Rising junior athletic stars were congratulated on their achievements after being announced earlier last week. Four talented athletes were announced as McDonald’s scholarship winners for 2020 and presented with $500.

George Wells (Region 2), Ella Penman (Region 3), Michael Ajaka (Region 5) and Chandelle Falls (Region 7)  are the four athletes selected from hundreds of entrants throughout NSW to receive the prestigious scholarship, which is awarded to rising young athletes, under 13 years of age and above, each year.

Ella, from Western Plains Zone has been participating in athletics for 8 years, and is with Dubbo LAC. Ella qualified for the 200m, 400m, 800m,1500m and 3000m events at the 2020 State Track and Field Championships as well as the 4 x 100m senior girls relay team.

Ella’s further achievements have been to represent NSW at National levels in Cross Country and Athletics 2015-2019. She has also set qualifying times for the 2020 Australian Junior Championships and won 6 gold medals at the 2020 Region Championships.

George, from Central Coast Zone, has been participating in athletics for 9 years and is with Tuggerah Lakes LAC. George qualified for the Shot Put and Discus events at the 2020 State Track and Field Championships.

George’s further achievements have been, 1st in U15 Discus and Shot Put at the 2020 NSW Junior Championships, 1st in Shot Put at the ACT titles, 1st in Discus at the Australian All Schools 2019 and 1st in Shot Put in the Australian Little Athletics Championships 2019.

Michael, from North Metropolitan Zone has been participating in athletics for 8 years and is with Parramatta LAC. Michael qualified for the Shot Put, Discus, Javelin and 100m events at the 2020 State Track and Field Championships.

Michael’s further achievements have been, 2019 Little Athletics Champion U12, Javelin and Discus and he broke the State Record, for Shot Put during last year’s season.

Chandelle, from Mid -West Metropolitan Zone, has been participating in athletics for 3 years and is with Greystanes LAC . Chandelle qualified for the Shot Put, Discus, Long Jump and 100m events at the 2020 State Track and Field Championships.

Chandelle’s further achievements have been, selection for the 2019 U15’s Australian National Camp, Silver Medallist at the National All Schools and Brazier Citizen Award ( sportsmanship and support of athletes, in competition) by Greystanes LAC in 2017.

With the help of McDonald’s, the four athletes hope to continue their athletics career and pursue representative honours at future Championship events and will maybe one day, represent Australia at the Olympics. Athletics is a great sport for young kids to be involved in and it is great to see that these four recipients, have developed into some fine, young talents. McDonald’s is dedicated to developing athletics at a grassroots level and hopes that these scholarships will encourage more kids to get involved.

Chief Executive Officer of Little Athletics NSW, Kerry O’Keefe, said she is very pleased at the level of talent that exists throughout NSW but admitted that it made her job of choosing a winner a very difficult task.

“We had a huge response from the zones with nominations to reward their athletes with scholarships. The response shows how the number of promising athletic stars is growing across the state. It is wonderful to have McDonald’s on board to encourage and reward these fantastic athletes,” said Kerry.

Athletes were recognised by their zone as a competitor who has shown great improvement, as well as commitment to their Centre.