UP-AND-COMING athletes in East Hampshire are being given the opportunity to receive funding from a local leisure provider as part of its athletes 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, now entering its fifth year, has helped over 1,000 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.

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.

Athletes are also given exclusive opportunities to join mentoring sessions led by some of Britain’s most influential sports stars including Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson CBE.

In 2019, the scheme hosted sessions across the country which included talks from industry experts alongside Olympic and Paralympic athletes who shared their personal experiences and advice.

The initiative also held a number of sporting champions sports days with local schools across the country encouraging young people to try different types of activity and sports.

Everyone Active operates Alton Sports Centre, Mill Chase Leisure Centre and Taro Leisure Centre in partnership with East Hampshire District Council.

It currently supports a number of sports men and women in the area including cyclist Victoria Wyeth.

Online applications are open from January 27 to February 28. See www.easportingchampions.com