New £15,000 boost for young Olympic hopefuls

Young Olympic hopefuls in South Norfolk will get a share of £15,000 every year to help them with their preparations.

The announcement by South Norfolk Council doubles the money it has already invested through its Community Sport Achiever Awards, which this week went to 56 youngsters.

Among the 56 were three young sports stars now on Olympic-style preparation programmes.

Tom Barber of Denton, near Harleston, Laura MacDonald of Barford near Norwich and Bethany Coggins of Hethersett near Wymondham are viewed as strong contenders for future Games by UK javelin record holder Goldie Sayers.

She was at Dunston Hall this week to hand out the awards.

The new Olympic Sports Ambassador Award was announced by Council Leader John Fuller.

He said he was determined that local youngsters should not face the fight his grandfather had in preparing for the 1932 Olympics.

Runner Stanley Fuller – or Flying Fuller as he was known, was fortunate just to get unpaid time off work to go to Los Angeles.

Councillor Fuller, who wore his grandfather’s Olympic tie in memory, admitted he had been "useless" at sport, but said:

"My grandfather was a pioneer in 1932 at an Olympics which had photo-finishes for the first time, and the first Olympic village. Our youngsters can be pioneers too.

"We are absolutely determined to give our genuine Olympic prospects an opportunity to represent us and their country at the Games.

"This new award will also give them a chance to evangelize for sport, because they will be carrying our hopes and dreams. They are an inspiration, and give us a sense of optimism for the future."

The Olympic Sports Ambassador Award will help pay significant transport and related costs of getting to first class training facilities.

In return, winners must inspire other youngsters by involving themselves with coaching, assisting with holiday play schemes, helping in local sports clubs or visiting schools.

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