Local Sporting Champs announced

Joanne Ryan, Federal Member for Lalor, was pleased to present 15 young local sports people with their Local Sporting Champions certificates at her annual Sports President evening on July 1st.

This annual evening, held at Chirnside Park, was an opportunity for sporting presidents and committee members to come together to network, share successes and ideas.

An inspiring panel of sports experts, Steven Reaper, CEO AFL Victoria, Annie Hateley, Community Program Manager-Cricket Victoria and Tim Matthews, Performance Talent Manger- Australian Paralympic Committee also addressed the crowd and provided great insight from their level.

Sporting groups were also given information about various grants and the ‘We Pledge’ initiative from the Laverton Youth Foundation.

‘This year’s Local Sporting Champions are an impressive lot’ added Ms Ryan. ‘We should be proud they have represented our community in endorsed state, national or international sporting championships or at a School Sport Australia state or national championship’

The following young sports stars were acknowledged.

Ebony Biden  Gymnastics  Australian Areoskools Championships

Julia Bourke  Athletics  Australian Junior Athletics

Liam Cashin  Athletics  National Cross Country

Ebony Dodemaide  Basketball  Victorian Champions

Declan Lewis  Athletics  Australian Junior Athletics

Bailey Macaulay  Taekwondo  World Champions

Sophie McMinimee  Athletics  Australian Junior Athletics

Nicholas Masini  Athletics  Australian All Schools Championships

Christopher Paton  Pony Clubs  National Mounted Games

Challis Pene  Touch Football  National Youth Championships

Bailey Phillips  Inline Hockey  National Inline Hockey Championships

Maddison Rocci  Basketball  U18 Australian Junior Championship

Cartier Vasta  Swimming  Australian Age Championships

Paris Vasta  Swimming  Australian Age Championships

William Zheng  Table Tennis  Australian Junior Championships

‘I would also like to thank the Werribee Football Club for again playing host to this event’ said Ms Ryan.

We have a growing list of over 200 local sporting organisations that I regularly communicate with via email. If you would like your group to be added to the list please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Information about the Local Sporting Champions is available at www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/local_sporting_champions

And information about We Pledge at www.wepledge.com.au