Nineteen elite sports men and women from the Borough of Broxbourne have recently received an ‘Opportunity for Excellence’ Award.
Nineteen elite sports men and women from the Borough of Broxbourne have recently received an ‘Opportunity for Excellence’ Award.
Broxbourne Borough Council’s 'Opportunity for Excellence' award scheme supports elite sports performers residing in the Borough and competing at county level or higher with a training support package to access Broxbourne Council’s Leisure Centre facilities free of charge throughout the year. Athletes aged 11+ can choose to access swimming pools, gym equipment and a variety of other facilities to boost their fitness and training requirements.
This year’s recipients include 24-year-old Bethan Forrow and 25-year-old Phoebe Spicer who are international canoeists for Team GB in the canoe slalom discipline. Also in receipt of the award was 18-year-old Anna Hursey who represented Team GB at the 2024 Olympic Games in Table Tennis; 83-yearl-old John Nugent a triathlete who competes at the World Championships in the 80-84 age group; 17-year-old Zaneya Cunningham who plays for the England Under-19 netball academy; 22-year-old Lewis Gosling who won a silver medal at the European Gymnastics Championships in 2022; 14-year old Arav Patel who plays for Hertfordshire County Cricket Under-15 side; 14-year-old Maya Kihogo who is the current Hertfordshire 100m Under-15 champion; and 12-year-old Archie Crouch who plays in goal for Cambridge United’s Academy.
Councillor Pierce Connolly, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture said:
Broxbourne is home to some truly exceptional athletes, and we’re proud to back their ambitions. Through the Opportunities for Excellence scheme, we’re investing in future champions. Whether it’s local, national, or international success, we want these rising stars to know that their community believes in them and is behind them every step of the way.
The deadline for the next round of ‘Opportunity for Excellence' applications is 31 March 2026. For more information, or to complete an online application form, please visit www.broxbourne.gov.uk/OFE or contact Broxbourne Council's Sport Development officer at amit.chadha@broxbourne.gov.uk.