Published on Tuesday, 31 October 2023 at 1:22:54 PM

A young Darlington student is hoping to skate her way into the 2028 Olympics after placing first in a Skateboarding Competition in Mackay, Queensland last month.

Eleven-year-old Tayah Payne received a $200 Shire of Mundaring Youth Grant to travel to Mackay to compete in the BMD Rumble on Reef Championship Skateboarding Competition. 

Over the five-day competition, Tayah placed first in the 16 and Under Female Championship Division, and first place in the 16 and Under Street Skate Series Competition for 2023. 

Tayah’s father Greg Payne thanked the Shire for the Youth Grant which contributed towards the interstate travel expenses to compete in the competition.

“We were very grateful to find out that the Shire of Mundaring had this Youth Grant initiative in place to help young athletes like Tayah,” he said 

“It’s particularly difficult for athletes of Tayah’s age to come up with the funds to travel interstate when these opportunities come up. 

“The Youth Grant money helped Tayah pay for part of her airfares over to Mackay. The rest she funded herself from a prior competition win which we are very proud of her for doing.”

“I’m very happy and proud to say Tayah really gave it her all and skated fantastically,” he said.

“Because she came first in the under 16’s event, she qualified to skate in the Women’s Open Division which has now given her great exposure and the opportunity to skate against the top female skaters in Australia. 

“To our delight she placed third in this division.” 

Tayah is now on the radar to be selected into a new sports program which will be run through the WA Institute of Sport. 

The program is expected to recruit young Skateboarders like Tayah and help them on their path to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. 

Shire President encourages young people to apply for a grant

Shire President Paige McNeil congratulated Tayah on her success at the competition.

“It’s always great to see young people excel in the areas that they are most passionate about,” she said.

“I am so proud the Shire is able to support young people like Tayah to peruse their dreams through these grants.

“I encourage other young people who want to represent their clubs and showcase their talents to apply for a Shire of Mundaring Youth Grant.”

Youth Grants

In the 2022/23 Financial Year, the Shire awarded 34 Youth Grants to the total value of $7000.

Young people can apply for a $100 Youth Grant to attend an intrastate event, or $200 to attend an interstate or national event and $300 for an international event.

The grant is available throughout the year, subject to availability of funds. Applications must be made at least one month prior to the event.

To apply for a Youth Grant visit the Community Grants page on the Shire website.

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