Last chance to apply for support from Halo Sport Foundation

Local athletes can follow in the footsteps of their Olympic and Paralympic heroes by applying for support from the Halo Sports Foundation.

The closing date for applications is Monday, February 20, and the Foundation is providing critical support, such as offering free membership to Halo’s athletic and recreational facilities. Financial support is also awarded to some successful applicants.

Those who have been supported by the program in the past include Paralympic gold medalist Aled Davies OBE and former world champion triathlete Helen Jenkins.

The initiative is also open to disabled athletes and over 100 local people are currently being supported by the programme.

The foundation is open to a variety of sports including triathlon, swimming, shooting, gymnastics, para-table tennis, judo, deaf rugby, rugby, water polo, netball, basketball, taekwondo, track and field, rowing, surfing, canoeing, squash and tennis. Other sports recognized by Sport Wales are also considered.

The admission criteria are:

• Supported athletes must live/be educated (school, college, university) in Bridgend County Borough.
• Be a member of an affiliated club that has a training base in the Bridgend County Borough.
• You should compete in Olympic, Paralympic, Pigeon Olympic and Special Olympic sports or an Olympic-inspired sport.
• Applications are open to all age groups; However, the program aims to support young talented athletes.

Simon Gwynne, Halo Partnership Manager, said: “We see the launch as an opportunity to give back to the community that has been so supportive of us.

“In addition to offering free training opportunities, we plan to host a series of guest speaker masterclasses on topics such as athletic excellence, performance, nutrition and sports psychology for aspiring athletes.”

The Halo Sports Foundation is an excellent opportunity for aspiring athletes to access essential support that will help them have the best chance of succeeding in their chosen sport.

Those who apply will be following in the footsteps of some of the county’s most distinguished sports stars and it is particularly gratifying to see that the foundation is open to disabled athletes and covers a wide range of sports.

Cllr Rhys Goode, Cabinet Member for Future Generations and Wellbeing

Visit the Halo Sports Foundation website for application forms and more information.