Sport
31 October, 2022
Atherton sporting stars recognised
TWO of Atherton’s most well-known junior sporting stars have been given hundreds of dollars by Tablelands Regional Council to help them on their way to stardom, being named the 2022 Sports Bursary recipients.
Amy Hunter and Emily Mills have been recognised for their feats in their chosen sports of cricket and gymnastics with Amy being one of the best female cricketers in the far north and Emily becoming the Tablelands first ever level 10 gymnast.
As the 2022 recipients of the bursary, Amy and Emily have been given $650 each to assist with the costs of competing and developing their sporting skills.
Tablelands mayor Rod Marti recognised the recipients of the sports bursary at a ceremony in Atherton.
“It was an honour to congratulate Amy Hunter and Emily Mills on their successes, and to present them with their bursaries,” he said.
“Amy is passionate about cricket and has played most of her junior cricket in the boys’ league and has been asked to be a Queensland Cricket Ambassador for girls’ cricket this 2022 season.
“Amy intends to continue playing in the Queensland Premier League Cricket First Grade Ladies competition in Brisbane and is working towards selection for the Queensland Cricket U19 female side, while retaining her place in the Queensland School Sports 16–19 years Queensland side.
Atherton Cricket Club President Tony Potts commends Amy’s achievements to date and her constant commitment to the club.
“Amy is a great athlete who is certainly bound for bigger and brighter things, with potential to play cricket for Australia one day,” he said.
“She supports her local club through volunteering in the canteen, at events and coaching other members.”
Mayor Marti was also impressed with Emily’s gymnastic achievements and dedication to the sport since she started at a young age.
“Emily is the first gymnast at Team Momentum to achieve state representation and the highest na-tional level in gymnastics,” he said.
“She judges at local and state gymnastic events, coaches younger gymnasts, and assists in the development and promotion of gymnastics in our region.
“Emily plans to make the Queensland team for Nationals in 2023, with the hope of being selected in the representative team for the New Zealand/Australian competition.”
Team Momentum’s head coach Dianne Stephens values Emily’s contribution to the club and said Emily is the most committed and disciplined athlete she knows.
“Emily trains for 16 hours each week, shares her skills and experience through coaching and judging, and is a very high achiever in her sport including finalist at the recent State Gymnastics Championships and selection to the Queensland State Squad Team,” she said.
