December 14, 2012 11.19 am This story is over 134 months old

Local athletes get financial support

Supporting athletes: The LEAP scheme has chosen 50 new local athletes to fund and support through 2013, 10 of which are from Lincoln.

A number of local athletes have been accepted onto the Lincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme (LEAP) for 2013.

LEAP provides sportspeople in the county with funding and support, provided by local authorities, businesses and organisations.

£20,000 will be distributed to 50 athletes on the programme, who will receive grants from £100 to £1,000 to support them over the next year. They will also be invited to a number of training courses and events.

Some athletes from LEAP 2012 remain on the programme for another year, such as swimmer Abigail Burr from Heighington, athlete Lee Cupit from Coleby and kayaker Elizabeth Gray from Dunholme.

Of the 17 accepted athletes joining for the first time, 10 are from Lincoln. This includes skier Jade Etherington (pictured) and shooter Megan Gilkes from Lincoln.

Rachel Belcher, LEAP Project Officer at Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, said: “In 2013, we have pledged to support 50 talented athletes from across Lincolnshire.

“We will support them on their journey to be the best they can be, with financial incentives, training courses and more, to support them in reaching their sporting dream.”

The list of athletes joining LEAP 2013 from Lincoln:

  • Jade Etherington — Alpine Skiing
  • Abbie Donnelly — Athletics
  • Emma Tonner — Kayaking
  • Bryony Martel — Modern Pentathlon
  • Megan Gilkes — Pistol Shooting
  • Rebecca Franks (North Hykeham) — Swimming
  • Braddan Westlake — Swimming
  • Maya Westlake — Swimming
  • Alice Meanwell — Trampolining
  • Bo Haywood — Triathlon