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Elite athlete grant funding criteria and guidelines

Wiltshire Council, in partnership with Wiltshire businesses, will provide 10 talented athletes with a grant of £1000 each to enable continued development in their respective sports with a view to challenging for honours at the highest level of their sport.

This funding can be used to help individuals access training and competitive opportunities, purchase equipment and to cover transport costs for attending regional or national events. The grants will help to uncover the sporting stars of the future residing in Wiltshire and provide them with assistance towards gaining the ultimate in sporting achievements. Applications are invited from any individual who is competing at a regional or national level and who reside in Wiltshire (Wiltshire Council area).

Eligibility

Applicants must be a Wiltshire resident (excludes Swindon). Applicants can be any age.

Applications are invited from individuals who are competing at a national or international level, in an Olympic/Paralympic sport or in a sport that is recognised by Sport England.

Funding criteria

Completing the application

Applications must be made online.

Elite Athlete Grant Application (opens new window)

Section one: About you

Please complete your name, address and contact details. You must include your date of birth and include a daytime telephone number and a clear email address.

Section two: About your sport

Please complete the details of the sport that you compete in.

Please list your major achievements in the past year. If using abbreviations, please explain what these are.

Section three: Costs

You must include details of the annual costs incurred through your involvement in your sport including accommodation, transport, competition entry fees and equipment etc for the last 12 months. Please also outline what your costs will be for the upcoming year and detail how you would use a FFOP grant should your application be successful.

Section four: Future goals

Fully outline your future ambitions and goals for your sport both in the short-term over the next 12 months and long-term, including specific milestones and competition achievements.

Please detail why you feel Wiltshire Council should support you.

Section five: Supporting evidence

Your application must be supported by two referees. One referee must be either a relevant National Governing Body (NGB) officer (national or international), or a national/international level coach, who can confirm your participation at that level and your status as a talented athlete.

The letters must be uploaded to your online application as directed.

You must inform your referees that they may be contacted in relation to your application, and we ask you to confirm you have done this.

You will not be able to submit your application unless you have uploaded the letters.

Section six: Photo

You need to upload a high-resolution photo of you in action as a JPEG file as directed o the online application.

Please save the file using your name and ensure you have permission to share any images with us and we have permission to reproduce. If an acknowledgement of the photographer is required, please include that on your application.

You will not be able to submit your application unless you have uploaded the photo.

Submitting an application

Complete the online application form by 5pm on Monday 22 January 2024, ensuring you have provided all the relevant information and have uploaded your supporting letters you're your referees and your photo.

Applications received after 5pm on this date (Monday 22 January 2024) may not be considered.

There is no 'save and return' function on the online application therefore you need to have all your information, letters and photo ready to complete in one session.

You will be sent an acknowledgement on receipt of your application by email. If you do not receive an email this is an indication that we have not received it and it is your responsibility to check this prior to the deadline date.

Once the decision has been made in February 2024, you will receive a letter by email to indicate whether you have been successful or not.
Successful applicants will be required to attend the Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner on 21 March 2024 in Trowbridge where the grants will be presented.

Funding criteria

You need to make sure that your application meets all the essential criteria shown below:

  1. You are a resident in the Wiltshire Council area (excluding Swindon).
  2. You can be any age.
  3. You must already be involved and competing at a minimum of national representative level in an Olympic/Paralympic sport or a sport recognised by Sport England.
  4. You can either compete as an individual or within a team.
  5. You must include details of the annual costs incurred through your involvement in your sport including accommodation, transport, competition entry fees and equipment etc.
  6. You must include letters from two referees, one of which must be from a relevant national governing body representative officer or a national/international level coach, who is able to confirm that you are currently involved in your nominated sport to at least national standard or above.
  7. Funding will not be awarded for retrospective costs. Any award made will be for the provision of future costs associated with your involvement in your sport.
  8. Applicants must acknowledge Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Sports Scholarship financial support in any press articles written about them and include both the Wiltshire Council and Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians logos in any printed media or promotional material (either on hard, or electronic copy). The logos will be provided and must be used in accordance with the council's branding guidelines.
  9. Successful applicants will be required to sign a grant agreement form before the grant will be issued. 
  10. Successful applicants are required to commit to at least two personal appearances at events organised by Wiltshire Council, or its partner businesses, during 2023. These will be agreed with the athlete when appropriate to their training and competition schedule.
  11. Any successful applicant who is judged by their NGB to have brought their sport in to disrepute or receives a ban for doping offences within 5 years will be required to return the grant money.

Contact

If you have any questions about this grant or how to apply please contact: Tamzin Earley, Arts and Funding Manager
Tel:07824 414507
Email: ffopgrants@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)

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