Sports Academy for young international performers - 04/10/06

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council Sports Development team is inviting young international performers residing within its area to apply for assistance with training.

 

A maximum of 50 successful applicants will receive a card entitling them to train at any of the seven identified Council-owned leisure facilities for one year.

 

This opportunity allows successful candidates to access facilities including fitness studios, swimming pools and sports halls at Barry, Cowbridge, Holm View (Barry), Llantwit Major and Penarth. Also available for potential free use are the Colcot Sports Centre and Jenner Park Athletics Stadium.

 

Vale Sports, Arts and Play Development Manager Karen Davies said: "The 2006 Sports Academy scheme replaces the Gold Card scheme and will continue to offer young performers a wonderful sporting development opportunity."

 

The rigorous selection criteria outlines that applicants must be Welsh or British internationals in a sport that has a national governing body recognised by the Sports Council for Wales. Current internationals and performers under the age of 25 will take priority.

 

Only if applications are low will individuals in Welsh squads be considered, and the national governing body must then demonstrate that the person will almost certainly become an international.

 

Performers already receiving financial assistance will not be eligible for the scheme. Due to limited spaces, meeting criteria will not automatically result in selection. Internationals are only advised to apply for the scheme if they will benefit from the facilities offered, eg, training at a gymnasium or accessing badminton courts, etc.

 

Karen added: “Applicants should be aware that the selection panel will consider the appropriateness of the facilities on offer in relation to the sport undertaken. The national governing body representative must also sign the form to authenticate the international representation.”

 

The deadline for the return of completed application forms is Thursday, 30th November, 2006. To request a Sports Academy application pack, telephone Julie Morgan on (01446) 704754. Visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk for more details on sports development opportunities in the Vale.