mitchell, hockey (Port Lincoln); Mitch Henderson, inline hockey (Port Lincoln); Austin Cunningham, lawn bowls (Port Lincoln); Boyd West, touch football (Coffin Bay).
South East
Aimie Laube, athletics (Mount Gambier); Stewart McLaughlin, athletics (Mount Gambier); Cory Baker, golf (Mount Gambier); Stefanie Lawson, softball (Mount Gambier); William Somerfield, golf (Mount Gambier); Joshua Searle, athletics (Bordertown); Dale Holliday, athletics (Bordertown); Kate Seebohm, basketball (Millicent); Jakarra Hill, cricket (Naracoorte); Callum McMurray, water skiing (Keith).
Kangaroo Island
Taylor Neighbour, sailing (Kingscote); Teale Vanner, surfing (Kingscote).
Riverland and Murray Jess Fiebig, cricket (Murray Town); Matthew Benson, cycling (Loxton); Hamish Moore, volleyball (Loxton); Bradley Kirk, volleyball (Loxton); Bodelle Stanley, netball (Berri); Johanna Pontt, netball (Pyap); Michelle Burdon, tennis (Moorook); Casey Galbraith, cricket (Karoonda); Casey Gregory, softball (Wynarka); Dylan Ribbons, cricket (Pinnaroo).
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