THEY are Hastings teenagers on the way to the top of their chosen sports.
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Along the way they’ll have to make some sacrifices and for those dreams to become reality, they will need a helping hand.
Luckily for golfer Oli Payne and cricketer Hannah Faux, the Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship came to their aide and they have received some financial assistance.
Both sports stars admitted they were surprised to hear their names read out during the Port Macquarie-Hastings Sports Awards on November 13.
Payne took out the $1000 scholarship for first place, while Faux will receive $500 quarterly to put towards travel expenses as the runner-up.
16-year-old Payne will travel to Coffs Harbour and Adelaide over the next couple of months for golf tournaments and admitted it would help to soften the financial burden of competing.
“It all adds up pretty quickly when you’re travelling,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity to even be considered for something like this and it will help out a lot.”
He admitted it was a surprise to be named as the winner.
“I didn’t think I was going to win it at all; I didn’t have anything prepared for a speech or anything like that,” he said.
It all adds up pretty quickly when you’re travelling.
- Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship winner Oli Payne
Payne wants to improve his junior ranking on the golf tour and the key to that was by simply competing at more tournaments.
“I aspire to get on the world tour some time in the future, but in the meantime I just want to progress and improve every day,” he said.
“I’ve got a few tournaments coming up and just want to get my ranking up with the junior boys because I haven’t played many events.
“The money will help me play more ranking events.
“If I keep improving every day and keep getting better every single day I’ll get to where I want to be.”
The timing for Faux couldn’t have been better.
“I want to get a new bat because I’m up to my fourth one and I’ve been playing for seven years,” she said.
“(The money) is a lot of help because it means I don’t have to pressure mum and dad as much.”
There is always room for improvement; I want to keep making the under-18 national team and hopefully get my name out there and play for NSW in a few years’ time.
- Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship runner-up Hannah Faux
Next up on Faux’s road to a professional career is an appearance at the national titles in Adelaide in January.
Should she perform well in the South Australian capital, a call-up to the New South Wales women’s side may not be too far away.
“I want to make the squad after nationals and then I can play under-18s next year so if I keep working hard it’s an achievable goal,” she said.
“There is always room for improvement; I want to keep making the under-18 national team and hopefully get my name out there and play for NSW in a few years’ time.”
Both youngsters were thankful for the help of Rotary and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for helping them on the path to the top.
They’re on their way.
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