FAMILIES have been encouraged to apply for this years round of Local Sporting Champions grants by Federal member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd MP.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to aspiring young athletes, coaches, and officials between the ages of 12 to 18-years-old planning on attending eligible state, national, or international sporting championships.

Mr O'Dowd said Local Sporting Champions, managed by Sport Australia, was an important initiative for talented young sportspeople and their families.

"Local Sporting Champions provides an opportunity for aspiring young athletes from Flynn to take part in high level competition,” Mr O'Dowd said.

"This program supports families meet the costs associated with attending sporting competitions such as competition entry fees, travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment.

"It's so important to support our young people to be physically active, so they can benefit from the social connection and development sport provides.”

Local Sporting Champions continues to grow, with the Morrison Government announcing a funding boost in 2018 to 2019 of $11.8million over four years.

Funding starts at $500 per grant, with additional provisions for longer distance travel.

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said assisting families to engage in high level sporting competition would help meet the Morrison Government's Sport 2030 plan to help more Australians be more active more often.

"Local Sporting Champions is about removing some of the barriers for children chasing their big sporting dreams,” Minister Colbeck said.

"Sport and physical activity is a valuable part of any child's development, so this program is a great investment in the health of our nation.”

Local Sporting Champions has already delivered more than $30 million in grants to more than 52,000 young Australians.

Applications for the Local Sporting Champions program are open throughout the entire year, with four assessment periods. To be considered for the next assessment period, applications must be in by September 30.

For more information on Local Sporting Champions grants, including the eligibility criteria and how to apply click here.