A CALL has gone out to businesses to help support the next generation of local sporting talent.
Youngsters hoping to emulate the success of the likes of Richie Ramsay, Hannah Miley and Katherine Grainger are being assisted by the Aberdeenshire Sports Council Talent Fund.
Chamber member Expertec Recruitment of Westhill is one of the first companies to sign up to support a young talented sports person through its contribution to the new fund.
They are directly supporting junior international target shooter Brogan Smith from Rothienorman, who has recently made it to his first ever international final to become junior champion and is the youngest member of the Aberdeen & District county air rifle team.
As well as Brogan, so far the newly launched Talent Fund has supported young boxer Billy Stewart and gymnast Izzy Tolometti.
One former recipient of funding from the sports council is canoeist Tim Baillie MBE, who famously went on to win a gold medal in the London Olympics.
Aberdeenshire Sports Council has a primary focus of encouraging interest and participation of sport across the shire and has supported supported many talented young athletes over the last 20 years.
Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of these young athletes competing at the national and international level and the council has decided to seek additional external funding to help lighten the financial burden on these talented sports people.
It is looking for more local companies adding to the three already secured to contribute £500 to increase the Aberdeenshire Sports Council Talent Fund for young people, of 21 and under.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Sports Council Alan Still said: “A company’s sponsorship offers a unique link with a talented youngster who may well become a sporting star of the future, already being at Scottish International level with some on the Great Britain Development Pathway.
“We have a positive association with a number of businesses and know that the benefits to the local business community of being associated with sport and talented individuals can be substantial offering great kudos as well as good promotion of the company to the larger community.”
As well as Tim Baillie, the sports council has other influential supports, with Katherine Grainger previously expressing her support for the sports council’s efforts, saying: “Congratulations to all on the fantastic work you do encouraging, supporting and celebrating sport.
“Keep up the good work.”
If you are interested in the new Aberdeenshire Sports Council Talent Fund, get in touch with their Secretary, Keith Leslie by telephone or email on (01771) 613666 or Sportscouncil.secretary@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Young boxer Billy Stewart, a silver medallist at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa, has also been helped by the Talent Fund