GRANTS of up to £250 are now available for talented young sportspeople, to help them achieve sporting success and reduce some of the costs often associated with playing sport at a county or regional level.  

Applications for this year’s Sir Arthur Marshall Future Champions Programme are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday 8 July. 

The programme, which is administered by Cambridge City Council and sponsored by Marshall of Cambridge, is open to young people who live in either Cambridge or South Cambridgeshire, and who play the majority of their sport in Cambridge itself.  

The criteria for eligibility for grants are as follows: 

 - Applicants should be aged between 11 and 25  

 - They should be competing at county or regional level 

 - Athletes must live in Cambridge city or South Cambridgeshire 

 - Priority given to Olympic and Paralympic sports 

 - The majority of applicants’ training must take place in Cambridge

After the closing date for applications the judging panel for the programme then meets in early August to consider applications received, and awards grants of between £50 and £250 which is used to cover the cost of things like coaching, equipment, travel and entry fees.

An awards ceremony will be held at Marshall Cambridge Airport on Tuesday 13 September and applicants need to ensure they can attend to receive their funding.    

Since the Future Champions programme began, it has helped fund a variety of athletes competing in a range of sports including swimming, judo, triathlon, table tennis, athletics, diving, tennis, kayaking and more.  

Cllr Anna Smith, Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “I am very pleased that the council and Marshall are once again helping Cambridge’s talented sporting youngsters on their pathway to future success. The Future Champions programme recognises young people’s dedication, ambition, perseverance and potential.  

“I would encourage any young sportspeople who think they would benefit from a grant to apply to the Future Champions scheme, and I will look forward to meeting the successful applicants later in the year to celebrate their dedication and achievements.” 

An application form and further details can be found on the council website at www.cambridge.gov.uk/future-champions-grants