TALENT NET THROWN STATEWIDE

20 February 2007

TALENT NET THROWN STATEWIDE

Minister for Sport Andrew Fraser today congratulated the 53 sporting gems identified to receive a Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) regional scholarship.

Mr Fraser praised the athletes on their sporting achievements which have earned them a position within the State’s elite sporting academy.

“There is an abundance of sporting potential thriving within our young athletes located in regional communities throughout Queensland,” Mr Fraser said.

The Beattie Government, through the QAS Regional Services Program, provides coaching and support services to identified talented athletes living in remote regions to assist them in developing their sporting potential.

“There is a perception that an athlete needs to move to the city to begin living out their sporting dreams,” Mr Fraser said.

“The Academy’s Regional Services Program eliminates this expectation by providing athletes with the tools to reach an elite level in their sport whilst remaining in their home town. “

The QAS Regional Services Program has achieved significant success since its establishment in 2001 with a number of Australian sport stars progressing through the ranks.

“Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medallists Linda Mackenzie, Robert Hammond and Mark Knowles are prodigies of the program,” Mr Fraser said.

Linda Mackenzie, originally from Mackay, picked up a gold medal as a member of the Australian 4 x 200m freestyle relay team.

Townsville’s Robert Hammond and Rockhampton’s Mark Knowles were members of the victorious Australian hockey team, the Kookaburras.

Mr Fraser said he looked forward to watching the new inductees flourish with the extra support provided by the QAS.

The QAS Regional Services program will hold orientation ceremonies in Mackay tonight followed by Rockhampton and Toowoomba to welcome the new athletes.

The QAS Regional Services Program takes a whole-of-State approach to identifying, developing and supporting Queensland's elite and identified developing athletes.

QAS Regional Services Orientation Ceremonies:

Mackay

Tuesday 20 February 7pm

Ocean International, 1 Bridge Road, IllawongBeach.

11 new athletes inducted:

Sam Bartolo, Jaebyn Drefke, Mitchell Gamblin and Matthew Sturgeon (basketball); Shaun Austin and Matthew Gorrie (cricket); Kirstin Johnson, Helen Page and Matthew Swann (hockey); Alison Sternes (softball); and Natalie Rogers (tennis).

Rockhampton

Wednesday 21 February 7pm

Travel Lodge Hotel, 86 Victoria Parade, Rockhampton.

11 new athletes inducted:

Alex Brady, Morgan Munson and Lara Napier (basketball); Jessica Jonassen, Rowan Murray and Preston White (cricket); Boyd Watts (golf); Matt Gohdes and Casey Lee (hockey); Matthew White (swimming); and Dylan Long (tennis).

Toowoomba

Tuesday 27 February 7pm

QualityHotelBurke and Wills Toowoomba, 554 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.

11 new athletes inducted:

William Hanton, Mitchell Hogan, Brendan Jones and Jo-Ann Verrall (cricket); Brentt Buschel, Kristopher Glass and Craig Smith (hockey) Kaitlin Faulkner, Andrew Thompson and Alastair Bell (swimming); and Madison Simmons (tennis).

Media contact: Selina Steele 3224 6509 or 0417 752 833