Dale Farm- Lighting the Olympic Flame for NI’s Sporting Elite
Dairy company announces Olympic funding boost for local sport
In a move to rally the people of Northern Ireland into the 2012 Olympic spirit, local dairy business Dale Farm – now synonymous with supporting our young sporting elite – is announcing a major local Olympic funding boost through its Dale Farm ‘2012 Dreams’ Sports Campaign. Specifically open to athletes aiming for selection in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the initiative encompasses an individual £5,000 bursary and possible £1,500 for runners up, as well as a new grassroots schools campaign offering thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment to local primary schools.
Working in partnership with the Mary Peters Trust, Dale Farm launched the search for ‘2012 Dreams’ Sports Award winner today at the elite Sports Institute at the University of Ulster – a potential training camp for the 2012 Games. The event – attended by Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls as well as past medallists Dame Mary Peters, Jimmy Kirkwood and Paddy Barnes – also launched the new schools element incorporating a design contest and Olympic themed sports days.
“We also want to inspire the next generation of Olympians, encouraging children to think about what 2012 means to them, so we are launching two special schools initiatives – a competition to design the Dale Farm ‘2012 Dreams’ Sports Award logo which will be printed on to the winner’s medal and Olympic themed sports days supported by the Mary Peters Trust, Podium4Sport and Belfast Telegraph. With thousands of pounds worth of school sports equipment up for grabs we hope the Olympic Spirit will soon be on show in playgrounds across the country.”
Dame Mary Peters added, “This is our 5th year working with Dale Farm, and with 2012 just around the corner it could prove to be the most crucial yet as we have some excellent young talent hoping for selection in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Sports Award really could be a vital ingredient in helping one of these athletes achieve their Olympic dreams and we’re delighted to be a part of that.”
“We also recognise the importance of grassroots activity as we look towards the 2016 Games and beyond, and therefore fully support the new schools elements of this campaign working with Dale Farm and Podium4Sports in supporting NI’s future sporting talent.”
Athelete Lyndsey McCullough
Nomination forms are now available from all sports governing bodies, the Mary Peters Trust or by logging on to www.dalefarm.co.uk. The deadline for entries is Friday 21st May. The Mary Peters Trust will carry out the selection process and the winner will be announced in June 2010
If you would like to be in with a chance to win this year’s coveted ‘Dale Farm Sports Award’,why not fill out our Application Form
