Budding local Olympians and Paralympians are encouraged to apply for the latest round of Nottinghamshire County Council funding to help them fulfil their potential in their chosen sport.

A new round of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Talented Athletes Fund is now open for applications until Monday, 7 December. The fund is open to Nottinghamshire athletes who have represented their country at national / international athletic events in the last two years and successful applicants could be awarded up to £400.

The Talented Athletes Fund is part of the council’s Local Improvement Scheme, which offers financial help and support to local communities. The sporting sector, like many others, has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. With many events, activities and competitions cancelled or postponed this year, the eligibility criteria for Talented Athletes funding has been amended to ensure aspiring athletes don’t miss out on this valuable funding.

Grants are available to help pay for travel, equipment, training, accommodation, competition and coaching fees and kit costs. During the 2019 – 2020 round of funding, 82 budding sports stars benefitted from £21,000 worth in sports grants from the fund.

Previous local sports stars to have received the funding, include gymnasts Sam Oldham, Becky Downie and Ellie Downie; swimmers Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw; athlete Richard Whitehead; show jumper Sophie Wells and rising tennis star Freya Christie.

In addition to their sporting achievements, many athletes that receive grant funding through the Talented Athletes Fund have, given back to their communities through coaching, volunteering and acting as a Sports Ambassador for Nottinghamshire County Council in their community.

Coun John Handley, vice-chairman of the Communities and Place Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This year has been a tough time for many, including aspiring athletes. We’re delighted to continue to offer this financial support through the Talented Athletes Fund to help young athletes from across the county fulfil their sporting ambitions.

“Nottinghamshire has a strong sporting heritage which we are incredibly proud of and we want to encourage as many young people to achieve at the highest level that they possibly can.

“Becoming a top athlete requires immense talent, dedication, coaching and family support. But there’s another important element that sometimes gets overlooked – and that’s money. We recognise that competing at the top level in sport can be costly, and we hope the fund helps overcome the financial hardship that can come when competing at this exceptionally high level.”

Full details of the funding criteria is available to download from the County Council’s website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/talented

Applicants must live in Nottinghamshire and have until Monday, 7 December 2020, to apply.