Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am delighted to announce the round 1 recipients of the 2015-16 Solomon local sporting champions grants. Each recipient will receive $500 towards their travel and accommodation costs to attend their national championship event. I congratulate 13 local sporting stars.

Darcy Elliston is a netball player who was selected to play in the under-17s netball championship in Sydney. She has been playing netball since she was eight years old and was very excited to be able to represent the Northern Territory. Who knows, we might have a future Diamonds player in Darcy. Matthew Cox from Gunn played in the under-15s men's national hockey championship in Hobart. This is the fourth year in a row that he has represented the Northern Territory.

Sophie Hatzismalis from Millner was selected for the first time to represent the Northern Territory as part of the under-15s netball championships. We may have another Diamonds star there as well. Badminton player Pitchaya Viravong has been selected to represent the Northern Territory in the Australian under-15 championships in a months time. We are wishing her all the very best.

Rugby union player Todd McManus was selected to represent the Northern Territory at the Queensland rugby union junior state championships. Tenpin bowler Jordan Harris was selected to represent the Northern Territory at the President's Shield Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships. Basketball player Alison Fleming was selected to represent the Northern Territory at the under-16 basketball championships in Tasmania.

Brodie Lake will represent the Territory in Adelaide later this year at the Australian Pacific School Games. I wish him and the rest of his basketball team all the very best. Molly Althouse was also selected to play basketball at the Pacific Games later this year, and I wish Molly and her team all the very best. Jenti White will represent the Territory in swimming later this year, also at the Pacific School Games, and I am sure the swim team will do us proud. Tjina Stoll will represent the Territory in soccer at the Pacific Games. Last year she was picked in the reserve squad, so she is pretty happy that she has been selected this year to play.

Congratulations to Jordon Ormsby who will represent the Northern Territory at the Australian calisthenics nationals and finally, congratulations to Alysa Holmes who represented the Northern Territory at the Australian gymnastics championships.

We have a fantastic array of sporting star across a wide range of sports. The next round of the Solomon sporting grants is open and people can go to my website and have a look.

I also thank my committee. It is great to have Shelley Haynes from Netball NT on board and I also welcome back Jarred Ilett and Lia Finocchiaro.