Nine junior sports stars from the Western Plains regions are a bit closer to achieving their dreams thanks to the Local Sporting Champions program from MP Mark Coulton. 

The recipients include:

• Joshua Brown from Narromine (Rugby Union) 
• Will Cale from Narromine (Motorcycling)
• Oli Chandler from Gilgandra (Motorcycling)
• Ruby Clayton from Narrabri (Rugby Union)
• Siarne Davis from Coonabarabran (Athletics)
• Amelia Fietchner from Walgett (Netball) 
• Samantha Fietchner from Walgett (Netball) 
• Jonty Fowler from Narrabri (Rugby Union) 
• Anna Rose-Ward from Condobolin (Flying Disc) 

"They are excellent representatives of the Parkes electorate and I'm pleased these grants helped them achieve their sporting goals," Mr Coulton said. 

All the grants are valued between $500 and $750 to assist with costs accumulated by participating in national and international championships. 

"We have a great deal of sporting talent here in the Parkes electorate, however many of our young sportspeople who compete at a representative level have to travel large distances to participate which can be very costly," Mr Coulton said. 

Sisters Amelia and Samantha Fietchner from Walgett were also awarded a grant as part of the Local Championships program to help fund their netball careers.

"They love being in the team. They love the game. They love to watch the game," their mum, Donna Fietchner said.

"They know all the players in the SunCorp netball competition.

Fifteen-year-old Amelia and 13-year-old Samantha have both been playing for eight years.

Amelia Fietchner on the netball court in Armindale. Photo: supplied.

Ms Fietchner said the grant helped both girls attend the NSW State Netball Titles in Sydney where they played for the Armidale District Netball Association.

Samantha has dreams of taking up a professional career in netball, Ms Fietchner said.

Samantha Fietchner has dreams of taking netball to the next level. Photo: supplied

"She has big aspirations," Ms Fietchner said.

Another one of the participants who received funding through the Local Sporting Champions program is Ruby Clayton from Narrabri.

"Rugby has had tremendous achievements throughout this year, including being selected to play in the All Schools Rugby 7s championships in the U16 girls team," Ruby's mother, Jodie Clayton said.

"As a 14-year-old this a tremendous achievement in itself." 

Her mother, Jodie Clayton said the grant funding will help her pay for the travel costs, including fuel levies, and accommodation associated with the trip down to the Gold Coast. 

Ruby was also selected to represent Australia in the U14's Girls Raptors Rugby Academy in Japan in January 2025 and will be attending multiple camps and training days in the upcoming months in the Sydney area. 

 Ruby Clayton has been playing rugby union for two years and is already making big strides. Photo: supplied.

In total, 24 young people from the Parkes Electorate between 12 and 18 were awarded a grant. 

"From swimming, rugby union, netball, soccer, basketball and athletics to motorcycling, polocrosse, wushu and flying disc these talented young athletes each competed at the state, national, and even international level which is a fantastic achievement," Mr Coulton said.