Future champions programme set to provide boost for talented young sportspeople

Budding sports stars in Cambridge can apply for financial help from this year’s Sir Arthur Marshall Future Champions Programme, which is now open.

The programme, which is administered by Cambridge City Council and sponsored by Marshall of Cambridge, awards grants each year to accomplished sportspeople between the ages of 11 and 25, to help them achieve their sporting goals.

Successful applicants receive grants of between £100 and £500 which can help towards the costs of coaching, equipment, transport or competition fees.

Priority for the grants is given to people competing in Olympic and Paralympic sports who are currently competing at county or regional level, but applications are also welcome from people competing in non-Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Applications for this year’s grants close on Monday 30 July. Once applications have been received, the Future Champions judging panel meets to consider them.

Since the programme began, it has helped fund over 60 young athletes from the city competing in different sports including swimming, goalball, triathlon, athletics, roller hockey, kayaking and more.

The programme has been supported for the past seven years by the DG Marshall of Cambridge Trust, in memory of Sir Arthur Marshall. Sir Arthur was a renowned runner in his day, and was a member of the Great Britain team at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, which was immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire.

Cllr Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “I am very pleased that the council and DG Marshall Trust will again be looking to support some of Cambridge’s most talented youngsters in the Future Champions awards programme.

“Sporting success can cost a good deal of money, as well as demanding much commitment and sacrifice from young people and their parents. As well as helping people financially, the awards recognise achievement, and can help inspire others to feel the benefits of getting involved in sport in Cambridge.”

Christopher Walkinshaw from Marshall said: “We are proud to support the Future Champions awards programme which aims to help young athletes from Cambridge to achieve their sporting ambitions.”

An application form can be downloaded from https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/future-champions-grants. For more information people can email sport@cambridge.gov.uk or phone 01223 457532.