Funding for future Olympians?

Budding young Royal Borough sportsmen and women are once again invited to apply for funding to help them reach their sporting goals.

The Royal Borough's annual Sports Bursary Scheme – which acknowledges and supports young players' achievements and the contribution coaches make to their sport – provides funds of up to £250 for each of the successful applicants.

This year and for the next three years the borough is working in partnership with the Louis Baylis Trust which has doubled the available funds for the scheme so that more potential Olympians can be supported.

Participants and coaches in any sport recognised by Sport England are eligible to apply for the £6,000 worth of bursaries, and nominations are welcome. The awards panel favours player applicants aged 25 and below, while coach bursary applicants must be 16 or older.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said: "The borough is delighted to offer this funding to help develop our sports stars of the future. Who knows, one of our recipients could even represent Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics."

Applications can be submitted for:

• Player Bursary Awards – aimed at aspiring young athletes, to acknowledge their achievements and provide funds to help them achieve full national, international and even Olympic recognition. The money is intended to help towards coaching fees, purchase of equipment and necessary clothing, training courses and travelling expenses
• Coach Bursary Awards – aimed at acknowledging the vital contribution coaches make to sport, to raise their profile and enhance coach education in the borough through such measures as training courses or purchase of equipment to assist with coaching sessions
• The Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to sport in the Royal Borough over a number of years.

For an application form or guidelines on how to nominate someone for these awards, contact the sports development team on 01753 860173 or sports.development@rbwm.gov.uk Alternatively, visit www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/sdev_index.htm

The deadline is Thursday July 31. Successful applicants will be advised in person after this date and presented with their awards at a leisure and cultural achievements celebration evening on Wednesday October 22.