Aspiring Athletes for the Future

Sport Northern Ireland has today announced financial support totaling £139,100 to enable 20 of Northern Ireland’s talented athletes to commit to comprehensive training and preparation programmes leading up to international competition. A total of 12 sports will benefit including cycling, gymnastics, sailing, swimming and table tennis.  

Speaking of the announcement, Sport Northern Ireland Chairman, Professor Eric Saunders OBE said, “Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to distribute funding to these talented athletes. We are committed to raising the standards of sporting excellence and it is hoped that this investment will enable all these athletes to realise their ambitions and perform at their optimum in forthcoming international competitions”.

Junior athlete, 17-year old Tiffany Brien from the world of yachting has received funding for her preparations for the impending Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships which will take place in Canada this July. Tiffany a member of the Irish Youth Academy who has been competing in the Radial Class since September 2006 has to date enjoyed considerable success. In 2006 she competed in the Laser 4.7 class in which she achieved 25th in the Female Category of the World and European Championships out of 88 boats. Funding has gone to other members of the Royal Yachting Association, brothers Russell and Matthew McGovern who are both hoping to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Twenty-one year old swimmer, Philip Jeffers is a member of the Paralympic Council of Ireland’s 2007 panel.  In December 2006, Philip represented Ireland at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships at which he achieved personal bests in all five events; the 100m breast, 50m fly and the 50m, 100m and 400m free. This award will help him prepare for the 2010 IPC World Championships by accessing necessary athlete support and training camps.

Other athletes who received awards include:

Sinead Chambers, UB Badminton Union of Ireland

Ben Reid & Philip Deignan, Cycling Ulster,

Luke Robert Carson, Gymnastics,

Karla Quinn, NI Ice Skating Association

William Herron, NI Karting Association

Ian Lowry, Motor Cycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre

Keith Farmer, Motorcycle Racing Assciation

Louise Aiken and Alan Lewis, NI Smallbore Shooting Union

David Christie, Ulster Clay Pigeon Shooting Association

Fergal Smith, NI Surfing Association

Conor Leaney, Swim Ulster Ltd

Claire Nelson and Paul McCreery, UB Irish Table Tennis Association

Karen Payne, NI Ten Pin Bowling Federation