Local MPs Lara Dalton and Sandra Carr partner up with JK Foundation to boost sporting scholarships

A scholarship scheme for young Mid West athletes wanting to make their mark in high-level sport, engineered by local AFL great Josh Kennedy, has received a boost. Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton and Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr have partnered with the JK Foundation’s Sports Assistance Scholarship Program to make ongoing contributions to help the emerging crop of local sporting stars. Funding can go towards costs that young athletes face including player registration fees, uniforms, equipment and travel. Set up earlier this year, the partnership has already seen support flow through to young athletes including taekwondo talent Khyan Townsend, who recently represented Australia at the ITF Taekwondo World Championships in Kazakhstan. Ms Dalton said joining forces with the JK Foundation would “provide incredible value for young athletes in Geraldton”. “The JK Foundation provides a holistic approach to support our young athletes. It goes beyond a donation of money, it creates a partnership between the athlete and the JK Foundation, and brings along the family, school, and extended community,” she said. Ms Carr added regional athletes faced extra challenges when striving to compete and train at higher levels. “Meeting the requests for support I receive has been challenging. Partnering with the JK Foundation allows us to contribute in a targeted manner, ensuring support goes where it is most needed, and will amplify the benefits for our young athletes and our region,” she said. “It means we can support more young athletes to access opportunities that may otherwise have been beyond reach.”