LOCAL athletes competing at a state or national level were recognised at the City of Joondalup’s annual Sports Achievement Awards.
Emerging junior sports stars of any age living with a disability can apply for the Joondalup Sporting Achievement Grant if they are selected to represent WA or Australia.
In 2017-18, 223 athletes received more than $40,000 from the City to help with the costs associated with competing at representative levels.
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READ NOWMayor Albert Jacob said the athletes who received the support took part in 40 different sports “demonstrating the wide-ranging talent that exists in the City of Joondalup”.
“We also had 19 athletes representing Australia in other countries including South Africa, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Finland, India, Spain, New Caledonia and the US,” he said.
Guests at the awards presentation heard from former Sacred Heart College student George Harley, who finished fifth in the 200m breaststroke at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – a significant achievement after fighting back from almost losing his leg in a farm accident in 2012.
“George is a wonderful role model for our local athletes as his sporting journey started locally and he has achieved a great deal in his career to date, despite the obstacles he encountered,” Mr Jacob said.
“Hopefully all of the athletes in attendance took something away from George’s address and they continue to chase their dreams.”