Cash boost for youngsters to help them pursue their sports

Georgia Morrison and Rhys McCole are the first youngsters to receive funding through the revised and updated grant scheme run by the Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards organisers.

Georgia, 17, holds the Inverclyde record for the fastest female over 300 metres and is also the fastest local female over 60, 200, 400 and 800m.

The grant she has received has gone towards the costs of training camps and equipment.

Boxer Rhys has been involved in lobbying for and securing disability boxing provision over the last 18 months.

Boxing Scotland has now provided adaptations and specific training as a result of the campaign he was heavily involved in.

This was a team effort with the Scottish Government, Boxing Scotland, Sportscotland and Young Scot.

Rhys was also a finalist for the BBC Young reporter scheme after making a film about his journey in the sport, which was broadcast nationwide on the BBC’s Good Morning programme.

He won a boxing silver medal at the Western District Championships last year.

His grant will be used for training and equipment costs.

Rhys said: "I was delighted to hear about the Sports Personality awards grant scheme and even more to be awarded a grant.

"The grants are extremely useful, particularly for access to training facilities, equipment and a whole host of positive sporting necessities.

"Grants can have a real positive impact for people and can greatly help the financial burden placed on some athletes and their families."

Details of the Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards scheme can be found at www.inverclydesportspersonality.com and are also available from local sports clubs.

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Left to right are Hugh Scott from Inverclyde Council (one of the grant scheme organisers through its Active Schools team), David McCorkindale from Inverclyde Leisure (another of the organisers) Rhys McCole, Chris Jewell from New Horizons (another of the organisers), presenter Amber Livingstone from Radio Clyde) and Georgia Morrison.