Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Local Sporting Champions grants allow regional athletes the opportunity to compete at elite levels. This is certainly what Grafton's Tahlia Marsh has achieved. Recently, Tahlia won a bronze medal at the Union Cycliste Internationale World Championships in Belgium. Not only did this win add to the medal tally of the Australian team; it lifted Talia's 13 to 16 girls ranking to third in the world. In 2017, I awarded Tahlia with a Local Sporting Champions grant to attend the BMX World Championships in South Carolina, and in April this year I presented her with a grant to attend the very championships that I just mentioned. Tahlia has been able to build on her continued success due to the commitment of her parents, Grant and Jenny. I also acknowledge that the Clarence Valley BMX Club had two other representatives competing in the championships. Glen Swain made the quarterfinals in the 30 to 34 years Motos category. Glen is also the current state and national champion. Kai McGregor is a relative newcomer to the sport. That said, he made the quarterfinals in the under-12 boys category, which is an outstanding effort considering he is just seven years old. Ammie and Dion McGregor do a wonderful job making sure that Kai has every opportunity to excel. I'd also like to congratulate the Clarence Valley BMX Club on having three of their members selected to represent Australia. What a wonderful achievement!

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