The programme – which is administered by Cambridge City Council and sponsored by Marshall of Cambridge – awards grants each year to outstanding able-bodied and disabled sportspeople aged 11-25, to help them achieve their sporting ambitions.
Priority is given to people competing in Olympic and Paralympic sports and who are currently competing at county or regional level.
Applications for this year’s grants close on Monday 31 July. Once applications have been received, the Future Champions judging panel meets to consider the applications.
Those applicants who are successful can qualify for grants of between £100 and £500 to go towards helping their sporting development with things such as coaching, equipment and transport costs, or tournament fees.
Since the programme began, it has helped fund a variety of athletes competing in different sports including swimming, goalball, triathlon, athletics, roller hockey, kayaking and more.
To date more than 50 young sportsmen and women have received grants in the programme including para-cyclist Louis Rolfe, who won gold and bronze medals at last year’s Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, and England Under-19 and Middlesex cricketer Max Holden.
The programme has been supported for the past six 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 are once again rewarding Cambridge’s talented sporting youngsters as they continue their quest for future glory. The Future Champions awards programme recognises hard work, ambition, perseverance and potential.
“I wish the applicants well and future success in their chosen sports. I’m sure that the young recipients of the awards can help inspire others to become more active and engaged in community life, and feel the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”
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.”
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An application form can be downloaded from www.cambridge.gov.uk/future-champions-sports-grant-scheme. For more information people can email [email protected]