Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

Three talented teenagers have been presented with grants totalling £750 to help develop their sporting careers.

Charnwood Sports Council has awarded the cash to Robert Vincent, Lucy Hatton and Chris Bunyan from its Talent Support Fund, which aims to assist individuals in their pursuit of excellence.

Sixteen-year-old Vincent is a member of the Great Britain Wild Water Racing Junior Team and competes at regional, national and international level.

His grant will go towards the cost of coaching, accommodation and travel, which he estimates will cost in excess of £1,100 between April 2006 and March 2007.

Trampolinist Hatton (15) is a member of Loughborough Amateurs Flying Squad and also received £250. She has reached Grade 3 regional in trampolining and Grade 2 National qualifications in double mini trampoline.

Loughborough Town Swimming Club member Bunyan (17) will use his £250 grant to fund his expenses while travelling to county, regional and national events.

Cllr Sandie Gough, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure, said: “We are delighted to be able to help these three youngsters as they strive to become sports stars of the future.

“It’s great we are backing such diverse sports as wild water racing and trampolining and I wish all three of them every success.”

Facility development grants were also presented to Barkby United Cricket Club and Anstey Nomads Football Club. Shepshed Town Swimming Club was awarded funding towards coaching development.

Charnwood Sports Council was set up in 1979 to promote the development of sport and physical recreation within the Borough.

It has a diverse role, ranging from providing advice on facility development and other sporting issues to distributing grant aide to affiliated sports clubs on behalf of Charnwood Borough Council.

A wide range of grants are available to help establish new clubs, assist with the cost of training staff, improve facilities and financially help individuals.

Organisations that provide sport and physical recreation opportunities in Charnwood are entitled to apply for membership to the Charnwood Sports Council.

The cost is £10 per year for sports clubs and £5 for sports clubs catering for only juniors or non-sporting clubs or groups that provide sporting opportunities.

For their membership fee, clubs receive:

- Opportunity to submit a grant application;
- Inclusion in sports club directory
- A funding guide highlighting potential ‘pot of gold’
- Latest information on training courses available

For further details on how to apply for membership to the Charnwood Sports Council and more information on grants, call Charnwood Borough Council’s Leisure Services department on (01509) 634 673.