Two ice hockey players and two fireball sailors are among 11 local athletes who have shared in $6,500 sponsorship from the Central Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (CCROC) to compete at national and international competitions.

Springfield resident, Rhys Outred, received $1,000 to head to France from March 30 to April 5, to compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under 18 Division II World Championships. The Australian National Youth Team played against, Korea, China, France, Croatia and Belgium.

Central Coast Rhino's Jayson Chalker, of Point Clare, received $1,000 sponsorship to compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) 2008 World Championships, which was held in Belgrade, Serbia, during January. The Australian National U20s Centenary team competed against Serbia, New Zealand, Armenia, Turkey, Bulgaria and South Africa, to finish fourth in the Championships, with Jayson scoring one goal and assisting a further six.

Narara's Richard McCulloch and Green Point's Glen Stewart each received $1,000 sponsorship from CCROC to attend the International Fireball World Championships, in Thailand from March 8-21. The pair sailed their Fireball, a two-person high performance dinghy, for Australia.

Forresters Beach resident, Jeff Coroneos, received $1,000 sponsorship to compete at the Trans-Tasman Oztag Series held in Taupo, New Zealand in February. Jeff was selected after being part of the Australian World Cup winning team last year.

Three Wamberal sisters each received $250 sponsorship to attend national sailing competitions. Caitlyn and Jessica McIntosh competed on board Sweet Dreams in the Flying Eleven Australian Championships held at Manly in January, while sister Sophie, received sponsorship to sail at the 44^th Australia Sabot Junior Titles in Vaucluse in January. 

Berkeley Vale cyclist Travis Smedley received $250 sponsorship from CCROC to compete at the 2008 State Cycling Championships held in Dubbo in March.

Gosford City Basketball members, Michael Cassidy and Mitchell Jacob, each received $500 to compete at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. 

A joint initiative of Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils, CCROC provides sponsorship to residents who have been selected by a national, state or regional body to participate in a recognised sporting or cultural event.

In return for sponsorship, the recipients promote the Central Coast in the local, interstate and international arenas.