MEMBER for McEwen Rob Mitchell hosted recipients of the Local Sporting Champions grants at his office last month, congratulating them on their continued efforts.
Lancefield resident Samuel Haslett recently returned from Western Australia for the under-16 National Basketball Championships, where he represented Vic Country, finishing fifth in the tournament.
He was a recipient of a grant that assisted with his travel costs.
“Thanks to Mr Mitchell for this assistance, and also to Mum and Dad for all their help and support,” Samuel said.
“I would also like to thank all the people who have helped along the way with my basketball.”
Samuel also plays for Sunbury Jets in the Victorian Junior Basketball League, VJBL, representative competition.
He trains four nights a week for both Vic Country and Sunbury, travelling across Melbourne for VJBL games once a week. Playing basketball in the NBA is Samuel’s dream.
“It was a pleasure to host a few of McEwen’s local sporting champions and congratulate them on their dedication,” Mr Mitchell said.
“These young people deserve all the recognition they can get and, from all the applicants, really stood out for their commitment, especially in sports that don’t always get a lot of recognition.”
Other recipients of the Local Sporting Champions grants included Alex, from Wooded, and Sonny, from Gisborne, who also represented Vic Country in the 2023 under 16 National Basketball Championships; Carsten, from Diamond Creek, who is the 2023 Asian Cup champion for judo; and Bailey from Doreen who represented Victoria in 2023 under 19 Nox Bailey Shield national competition for softball.
