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150 emerging athletes across Western Australian are to receive financial assistance from the State's Smarter than Smoking Country Sport Scholarship program.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron recently announced the 150 athletes from across regional Western Australia who would receive financial assistance to offset costs of their daily training environment.

Minister Waldron stated that "the scholarships provide an opportunity for State sporting associations to support talented regional athletes to access training, competitions, development camps, coaches and facilities to improve their performance and assist them to represent Western Australia and ultimately Australia.

"I know firsthand how tough it can get for aspiring young athletes living in the regions, yet sport is such a way of life in the country and there is a gold mine of talent out there.

"Over the years, the Smarter than Smoking Country Sport Scholarships have helped hundreds of country athletes to address hurdles such as distance from facilities and competitions and to access development opportunities and coaches."

Recipients this year come from towns as far apart as Exmouth, Esperance, Wannanup, Kojonup, Bluff Point, Dunsborough and Merredin.

With previous recipients including AFL rising star Tayte Pears (Manjimup); West Coast Fever defender Susan Fuhrmann (Bunbury) and BMX sensation Lauren Reynolds (Bunbury) it's no stretch to say this year's recipients could be the next big names in WA sport.

Minister Waldron concluded "without scholarships like these, you would have to wonder how many of these athletes would have been able to reach their full potential. "

Full list of recipients go to www.dsr.wa.gov.au/smarter-than-smoking-country-sport-scholarships

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