Ealing's Top Sporting Stars Sought

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Funding available for local athletes for London 2012

The search is on to find the borough’s most elite athletes as Ealing Council launches a sports funding programme in the run up to the London 2012 Games.

The Team Ealing 2012 Ambassador Grant Scheme was approved by the council’s Cabinet as part of its commitment to nurturing local sporting talent.

The scheme will provide grant aid to athletes who live in Ealing, with the potential to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Successful applicants will each receive a grant, paid in instalments, to help with the costs of training and competing at the highest level in the build up to the London 2012 Games. A total of £125,000 has been set aside to support the athletes in the scheme.

Council Leader, Councillor Jason Stacey, said: “We have a number of high calibre athletes living in the borough and I am really pleased that we can offer this scheme to support some of them in the run up to the Olympics and Paralympics. It’s an exciting time for London to be hosting the event and we will continue to nurture the talent we have in Ealing to give these athletes the best chance possible to reach the Games.

“There are outstanding training facilities in Ealing available to sportsmen and women at all levels and we have some terrific coaching staff to help them achieve their goals.”

The athletes who make it onto the scheme will be required to carry out ambassadorial duties to help promote sport and healthy living in the borough. This might include visits to schools or community groups, writing reports on their progress and helping to inspire others to become involved in sport.

Applications will be accepted from 16 December and must be received by 11 January. Successful applicants will be announced at the end of January 2010.

More information about how to apply will appear on the council’s website www.ealing.gov.uk

 

December 2nd,2009