Western Australian athletes get funding boost to support sporting goals

Four of Western Australia’s top athletes have been selected as ambassadors for Western Australian Government sport and entertainment venue operator, VenuesWest, as part of a program to highlight the role venues play in developing our elite sportspeople.

The VenuesWest Brand Ambassador Program backs athletes - each of whom has competed at the highest levels for Australia and is based at a VenuesWest venue - with $5,000 to assist with their training and competition expenses.

The ambassadors are:

Stephen Bird - kayak Steve, who trains at Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, competed at the 2012 London Olympics Games and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. He is now working towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Nikita Hains - diving Nikita, who trains at HBF Stadium, took up diving four years ago and was selected for the Junior National Championships just two years later before joining the Australian team at the beginning of 2016. Nikita is striving for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Amber Merritt - wheelchair basketball Amber, who trains at Bendat Basketball Centre, won a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and is now aiming for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Brianna Throssell - swimming Brianna, who trains at HBF Stadium, competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics Games and is currently aiming for 2018 Commonwealth Games selection while also focusing on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Introducing the program at a recent event at HBF Stadium, Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray stated “the Brand Ambassador Program champions the dreams of four high performance athletes through direct financial assistance towards their training and competition expenses.

“It is my hope that young and aspiring athletes can look to these ambassadors for inspiration and encouragement towards their own sporting goals.

“With the Commonwealth Games being held in Australia in 2018, the launch of this program is fitting recognition of the support VenuesWest offers to some of the State’s best athletes.”

VenuesWest operates 13 of Western Australia’s premier sport and entertainment venues on behalf of the Western Australian Government and directly supports WA’s high performance athletes as they strive to compete on the world stage.

Images: VenuesWest Brand Ambassador Program  athletes Amber Merritt, Nikita Hains and Steve Bird (top)  and the trio flamked by VenuesWest Chairman Richard Muirhead and Western Australian Minister for Sport and Recreation Mick Murray (below).

3rd February 2017 - VENUESWEST AND THE BOAB NETWORK WORKING TOGETHER FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN 

18th January 2017 - LIBBY TRICKETT TO BACK SWIMMING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

15th December 2016 - INAUGURAL LEISURE INDUSTRY COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING AWARDS 

8th August 2016 - VENUESWEST’S COMMITMENT TO GIVING BACK GOES BEYOND AUSTRALIA 

23rd June 2016 - VENUESWEST CELEBRATES OLYMPIC DAY AND HIGH PERFORMANCE ATHLETES 

8th April 2015 - VENUESWEST IMPOSES STRICT RULES ON BOARD AND STAFF PERKS

24th December 2014 - VENUESWEST PARTNERS WITH CHARITIES TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

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