Swimmer Megan Hopes Grant Will Help Olympic Dream
A YOUNG swimmer who one day wants to compete at the Olympics is among the latest recipients of grants offered by Charnwood Borough Council to support talented sportspeople.
Megan Morrison, 13, of Quorn, was given a £250 talent support grant to help towards coaching, kit and transport costs to compete for the City of Leicester club in national and international tournaments.
Megan’s mum, Karen, said: “The grant is really helpful and it is great that the local council supports athletes through their scheme.
“The grant will help us buy a new ‘skin’ (swim clothing) for Megan ahead of the National Championships in July and towards coaching costs as well as helping with the petrol when we take her to various competitions.”
Megan, who was Charnwood Borough Council’s Junior Sportsperson of the Year in 2011, knows she has a long way to go but mum Karen says she would love to compete at the Olympics.
“Megan will certainly broaden her experience over the next 12 months with competitions in South Korea and Dubai and, of course, would love to compete at the Olympics one day,” said Karen.
Other successful applicants from the last round of grants were:
Anna Chesca (Greenfield Tennis Club) – Talent Support Grant. £250.
Jake Spicer (City of Leicester Swimming Club) – Talent Support Grant. £250.
Thomas Cuthbert, Lucy Whitfield, Adam Hames, Matthew Vickers, Matthew Ball (Simon Coope Karate School). Talent Support Grant. All receive £250 each.
Cricket coach Ian Burdett also received a £112 grant, football coach Dean Betts received £78, there was an £800 grant towards improving sports facilities at Shepshed Amateur Boxing Club and Steve Wilkinson, on behalf of Loughborough Foxes’ Women & Girls, received a Sports Development Grant of £250.
Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “It is always vitally important to support our borough’s sporting talent and that is even more important in Olympic year which we hope will be the catalyst for others to take up sport and live healthier lifestyles.”
Charnwood Borough Council offers a range of grants to support sports clubs, coaches or officials and talented athletes throughout the borough. They are:
Sport Development Grants - available for clubs for up to £250
Coach/Officials Grants - available for up to 50% of courses costs to a maximum cost of £250
Talent Support Grants - available for up to £250 for athletes competing at regional level or above
Sports Facilities Grants - available for up to £800
Applicants must fill in a form and explain why they deserve a sporting grant. The Charnwood Sport and Active Recreation Alliance, made up of volunteers and professionals, then make recommendations to Charnwood Borough Council’s grants panel.
To find out more about the grants programme, contact Gemma Craggs, Sports Development Officer, on 01509 634592 or email gemma.craggs@charnwood.gov.uk
The deadline for the next round of grants is mid-to-late August 2012. For more information, guidance notes and application forms, visit:
