Young Hopefuls are Given a Boost by a Doncaster Trust
Young people in Doncaster who have sporting aspirations are off the starting blocks thanks to a partnership between the town’s leisure venues and SportsAid Yorkshire and Humber.
Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust has given free use of ten of its eleven venues to twelve young people from across the borough.
SportsAid was established in 1976 to provide support to talented athletes at the most important stage of their journey - when they’re starting out.
Michael Hart, Interim Chief Executive of Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust who manage leisure venues including Adwick, Armthorpe, Askern, Edlington, Rossington, St James Thorne and the Dome, said: “Providing free use of the facilities for twelve athletes for twelve months fits perfectly with our vision for an Aspire Academy in Doncaster which will work with local talent to help them focus and improve their abilities in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.
“We are really pleased to be able to partner with SportsAid to help this twelve young people reach their full potential.
“Our venues offer a wide range of facilities and our staff work closely with people to help them to set and achieve sporting and fitness goals.
“Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust is proud to be nurturing local talent and we will be following these individuals closely to see what they achieve.”
The twelve young people who have been given a boost by this partnership are keen athletes covering sports including 18 year old Connor Nixon from Hatfield who is one of the UK’s most exciting prospects in Boxing. Connor is currently ranked number one in his age and weight in the UK and is aiming to medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Rob Clarke, Regional Development Manager for SportsAid said: "SportsAid is here to help our talented youngsters on their pathway to Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth glory and for our athletes the support of local business is often the difference between making it and not.”
In 2010/11 SportsAid made awards to 215 athletes in Yorkshire alone, distributing over £148,000 in awards to the region’s next generation of sporting talent.
