These qualities are shown through Taree’s Layne Watson and Claire Van Kampen who were recognised under the Australian Institute of Sports’ Local Sporting Champions Program.

The financial assistance goes towards cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation endorsed state, national or international Sporting Championship or a school sport Australia state, national or international championships.

Layne recently competed at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.

This followed her successful Combined High School state carnival campaign, where she came second in the 100 metre hurdles.

She also competed at NSW All Schools where she came fourth and bettered her time again.

The final stage of the process to get to the Nationals Championships was to compete at NSW Junior Championships to become part of the NSW team for Nationals.

Layne has a busy training schedule where she allocates at least three to four days a week and travelling one and a half hours to see her coach every couple of weeks.

Claire trains six times a week in the pool, getting up at 4.20 each morning, completes three gym sessions a week plus aerobic work and travel from Taree to Forster to undertake much of her training.

“I hope that I am successful as swimming is a very hard and takes a lot of dedication to achieve.

“It is an individual sport but without the encouragement of our coaches, families and team mates it would not be possible.

“You have to swim at qualifying carnivals to be able to get a time.

“The times are set by Swimming Australia and these times are of an elite standard,” Claire said. 

Claire will compete at the Georgina Hope Australian Age Championships in Sydney from April 21. 

Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie congratulated the duo on their accomplishment.

“The AIS Local Sporting Champions Program is an initiative of the our government designed to provide financial assistance for young sportsmen and women aged 12 to 18 years old to compete in State, National or international sporting events,” Dr Gillespie said.

“I am very pleased to congratulate Claire in her achievements in swimming and Layne in athletics who are excelling in their respective fields, representing our region at State, National levels.”