Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (16:03):

The Hunter has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent. Unfortunately, succeeding in sport doesn't just take talent and determination; parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport. Sport is important in the development of young people. It teaches them lifelong skills like teamwork, it keeps them fit and healthy and it allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy. I know firsthand how expensive your chosen sport can be, especially when you're competing on the state, national or international stage. These small grants make a lot of difference to the athletes and their parents.

I want to congratulate our recent local sporting champions: Benjamin Frost of Fassifern, from the Toronto Tigers Baseball Club, who competed in baseball at the Australian youth championships; Charlotte Tarleton of Dora Creek, from the Erina Hockey Club, who competed at the national hockey championships; Elise McLean of Balcolyn, from the Hunter Ice Skating Club, who competed at the Australian Figure Skating Championships; Ben Jenkinson of Toronto, from the Macquarie Shores Swimming Club, who will compete at the 2023 Australian age swimming championships in April; Julie Brummer of Fennell Bay, from the Central Coast Hockey Association, who competed at the Australian national indoor hockey championships; Kiara Jackson of Muswellbrook, from the Newcastle junior darts club, who competed at the Australian Junior Darts Championships—and I just want to say: 'One hundred and eighty!'—and Seth Charter-Smith of Barnsley, from the Maitland softball club, who competed at the Australian national softball championships. Congratulations to all of these local sporting champions.

Sport is at the very heart of our community, impacting on our culture, society and economy. Sport has the ability to improve the health and wellbeing of all who participate, regardless of age, ability, background or gender. The benefits of sport go well beyond just health. You can't underestimate the positive impact sport has had on our culture, society and economy. Our communities are strengthened when we come together to play sport, building a sense of belonging and feeding our national identity.