Derbyshire Dales sports stars presented with bursaries
Three emerging sports stars from the Derbyshire Dales district have collected bursaries through the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund.
Greg Hitchen, Josh Moody and Tom Last were each presented with a cheque for £300, which will be used to help them further their sporting careers, contributing towards meeting training costs such as coaching fees, travel and equipment.
The presentation was held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall in Matlock on Wednesday, January 9.
Councillor Ken Bull, Chairman of the District of Derbyshire Dales, co-presented the cheques, along with Cllr Janet Goodison, vice-chair of Derbyshire Sport; Rory Slater, Director of Affinities at Derbyshire Building Society; and Cllr Geoff Carlile, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration.
Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Building Society have all contributed to the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund.
Greg, Josh and Tom were among the first 18 emerging sports stars to be named to receive cash help from the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund, which was officially launched last month.
Greg (Canoe Slalom) finished fourth in the British National Rankings at the end of the current season, having secured third place in his last race at the British Open Internationals held in Wales in October.
The 22-year-old, from Matlock Canoe Club, is now preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in March, and will be competing for selection for the GB senior and U23 Olympic teams.
Josh (Athletics – Middle Distance and Fell Running) won the U16 English Fell Championships and ran for England to win the British and Irish Mountain Running Championship last season.
The 16-year-old from Matlock surprised everyone with a storming run to take the Gold medal in the National U17 1500m at Don Valley, and intends to concentrate on the track racing this season.
He also hopes to run for the England Fell Running team in Italy for the third consecutive year at the World Mountain Running Association Youth Team Challenge.
Tom (Cycling/MTB & Cyclo Cross) from Great Longstone near Bakewell, is this year committing fully to a road season and has a new team for 2008.
The 19-year-old will ride for UK-based road race team Kinesis UK when racing begins in March, and hopes this will give him the strength and experience necessary to compete at a high level internationally at Cyclo Cross in the winter of 2008/9.
Performers from all sports recognised by Sport England are eligible for bursaries, except those already receiving individual lottery awards or TASS funding.
A further 60 athletes who will benefit from the Fund will be announced in February.
Other contributers include Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the University of Derby, Rolls-Royce, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Lorson International, Derby College, Spirita, Fairgrove Homes, East Midlands Development Agency and the Electrical Contractors Association.
The following local authorities have financially supported the Talented Athlete Fund: Derbyshire County Council, South Derbyshire District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Derby City Council, High Peak Borough Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, Erewash Borough Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.