Council funding to help support budding Olympians and Paralympians

The Talented Athletes fund is part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Communities Fund (LCF) which offers financial help and support to local communities.

The funding is designed to support up-and-coming athletes to realise their potential in their chosen sport, particularly those competing in disability/parasports who may require expensive adapted equipment, clothing, or have higher transport costs.

Eligible athletes have been recommended for grant awards ranging from £400 to £1,000. The recommendations took into consideration the competition level and the additional costs incurred by para-athletes.

Successful applications included representation from all Nottinghamshire districts covering 34 different sports.

Councillor Dawn Justice the council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health said:

“With Team GB’s most successful Winter Olympics ever, this funding is very timely. We are proud to support Nottinghamshire athletes, including those who are the budding Olympians and Paralympians of the future.

“Coaching and related costs continue to rise, making training and competing in performance sport very challenging.”

Kerryn Chamberlin, Strategic Director of Active Notts said:

“We know financial barriers to compete in sport creates inequalities and by having support towards travel expenses, equipment, coaching fees or even gym membership can help. For our local athletes, having opportunities such as these are so useful in their journey to the Olympics, Paralympics, or Special Olympics"

The current four-year LCF programme (2022–2026) which includes Talented Athletes, concludes on 31 March 2026, as originally planned. Councillor Justice explains how a new funding scheme is being planned. She said:

“We are now evaluating this fund, including some of the criteria, to ensure it continues to meet the council’s priorities. We want to assure everyone that this review is about strengthening impact, not removing support.”

Successful recipients will be contacted by the council over the coming days.