Nicole (16) is a member of Parkes Netball Association’s 17 years and opens representative squads and regularly travels around the state for carnivals, so parents Neil and Anita Morrison will certainly welcome news she has received a Local Sporting Champions grant, provided by the Federal Government.

Nicole, usually a centre court player, is one of 13 young sports stars in John Cobb’s Calare electorate to receive the $500 grants.

Mr Cobb said the grant would help the young sportspeople with the ever growing costs involved with playing sport, including travel, equipment and uniforms.

“The Local Sporting Champions Program is an Australian Government initiative which provides funding assistance to young sportsmen and women aged 12-18 who are participating at a state, national or international level,” Mr Cobb said.

“The quality of applications for this round of funding was outstanding, with many successful applicants competing at the national level. 

“We’re very lucky in Calare to have some of the most promising young sporting stars, including Nicole, in this country.”

Nicole said she has been playing netball at a representative level since she was about 12 and regularly travels to five or six carnivals each season.

Her elder sisters Darcie and Carly did the same.

Nicole’s next major carnival will be the state championships, to be held on the June long weekend.

Mr Cobb said other recipients of grants in his electorate compete in a range of sports including rugby, netball, taekwondo, cycling, triathlon, mountain bike riding, basketball, touch football and hockey and come from all over the electorate including Orange, Trundle, Parkes, Bowenfels, Bathurst, Wallerawang, Mt Lambie, Blayney and Forbes.

“I’d like to congratulate all those successful applicants and wish them all the very best in their sporting endeavours,” he said.

He also reminded young sportspeople and their parents to apply for the first round of grants for 2015/16, which are now open and close on June 30.

Visit the Australian Sports Commission website for more information:  www.ausport.gov.au/