Over 60 kids from across the City of Cockburn have received a share of $24,000 from the City’s Junior Sports Travel Assistance Program (JSTA) to help them to fulfil their sporting dreams.
The 61 recipients of the June and September 2018 rounds were presented certificates by Warwick Saupold of the MBL Detroit Tigers and ABL Perth Heat and Mayor Logan Howlett at a ceremony on 21 November 2018.
Funding recipient and WA Rugby League representative Latryse Tavita said that Warwick’s speech at the ceremony was “inspiring”.
Latryse’s proud mum, Latisha Tavita, said that the JSTA award was important in helping make her son’s dream a reality.
“As a mum, it’s really nice to know there is support out, as financially it can be hard for families. When you want to see your kids excel, you don’t want money to be the issue,” said Latisha.
The JSTA grants up to $400 per child to help local juniors to travel to interstate or national sporting competitions and events for which they have qualified.
The City began funding the travel program nine years ago, with this being the sixth annual JSTA awards night.
Among the sports represented in the latest grants were baseball, soccer, netball, fencing, BMX and golf.
Recipients who attended the awards ceremony had a chance to win door prizes including a Perth Heat Family Pass and $100 Ticketmaster gift card, which were won by Latryse Tavita and Amy Silvester respectively.
“The City is proud of its junior athletes and pleased to support them. Every year we allocate $50,000 towards the JSTA so that our young sportspeople can further their dreams and goals,” said Mayor Logan Howlett.