Lincolnshire athletes get LEAP support

Lincoln athletes from a range of disciplines have been accepted in the Lincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme (LEAP) for 2014.

LEAP provides Lincolnshire athletes support over a year as they begin their training towards the Olympics, such as Rio in 2016.

This year, 33 athletes from the county made it onto the list, with 14 from Lincoln.

The programme is managed by Lincolnshire Sport and supported by local authorities, businesses and organisations from across the county.

It hopes to continue the momentum of the London 2012 legacy in addition to support future Olympic talent.

Current elite athletes receive support through National Lottery funding, but the tier below lacks adequate support, which is where LEAP helps.

LEAP athletes are provided with different levels of support depending on what level they compete at, receiving funding of up to £1,000, mentoring, training camps with Olympic medallists, media training and support.

One Lincoln athlete accepted onto the programme is Jade Etherington, who is representing Team GB and Lincolnshire for the first time at the Sochi 2014 Games starting this week.

The Lincoln athletes receiving support are:

• Abigail Burr – Swimming
• Lee Cupit – Shot put
• Jade Etherington – Alpine skiing
• Daniel Fleming – Athletics, discus
• Rebecca Franks – Swimming
• Megan Gilkes – Pistol Shooting
• Elizabeth Gray – Flat water sprint kayaking
• Martha Harris – Football
• Sophie Hart – Swimming
• Dara McMorrow – Trampoline
• Peter Quittenton – Sprint kayak racing
• Archie Richardson – Athletics, track and field
• Abigail Small – Gymnastics
• Maya Westlake – Swimming

See the full list of 2014 LEAP athletes.

Nina Craggs, Commercial Manager at Lincolnshire Sport, said: “LEAP is a fantastic programme which enables us to support our most talented athletes throughout the county.

“Our presentation evening last Friday honouring these athletes was hugely inspiring and we can’t thank our current LEAP supporters, who enable this programme to continue, enough.

“Your Printer Partner and Imp Sport have come together to provide a cash investment to support the programme.

“Both companies have been very generous in providing £2,000 worth of sponsorship for the LEAP 2014 programme and have provided the athletes with their newly designed kit.”

Funding for LEAP has been secured through Lincolnshire County Council, Ambitions Personnel, Adam Gibbon’s Sport Foundation Fund, Rilmac, Imp Sport, Your Print Partner, Bridge McFarland and other corporate partners.

Members of the public and businesses who would like to support LEAP can also help raise funds for the programme by choosing it as their charity.

Runners who raise funds for LEAP through sponsorship at The Imps Revenge 10K in June will gain free entry in the race. Lincolnshire Sport have 10 places worth £35 each to give away.

For more information about LEAP or information about how to become a sponsor, call Lincolnshire Sport on 01522 585580.