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Young Gun Wildcards Announced for the Telstra Drug Aware Pro WA

Surfing WA announce names of 3 x local wildcards for Telstra Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River this April.

Photo: Creed McTaggart (Margaret River, Western Australia), the current National U18 Junior Champion will surf against his idols at his home break thanks to a Wildcard entry Credit: Surfing Australia/Robertson.

Surfing WA announce the names of three local wildcards who will take to the line-up with surfing’s finest at the Telstra Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River this April 3-10.

17 year old Margaret River local Creed McTaggart will surf against some of the World’s best surfers including Mick Fanning, Bede Durbidge, Joel Parkinson and local hero Taj Burrow.

McTaggart is already one of the shining lights of the Australian junior surfing scene, having recently won the Australian Under 18 Junior Championship. He has progressed through the Brownes Chill WA pathways program having been crowned the 2010 WA State Junior Champion.

It will not be the first time McTaggart has surfed in front of the big crowds at the Telstra Drug Aware Pro, having taken out the Brownes Chill Grom Prix Final which took place before the Women’s Final at last year’s event.

He said he felt very lucky to have a place in the main event in 2011. “I used to love watching the event when I was a grommet. It’s kind of like a dream come true to be competing in it.”

Competing in the women’s field of 64 will be Yallingup raised Mikaela Greene, the current under 18 Junior Girl’s State Champion. Mikaela will be joined by fellow wildcard Bronte Macaulay of Gracetown, daughter of former two-time World Number 3, Dave Macaulay. The two girls can expect to face tough competition from 2010 Champion Chelsea Hedges, as well as Sofia Mulanovich, Carissa Moore and Coco Ho.

David Malone, Executive Director of major sponsor Healthway commended the local wildcards on their achievement.

“Congratulations from Healthway to the three young local surfers – Creed, Mikaela and Bronte – who have come up through the surfing ranks through their local school.

“While it is great that Healthway support enables top international surfers to compete in the Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River, it is also very pleasing to see that the school programs we support are helping to encourage young people to take to the waves while learning about sun protection along the way via the SunSmart message.”

All three surfing young-guns are South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) scholarship holders studying at Margaret River Senior High School and part of the Surfing WA High Performance Regional Talent Development program. The program supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation aims to give talented students the chance to develop their surfing skills whilst juggle busy school life. In 2010 the program included the opportunity to receive professional coaching by some of the best international coaches.

“This is a great opportunity for the three surfers who have been able to develop their skills while remaining in their home environment with support from the Regional Talent Development Program and the Healthway Smarter than Smoking Scholarships. The Department of Sport and Recreation congratulates Creed, Mikaela and Bronte and trust they will enjoy the opportunity to compete against elite professional surfers,“ said Brendan Cullinan, Senior High Performance Consultant at the DSR.

This year the Telstra Drug Aware Pro men’s event has been upgraded to the Prime Tour, with prize money increasing to $250,000 and cementing its place as one of the most significant surfing events in Australasia. The women’s event will remain a six star prime rated WQS Event. Both the men’s and women’s events will be sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals.

It is expected that the Telstra Drug Aware Pro will draw bigger crowds than ever, further promoting tourism and the local economy. Spectator entry is free. A full list of competing surfers will be announced after March 8 when registrations officially close.  For more information, visit www.telstradrugawarepro.com <http://www.telstradrugawarepro.com>

For more information or an interview opportunity please contact:

Jason Dover

Telstra Drug Aware Pro – Media Director

0419 892 100

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