Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has congratulated Ellie McCarthy and Jesse Manwaring, both 14, for each receiving a $500 grant under the Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions programme. “We have a great number of incredibly talented sporting stars in the Hume electorate, and with that talent comes a significant time and monetary commitment from parents,” Mr Taylor said.

“This grant goes some way to helping meet the costs – for equipment, fees, uniforms, training or transportation – for young people who have represented themselves and their town at a state or national level.” Mr Taylor said Ellie received funding for State Age Netball in June this year. Ellie said she felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to compete in a sport she loved. Jesse received funding for participation in the 2015 All Schools NSW Championships and the PSSA Cross Country Championship.

He is passionate about long distance running and is just winding up a 16 day tour to Las Vegas competing in four different cross country events. “The commitment of Ellie and Jesse to sport is incredible. I note they are involved in a number of different sports including soccer. They were both committed enough to complete the local sporting champions paperwork themselves, which was great to see.”

More than 20 young sportspeople from Hume were awarded $500 grants under the Local Sporting Champions Round 1 programme for 2015, with another round to come later this year. For more information go to http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/local_sporting_champions