Sport
25 January, 2024
Tayla flies the Aussie flag
WARRNAMBOOL’S Tayla Relph has been chosen to compete in the first ever FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship in Europe this year.
Tayla is one of only 22 women to make the grade, and the only Australian to qualify.
To help her along the way, the Warrnambool City Council will contribute $700 to Tayla’s expenses following her successful application for a grant via council’s individual or group assistance fund.
As part of council’s vision for a healthy and active city, grants are available for resident individual athletes competing at elite levels, as part of an affiliated state or national event, or international activity or event.
Applications are accepted year-round, with grants of up to $700 for individuals and $1000 for teams available.
“A massive thank you to the Warrnambool City Council for jumping on board and granting me these funds,” Ms Relph said.
“To be the only Australian selected and to represent Australia in a world championship is a dream come true so it’s such an exciting opportunity and I really am lost for words.
“I’ve had so much support in the past week since I’ve announced this and all of the support has meant that I can secure my seat in a world championship, so it’s a fantastic opportunity.
“And the calibre of women racing all around the world, it’s just as fast as the men, so even though we have our own women’s championship there are plenty of females all across the world that are racing at the top with the men, myself included here in Australia.”
Tayla believes this year’s event will be the first time a world championship has been dedicated solely to all the fastest women.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain congratulated Tayla on her “monumental achievement”, and said that council was proud to support her.
“It’s amazing to see Tayla be able to excel and now to take her talents to the global stage,” he said.
“It’s going to be really exciting to watch her over there when she’s competing in Europe.
“Tayla has risen to the top and it’s great that we are able to support her with some funds to help her get over there; I really wish her the best and we’ll all be following her journey and cheering her on from Warrnambool.”
Races will be covered by Fox Sports and SBS, with full broadcast details to be available closer to the beginning of the Championship.
To find out more about sporting grants available to individuals and teams, visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au and search “Individual or Group Assistance Fund”.
