Two of Collie’s young sporting stars have received a helping hand from the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Athlete Travel Subsidy scheme.
The latest round of funding has offset out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses for 250 regional athletes, including Collie downhill mountain bike rider Declan O’Connor and cricketer Austin Kent.
The program has supported approximately 1,616 regional athletes since 2013.
Department director general Ron Alexander said the program contributed to stronger participation in community sport.
O’Connor said: “It would help me to get over to places and get exposure, and with exposure I can get sponsors and just work my way up from there”.
The Year 12 student, riding competitively since 2015, was part of the WA Junior State Mountain Bike Team for the 2016 National championships in Victoria.
