Dale farm News & Press

Dale Farm Sports Award - Countdown to Deadline

With less than four weeks to go until the closing date, Friday 13th February, the current holder of the Dale Farm Sports Award and Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes is urging young sporting talent in Northern Ireland to ensure they are in with a ‘fighting’ chance to be 2009’s winner.

Now in its fourth year, the Award, created by local dairy business Dale Farm in partnership with the Mary Peters Sports Trust, grants the winner with a cash bursary of £5,000- currently the biggest funding boost available on an individual basis. Paddy was the third athlete to receive the bursary, following in the footsteps of local ice-skater Jenna McCorkell and cyclist Ryan Connor.

“When I qualified for the Olympics in Beijing I was really happy but at the same time worried about the expense of travel and training costs. The £5000 I received from the Dale Farm Sports Award really eased this pressure for me and my family,” said Paddy. “Now almost a year on, I have an Olympic medal and am training to compete for my next one at the 2012 Games in London.”

“I know how tough it can be to get funding so I would say to any young athletes in Northern Ireland who are serious about their sport- get your application in before it’s too late and don’t miss out on the chance to step up your game.” Dale Farm’s commercial director Andrew Nethercott has high hopes for this year’s recipient.

“The Olympic success of last year’s winner, Paddy Barnes, cemented the important role the Award is playing in bringing young talent to the fore in Northern Ireland. Paddy and the previous recipients, Jenna and Ryan, have taken local sporting talent firmly onto the world stage and we are confident that this year’s winner will continue this success,” he said.

“So far we have had a great response, receiving entries from across Northern Ireland. Our goal this year was to reach out to as many diverse sports as possible, so we are once again calling on all young sports people across the province to get involved and take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Dame Mary Peters DBE, president of the Mary Peters Sports Trust, said: “The Dale Farm Sports Award really has the potential to change the life of its winner. With less than a month to go, I am encouraging Northern Ireland’s young elite athletes to get on board and be in the running for this generous bursary.”

Nomination forms are available from all sports governing bodies and the Mary Peters Trust The deadline for entries is Friday 13th February 2009. The Mary Peters Trust will carry out the selection process and the winner will be announced in April 2009.