Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to give a big shout-out to three local sporting champions from the electorate of O'Connor—Jethro Wright, Bailey Cronin and Aylah Chadwick—all of whom I caught up with recently. Their sporting achievements reflect not only their individual talent but also the commitment of their families, their coaches and their communities, who support them every step of the way.

In regional Australia, participation in sport at an elite level comes with unique challenges. Long distances to competition venues, the rising costs of travel and accommodation, and time away from school and work all place significant pressures on young sporting champions' families. It's why the Local Sporting Champions grant program, delivered by the Australian Sports Commission, is so important. It provides grants of up to $750 for young athletes aged 12 to 18 competing at state, national or international championships. That's valuable support for those living in regional electorates like mine.

For me, as a hockey dad myself, it was a pleasure to meet accomplished hockey players Jethro Wright and Bailey Cronin at the Wagin Woolorama recently. Jethro Wright of Mount Barker represented Western Australia at the State Schoolboys Under 15s National Hockey Championships held at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra last August. I also acknowledge Bailey Cronin, an even younger champion hockey player from Nippering. Bailey represented Western Australia at the School Sport Australia 12 Years and Under boys championship in Bendigo in Victoria last August.

Finally, I commend Aylah Chadwick, who I recently caught up with in Bridgetown, Aylah's achievements in athletics are truly impressive, as she placed sixth in the under-17 girls individual javelin at the Australian Athletics All Schools Championships held in Melbourne in December. Aylah has since won bronze medals in both javelin and shotput at the WA State Junior Track and Field Championships, qualifying her for the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships in Brisbane.

I close by noting that none of these local sporting champions' achievements occur in isolation. They reflect the determined commitment of not only the athletes but also the parents, who incur significant out-of-pocket costs so their kids can pursue their sporting dreams. That's why the Local Sporting Champions grant program is often so oversubscribed in O'Connor. I take this opportunity to advise that round 4 is now open, with applications closing on 30 April. I strongly encourage eligible families and young athletes to apply. These grants make a tangible difference for regional families and help ensure that a young person's postcode does not limit their potential. I congratulate Jethro, Bailey and Aylah on their sporting achievements to date and look forward to following their sporting careers into the future.

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