| LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS |
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February 3, 2012 Victorian Country girls basketball champions the Maffra Eagles have been rewarded with a $3000 Federal Government grant to assist them as they pursue their sporting goals. After winning the State country championships in 2011, the team ventured to Darwin as one of the best 24 teams in the under 14 age group in the country. The Eagles placed eighth at the championships. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated the team on its success and for being recognised through the Commonwealth’s Local Sporting Champions program. Mr Chester said the team members deserved recognition for their efforts. “Winning the State country championship and competing at the national championships is an outstanding achievement for a small basketball club like Maffra,” Mr Chester said. “The players’ families and the local community must be very proud of their success and have been a big support to the team, helping them with fundraising and travelling requirements.” The team consisted of Coco Henry, Johanna Allman, Maddison Telling, Kristie McDonald, Lillie Schacht, Chloe Risely, Alanna Dorward, Eliza Osborn, Erin Reagan, Paige Biddle and Megan Witchell. The majority of the team will now progress to under 16 competition and are currently in the second phase of qualifying for the Victorian Junior Basketball League. The Local Sporting Champions Program assists with the cost of elite level competition for regional sportspeople and Mr Chester said other successful Gippsland teams should apply. Teams who travel more than 250km to compete at State or National level can apply for $3000 grants with $500 grants also available to individual sportspeople aged between 12 and 18 years who compete in State or National level championships. Anyone interested in applying for the funding can contact Mr Chester’s office on 1300 131 785 or download forms online at www.ausport.gov.au/champions |
