Funding available for future Olympians
Wiltshire's sporting stars of the future are invited to apply for funding from the council.
Young sports men and women aged 21 and under can submit applications for funding from the council's Funding Future Olympians grant scheme.
The council has allocated a grand total of £5,000 to give five successful applicants £1,000 each towards achieving future Olympic success.
This funding is available to support people across the county to continue their development in their respective sports, with a view to challenging for honours at future Olympic Games.
Cabinet member for leisure, Stuart Wheeler, said:
"This is the second year running we have allocated this funding to some of our most promising local sports men and women.
Last year's applicants continue to do really well in their chosen sports and I hope their stories will inspire other sportspeople to apply for this funding.
Getting to the top in sport takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I am delighted that the council can offer this support to some truly talented local sports stars."
Applications are invited by individuals who compete at a national league level or above in their team sport, compete at nationally recognised events as an individual, or are a member of a national training squad. This can be in either a summer or winter Olympic sport.
All applicants must be 21 or under on 31 December 2012 and live in the Wiltshire Council area.
Deadline for applications is 5pm on December 1 2011. A decision will be made in early January and a presentation event held in February 2012 for the successful applicants.
Application forms and the criteria can be downloaded from the sports grants section of our website
Last year's recipients of the Funding for Future Olympians grant scheme were:
Joseph Coombs, Canoe Slalom
Joe , 19 , from Alderbury near Salisbury is a member of the Canoe GB 2016 Olympic Pathway Squad. He is currently ranked fifth in the UK and has competed in the Under 23 European Championships. Joe said
'It was great to be recognised by the council. I am using the grant for the cost involved in training on the new 2012 White Water course and it has allowed me to get in as much time as possible at this world class facility before the games selection events'
Jemima Duxberry, Judo
Jemima, 16, from Devizes is on the Under 20 England Judo Development Squad for potential Olympic athletes and is a multiple medal winner in various international competitions. Jemima is currently ranked British number one in the under 17 age group and ranked four in the under 20 age group. Jemima said,
'This grant has gone a long way to supporting my future training and help me to achieve my goal of going to the Olympics Games in the future.'
Francesca Fox, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Francesca, 18, from Trowbridge, won a Team Bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India, and is on the 2012 Olympics Pathway Squad. Francesca is also the 2010 GB Open Aparatus Champion in rope and ball. She finished third overall in the 2010 GB Championships, second in the 2010 English Championships and using a hoop she is the 2010 English Champion. Francesca has made it through the first round of qualification for the 2012 test event - the precursor to the Olympic Games.Francesca said,
'Funding in my sport is limited, so this support from Wiltshire Council was a great help as I work towards London 2012.'
Tom Simmons, Canoe Sprint
Tom, 19, from Bradford on Avon is a member of the Canoe GB 2016 pathway squad and has completed in both junior and under 23 European and World Championships. He won at the national regattas in Nottingham.Tom stated,
'Thank you for this support. It was a great boost for the 2011 season and the all important selection regattas this year.'
Sophie Upton, Athletics
Sophie, 20, from Melksham, is the current Under 23 National Pole Vault Champion and won bronze in the Senior Pole Vault at the National Championship in 2010. Sophie is ranked number one in the under 23 category. Sophie said,
'As a University student this grant was an amazing help. I have put it towards cost of training camps where I have access to elite coaching to benefit my training, which I wouldn't have been able to do without this grant.'
For more information on the grants scheme contact the council's sports development funding and events officer, Tamzin Ewers on 01380 734611.