Over 200 of regional Western Australia's best athletes have been granted funding from the McGowan Government to help them travel and compete in sporting events around the country.
This round of the Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme will provide $102,000 to 242 individual athletes from all nine regions across the State
The funding will assist the up-and-comers, aged 13 to 21 years', with the extra financial burden they face as country athletes in travelling to compete in regional, State and national events.
The funding will help pay for out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses to attend training camps and competitions.
The largest group of athletes funded play netball (66); followed by cricket (20) and AFL football (15).
In all, athletes playing 31 different sports will receive funding, including lawn bowls, lacrosse, triathlon and flying disc.
Country WA has a rich history of producing elite sportspeople and the Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme is designed to ensure extra support is provided to continue that trend.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"Some of the State's best sportspeople were born and bred in country WA, and this program is in place to ensure support is in place to deal with the extra challenges regional athletes face.
"The State Government wants to ensure sportspeople from the country are not disadvantaged when it comes to competing at competitions and ultimately reaching their full potential.
"This program is designed to ease the financial burden on regional families with young athletes aspiring to represent their State, country, or make a mark on one of the professional leagues."
Minister's office - 6552 6400