Latest Believe Talent Fund athletes aiming to emulate golden girl Keely

Rising sports stars from Wigan Borough are dreaming of following in the footsteps of Keely Hodgkinson after securing support from the council’s Believe Talent Fund.

A dozen young athletes have been awarded grants of up to £500 to help chase their sporting ambitions.

The news comes just weeks after Keely, a former beneficiary of the scheme, won 800m gold at the Paris Olympics.

Councillor Chris Ready, Wigan Council portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Watching Keely win her gold medal was such an amazing moment for our borough and the culmination of years of hard work and dedication on her part.

“We’ve always believed in Keely and, through our Believe Talent Fund, we’re proud to have played even a small role in getting her to where she is today.

“Getting to the top takes incredible commitment and sacrifice from the athletes and their families – and the idea of our fund is to remove some of the financial burden that comes with pursuing a career in sport.

“The latest grant recipients all have wonderful potential in their chosen sports, with some already winning gold medals of their own, and we want them to know we’re right behind them.”

Organised by Be Well and sponsored by local businesses Fielden Factors and JJH Building Contractors Ltd, the Believe Talent Fund is open to athletes aged 11-24 and living in Wigan Borough who require financial assistance to participate in sport. Athletes with disabilities can also apply irrespective of age.

More than 140 potential stars have now benefited from support since the fund’s launch in 2015 – with Commonwealth bronze medallists Harry Coppell (pole vault) and Charlie Bowling (wrestling) also among those to have got help towards the costs of travel, accommodation, training and equipment.

Those awarded grants this time around include European champion and World silver medallist Tyler Cooper, 13, of Black Scorpion Karate Club, and 11-year-old Ben Pringle of Elite Sports Karate - a current European silver medallist who hopes to go one further at the championships in Poland next month.

Joining them in being congratulated by the Mayor at Believe Square were Nathaniel Eames of Mid Lancs BMX Club, 13, Isobelle Robb, 19, and Lucy Blenkinship, 16, of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club, and England Touch Rugby international Tom Lowe, 15, who is fresh from winning the European Junior Touch Championship in Vichy, France.

Coun Ready added: “We can’t wait to see what they all achieve next and, you never know… just like Keely they might one day get their own Believe Star!”

Applications for the next round of Believe Talent Fund grants are open until 31 October 2024. For more information on how to apply visit believe talent fund.