Applications open for Local Sporting Champions programs

APPLICATIONS are now open for the Local Para Champions and Local Sporting Champions programs, which provide financial assistance to young athletes, coaches, and officials participating in state, national, or international championships.

Surfer Max Devery, a previous grant recipient of the Local Para Champions program, didn’t let a broken back keep him off his surfboard.

After surviving a life-threatening spinal cord injury, the 16-year-old is once again riding waves and competing in surf competitions around Australia.

“I broke my T7 and dislodged other vertebrae, collapsed both of my lungs, broke five ribs, and had three chest drains,” Devery said. “There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything again, but the thing I wanted the most was to be able to surf.”

“The grant has helped us out a lot and covered some of the costs of our accommodation and meals during the championships in Port Macquarie.”

Successful applicants will receive between $500 and $1000 to help cover the costs of attending.

To be eligible, applicants must be aged 12 to 18 in the calendar year of the nominated championships and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in Australia.

They must participate as an athlete, coach, or official in an official state championship endorsed by an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognised national sporting organisation (NSO), national sporting organisation for people with disabilities (NSOD), or a School Sport Australia member body.

Alternatively, they can participate in an official national championship endorsed by an ASC recognised NSO, NSOD, or School Sport Australia, or an international competition as a member of an official Australian team representing an ASC recognised NSO, NSOD, or School Sport Australia.

Applications for Round 1 of the 2024-25 Local Sporting Champions program close on July 31 2024. Notification of outcomes will begin in September 2024.

The Local Para Champions program also provides financial assistance for coaches, officials, and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national, or international championships for athletes with a disability.

For more information, head to sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding.