GO GOLD Funding Programme now open

The aim of GO GOLD is to support local talented athletes who are being recognised by their National Governing Bodies of Sport as being our future Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games participants.

The GO GOLD Funding Programme which supports talented athletes is celebrating 10 years, having supported over 500 athletes from across 66 different sports.

Key highlights of the programme include supporting rower and Olympic finalist Jonny Walton from Kirby Muxloe. Jonny finished 5^th in the Men's Double Scull at the Rio 2016 Olympics. In June Jonny won Gold in the Quadruple Sculls at the Rowing World Cup in Poland and was part of the team that won Silver at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in September.

Jonny has previously spoken about the support he received from GO GOLD:

"The support LRS' GO GOLD Funding Programme gave to me was invaluable in my development as an athlete giving me access to things to help me train, race and perform".

Emily Scarratt from Desford was part of the Women's World Cup winning England Rugby Team in 2014. Emily has gone on to captain Team GB's Women's Rugby 7's Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. During the 2017 World Cup, Emily played a pivotal part as England progressed through to the final.

Other athletes supported over the last 10 years include:

• Grace Garner (Blaby), road cyclist with Wiggle High5 Professional Cycling Team
• Lucy Garner (Blaby), road cyclist for Wiggle High5 Professional Cycling Team and double Junior World Road Race Champion (2011 & 2012).
• Megan Jones (North West Leicestershire) England 7s/15s Pro Rugby Player.
• Lizzie Warner (Blaby), Archer for GB and Andrew Stamp, (Harborough), GB Trampoline Gymnast, selected for the Team GB Rio 2016 Ambition Programme.
• Ben Dijkstra (Charnwood), GB Triathlete and 2 x Youth Olympic Triathlon Champion. Bronze Medalist in the ITU Triathlon Junior World Championships.
• Lucy Hall (Harborough)London 2012 Team GB Olympic Triathlete.
• Laura Samuel (Leicester City), Triple Jumper, 5 x British Champion and Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist (2014).
• Dan McLay (Charnwood) professional cyclist for Fortuneo-Vital Concept who finished third on Stage Six of the Tour De France. Dan was the first county rider to race at the Tour de France and had four top 10 finishes throughout the event (2016).

The 2018 GO GOLD Funding Programme opened on Wednesday 1^st November and closes on 31^st December 2017.

LRS is working alongside some Local Authorities to continue to offer two levels of athlete funding; Podium and Performance:

Podium Level Funding

For athletes competing at Regional (East Midlands), National or International Level in an Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth discipline.

This level is funded by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council. All eligible applicants will be automatically be put forward for Podium Level Funding.

Performance Level Funding

Unsuccessful applicants at Podium Level will be automatically referred to their Local Authority for a Performance grant (£100) if their Local Authority is participating in the programme.

This level is funded by Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicester City Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Rutland County Council.

Athletes should be aged 14-23 years on 31^st December 2017 and applications from athletes who are 12-13 years may be considered only if they are competing at National/International level.

Applicants must live in Leicestershire, Leicester City or Rutland and be in full time education. Athletes should be in the local school system or if athletes are currently studying away at University, their parents/non term time address should be in Leicestershire, Leicester or Rutland.

Applications are now open