Support for local sporting champions

Grants of $500 per individual and $3000 for a team are available from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for sportsmen and sportswomen aged 12–18, to help them meet the costs of competing in state and national competitions, such as travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.Applications for this round close 30 June 2009.The ASC established the Local Sporting Champions grant program in November 2008 to assist young sportspeople across Australia, particularly from rural and regional areas participate in state and national competitions.Olympic champion walker Jared Tallent was raised on his family’s potato farm in Newlyn, just outside of Ballarat, and believes the grants will provide much-needed support, especially to those from rural and regional areas.‘When you’re passionate about competing in your sport, being located hours away from capital cities can be a real disadvantage, and the cost can be a huge barrier to competing. This grant will help young Australians get the valuable competition experience they need to continue developing in their sport,’ Tallent said.So far, the Australia Sports Commission has received over 4500 applications to help young sportspeople meet their sporting goals. Grants have been used in a variety of ways to assist participation in competitions, such as helping sportspeople and their families meet the costs of travel, equipment, uniforms and accommodation.The 2008–09 Local Sporting Champions funding round closes on 30 June and successful applicants will be notified in August. The 2009–10 round opens 1 July 2009.

Online application form for Local Sporting Champions grant program.