Unique sponsorship scheme for area’s rising sports stars

athletes in Sunderland are being given the opportunity to receive funding from a local leisure provider as part of its mentoring scheme.

Everyone Active is urging aspiring sports stars to apply for funding and support as part of its Everyone Active

Sporting Champions initiative.

The scheme, which is now entering its fifth year, has helped more than 1,000 local athletes to achieve their sporting potential by offering them access to high-quality training facilities, financial support and expert advice.

All athletes are provided with free access to Everyone Active’s centres across the country and are given exclusive opportunities to join mentoring sessions led by some of Britain’s most influential sports stars, including Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson.

Those on the higher tiers of the programme can also receive a sponsorship grant of up to £5,000 to help towards their training, equipment and competition costs.

Everyone Active operates several centres across Sunderland in partnership with Sunderland City CounUp-and-coming cil and is encouraging local athletes to come forward.

Duncan Jefford, director of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, said: “We have exciting plans for the future of the scheme and I would encourage any athletes from Sunderland that are looking not just for funding, but also mentoring for their future sports career, to apply.”

The online application form is available at www.eas portingchampions.com/ap ply-now

The application window will close on Friday, February 28.