First bursary recipients to be named at launch of Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund
The Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund is to be officially launched on Tuesday, when the names of the first 18 emerging sports stars who are to receive bursaries will be announced.
The launch is to take place at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and will be attended by representatives from each of the funding agencies as well as some of the chosen athletes and their parents.
Funding partners will be presented with framed certificates from former Liverpool FC player Jan Molby and DCCC first team players Ian Hunter and Wayne White, in recognition of their contribution.
The first 18 athletes chosen to receive bursaries are from eight sports, including athletics, cricket, golf, cycling, canoeing, squash, swimming and table tennis.
All are competing for England or Great Britain or have the potential to do so within the next 18 months.
In this first year, recipients will each receive a bursary of £300 to be used to help meet costs associated with training and competition such as coaching fees, travel and equipment.
A further 60 athletes from other sports will be announced in February 2008.
Work to establish the Fund began a little under 12 months ago, with Keith Loring, head of sport and business consultancy Lorson International, and David Joy, Director of Derbyshire Sport, working with partners to bring the Fund to fruition.
All of the local authorities in the county have committed a total of £19,000 to the fund, and other contributers include Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the University of Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Rolls-Royce, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Derby College, Spirita, Fairgrove Homes and the Electrical Contractors Association.
It is hoped to raise a total of £40,000 in the first year and work has begun to secure additional financial support from other public and private organisations.
Performers from all sports recognised by Sport England are eligible for bursaries, except those already receiving individual lottery awards or TASS funding.
Athletes from within 26 priority sports must be nominated by their governing bodies of sport and this process is now well underway. Performers in non prioirty sports can apply directly to the fund before December 31, 2007.
The Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund is to be managed by Derbyshire Sport.