Robert Simpson (left) and Mark Proctor

Olympic grant scheme takes to the water

A scheme to help young athletes achieve their 2012 Olympic dreams has been launched.

Robert Simpson, Staffordshire County Council's Deputy Leader, took to the water to hand over the first Young People's Sports Grant to leading slalom canoeist Mark Proctor.

The former Wolgarston High School pupil from Penkridge is aiming to make the 2012 Olympic squad and could even participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is the top athlete in his sport aged under 23.

Training and competing is a full-time occupation for Mark, but the sport struggles for funding in the face of competition from more high-profile events.

Mark said: "Extra funding and recognition from Staffordshire County Council is a great boost to my hopes and helps improve my profile and that of the sport. I'm delighted to be the first recipient of a Young People's Sports Grant."

Mark, a member of Stafford and Stone canoe club and has competed in Australia, Brazil, Holland and Slovenia this year alone. And while overseas trips are funded by the British Canoe Union, the leading authority for the sport in the country, much of his training has to be self-funding.

Mark added: "Reaching this level in any sport is a full-time occupation and takes total dedication, and I am very grateful for the support I receive from my family and sponsorship.

"Most days out of competition are spent training at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. The grant will help with the purchase of equipment, and travel to competitions and training within the UK."

The Staffordshire County Council grant scheme is designed to support sporting excellence and to encourage young people to achieve the highest standards in sport. Mark will receive £500.

Cllr Simpson, whose responsibilities include services fro Children and Young People is an experienced athlete and has completed 18 London Marathon's, with a best time of two hours 44 minutes. He joined mark on the River Trent at Stone, close to the home of the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club

He said "I am delighted that we can support Mark. I was an honour to join him in the water for my first experience in a canoe. It was very enjoyable and I'm seriously thinking about coming back when the weather is a bit warmer!

"We aim to encourage young people to engage in physical activity at all levels, and athletes like Mark can act as real role models for young people.

"The 2012 Olympics will be the highest profile sporting event held in this country since the 1966 World Cup. We want to play our part in ensuring British athletes are successful and that a fair proportion of them come from Staffordshire.

"If the success of our athletes in 2012 inspires others to be active and healthy then this grant will reap enormous dividends across the county."

Any young person can apply for the grant as long as they meet the three main criteria. They must attend a Staffordshire school or live in the county; must be involved in an Olympic sport or a priority sport identified by Sport England; be identified by their sport's National Governing Body as a member of a national development or performance squad.

Any you athlete who wants to find out more about the Young People's Sport Grant can contact Clive Jones. The county council's Officer for Active Lifestyles on 01785 278266 or clive.jones@staffordshire.gov.uk

Page Last Modified: 17/04/2008 14:23:36

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