Cash up for grabs for talented young athletes

Rebecca Scown, centre, and the recipients of the latest round of funding from the Mitre 10 Mega Futures Champions Trust.

The Mitre 10 Mega Future Champions Trust September funding round is open and the trust is calling for final applications before the round closes on Sunday.

The Future Champions Trust provides financial support to talented young athletes who have the opportunity to compete at international level in their chosen sport but may need financial assistance to make this possible.

The trust has been operating for four years and granted $44,000 to 40 individual athletes, assisting them in participating in international events like Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World Cups and other major events in their chosen sport.

"It is great to be able to support the talented young people of our region to follow their dreams. With the centralisation of national sports academies the costs and opportunities for these talented individuals are at times challenging," trust chairwoman Philippa Baker Hogan said.

The trust encourage all athletes interested in applying to visit the website www.futurechampionstrust.org to access the criteria for the fund and application form.

Funding rounds are held twice yearly, at the end of March and September with the latest round providing grants to:

Nathan Luff — Rowing, selected to represent New Zealand against Australia in the under-21 series held in Australia in June. Jack Clifton — Kayaking, selected to compete for the CRNZ u18 team at the Asia Pacific Regatta in Australia in May and the Junior World Championship Regatta held in Bulgaria in July. Liam Lace — Canoeing, selected to compete in the ICF Canoe Sprint Junior World Championships held in Bulgaria in July and the Asia Pacific Regatta held in Adelaide in May. Lucas Thompson — Kayaking, selected to compete in the Asia Pacific Regatta held in Australia in May. James Rountree — Motocross, selected to compete in the Australian Motocross Champs to be held in Australia next month. Rebecca Benge — Equestrian, selected to represent New Zealand at the World Championship held in Belgium in August. Sophie Brooke — Canoeing, selected to compete in the Asia Pacific regatta held in Australia in May. Drew Brennan — Speed Skating, selected to represent New Zealand in the Oceania champs held in New Zealand in April. All levels of support are appreciated and interested businesses and people are encouraged to contact the trust through its website www.futurechampionstrust.org, or phone Philippa Baker-Hogan on 027 272 795 to discuss how support can be provided.