Athletes encouraged to sign up for sponsorship scheme

ATHLETES in the Stratford district are being given the opportunity to receive funding as part of a talent development programme.

Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, run in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, helps athletes gain national and international success through offering bronze, silver and gold level membership.

Sponsorship from the scheme could provide up to £5,000 of funding to assist with training, equipment, travel and competition costs including access to more than 150 Everyone Active leisure centres throughout the country.

There are currently more than 300 athletes on the scheme and Everyone Active hopes to raise that number to more than 500 ahead of Tokyo 2020.

Olympic medallists Colin Jackson and Steve Parry are ambassadors of the scheme, who with Everyone Active launched the mentoring element of the scheme in 2017.

The sessions aim to cover a range of topics to equip athletes with the essential skills required to manage their sporting careers. Topics range from money management to media interviews and nutrition.

The first mentoring session was held on 25th October at Stratford Leisure Centre, where Colin Jackson offered advice and guidance on how athletes can promote themselves.

The scheme also offers athletes the opportunity to gain access to a new website which features an exclusive content area, enabling athletes to follow each other’s progress and training successes.

One of the site’s unique key features is the chance to arrange a telephone call with Colin Jackson, where athletes can ask for first hand advice from the Olympic medallist.

The application period closes on Friday, 16th February – with the scheme running from 1st June 2018 to 31st May 2019.

For more information about the Everyone Active Sporting Champions scheme, click here.