Despite these unprecedented times, Broxbourne Borough Council proudly marked the success of six sports men and women in the Borough with ‘Opportunity for Excellence’ awards.
The award aims to support elite athletes competing at county level or higher, with a free training package granting a year’s access to the Council’s leisure centres. Given the current situation, awardees will be able to take full advantage of their year’s membership from a date of their choice once the leisure centres in the Borough re-open.
The award scheme is open to sports performers of all ages who currently reside in Broxbourne. Athletes can choose to access swimming pools, gym equipment (ages 14+) and a variety of other facilities to boost their fitness and training requirements.
This year’s recipients (in alphabetical order) are 15 year old Adam Healy, an American Footballer from Cheshunt who will be representing Team GB at the Junior European Championships in 2021 and whose team ‘The Hertfordshire Cheetahs’ won the Under 17s Conference Championship; 17 year old Ellis Miller from Hoddesdon, who represented Great Britain at senior and junior levels in both canoe and kayak slalom; Frankie Gould, a 15 year old rugby player from Cheshunt who recently joined the Saracens Rugby Club’s Academy; 78 year old John Nugent, a seasoned triathlete from Broxbourne who will be representing Team GB at the World Triathlon Finals in the USA; 20 year old canoeist and kayaker Phoebe Spicer from Hoddesdon who will be representing Team GB in the Junior World and European Championships and 17 year old Taylor Bloor, an American Footballer from Hoddesdon who represents Team GB at U19s level.
Past recipients of the scheme, who have gone on to have successful careers making them household names, include England International Netballer Georgina Fisher, 4 times Olympic Champion cyclist Laura Kenny CBE and
Lucy Charles-Barclay, 3 times World Ironman Champion triathlete.
Councillor Siobhan Monaghan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Services said: “There is a wealth of talent out there and Broxbourne Borough Council is committed to supporting our sports stars of the future through funding access to the fantastic facilities on offer in Broxbourne.
“I would urge our local athletes to apply for the same funding that supported GB track cycle star, Laura Kenny, to the finest moment of her sporting career, competing and winning multiple gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games.”
The deadline for the next round of ‘Opportunity for Excellence' applications is 31 March 2021. 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 matthew.ridley@broxbourne.gov.uk.