Sport Haslemere has launched a major new initiative entitled 'Create a Star'. This project is aimed at supporting Haslemere sports people to reach the highest level within their chosen sport on the international stage.
Launching the scheme at the Sport Haslemere Meeting Chris Grimes, Chairman of Sport Haslemere, said 'Following our announcement of the scheme in principle at our Annual Sports awards in April I am delighted we can now formally launch 'Create a Star' for the benefit of youngsters in the Haslemere Area who have the potential to compete at International Level'
Nick Chilton, Chairman of Active Waverley and a member of the Surrey Sports Council gave members a brief history of the development of the scheme for Haslemere and how, in the longer term, it might be extended to Farnham & Cranleigh and eventually across the whole of Surrey. Nick said ' The Create a Star project for Haslemere is borne out of a very successful initiative in Godalming entitled Going for Gold which has been running for over 2 years and was originally aimed at potential Olympians for the 2012 Olympic Games in London'. He reported that 8 athletes had recently received grants to help them achieve Olympic status for 2012 and another 4 had received grants who had the 2016 Olympics as their goal.
Andrew McQuillan, Managing Director of Haslemere Sport Association (HSA) and Tony Manos, a Director of HSA, explained the details of the scheme which is expected to be up and running in the next few weeks – subject to Charity Commission approval. Andrew said 'We are initially aiming to have a fund of £25,000 spread over a 5 year period and expect to be able to support up to 10 athletes each year.' ' The size of the fund will depend on the support we get from local business and charitable grants but indications are already promising' he said. Tony Manos told the meeting that applications would be invited for receipt by the end of August and these would be reviewed by an Independent Panel with the first grants being awarded in October 2010.
The Mayor of Haslemere and President of Sport Haslemere Mrs Melanie Odell congratulated Sport Haslemere & Haslemere Sport Association on the development of this joint initiative and looked forward to being able to support youngsters from the Haslemere Area to achieve their full potential.
Mrs Carole Cockburn, the Mayor of Waverley, praised the initiative and told members they should be proud of this project which would help ensure youngsters were encouraged to develop their skills to the highest levels.
Informational leaflets explaining the scheme to potential athletes and local business people, designed by Grayshott based graphic design company Visual Assets, are now being distributed locally and can be downloaded here;
Create A Star Leaflet for Young Sportspeople
Create A Star Application Form for Young Sportspeople
Create A Star Leaflet for Sponsors
Create A Star Leaflet Business Proposition
How to find out more...
Individuals wanting to enquire about Create A Star funding, and companies seeking further information about the scheme, can also contact the Project Co-ordinator, Thelma Traviss, Email: m.t.traviss@talktalk.net Tel: 01428 644406
