Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:37) 

The Hunter has produced a remarkable stack of professional and elite athletes, and I want to make sure that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent so that our next generation of superstars also comes from the Hunter. Participating in high-level sport comes at a cost, and it's mostly the parents who put their hands in their pockets to get their kids to these competitions. The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people to compete, coach and umpire in their chosen sports. These small grants make a significant difference to the athletes and their parents.

I want to congratulate our recent local sporting champions. Aaliyah Kilroy competed in the National Youth Championships for soccer; Hudson Caban went to the Australian School Sport Australia championship for hockey; Jacey Coote competed in the Karate Australia national championships; Valentina Costa swam in the Australian Short Course Swimming Championships and the Australian Open Championships; Phoenix and Leura Russell both went to the 2024 School Sport Australia all-girls Australian football championships; Joel Beashel competed in the 2024 Youth Match Racing World Championship, an international sailing event; and, finally, Drew Kremer went to the Australian Junior Motocross Championships. Congratulations to all of these local sporting champions from the Hunter. Stay committed, train hard and keep doing what you're doing. We'll always continue to support you. Thank you.