There are a variety of grants/support schemes that can be utilised by riders:
SportsAid
SportsAid is a charity that financially supports young talented sports people to help them to achieve sporting success. Within the sport of equestrian, SportsAid has supported young able bodied and disabled riders when they are on the first rungs of the sporting ladder to Olympic and Paralympic success for approaching 30 years.
In 2007/8 SportsAid supported over 50 riders through both the SportsAid and the TASS schemes (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) to the value of about £20k. The grants have been used to benefit the riders in a variety of ways including rider and horse equipment, competition entry fees and training.
Grants usually vary between £500 and £1000 and can be gained on either a National or Regional basis. This financial contribution is gratefully received because participating in equestrian sport is very costly, but it should not overshadow the huge personal, psychological and media advantages of being recognised by both their NGB’s and SportsAid as a talented young individual.
SportsAid sits very neatly into the equestrian Performer Pathway and assists riders in their preparation to move onto the more advanced grant / lottery funded schemes of TASS, World Class Development and ultimately World Class Podium. All riders must reach minimum competitive criteria and have an endorsement from both a discipline representative and the NGB SportsAid Manager before a nomination can be made.
SportsAid is open to equestrian athletes in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines and Para-Equestrian Dressage, and individuals will be nominated by relevant key personnel within each of these disciplines, who they feel would be suitable for a SportsAid Award.
The following criteria will be used to identify equestrian athletes nominated for a SportsAid Award:
- Aged between 12 and 18 years of age (up to 25 years for Para-Equestrian Dressage riders)
- Live and Train in England
- Applicants must not be earning more than £8,000 per annum
- Not be in receipt of any other funding such as a TASS Award or Lottery.
- Meet minimum competitive criteria as set out below:
Discipline Criteria
- Dressage Pony Training Squad (FEI Level)Junior Training Squad (FEI Level)
- Eventing Long Listed Pony/Junior Rider European Championship TeamRegistered to compete in the JRN system
- Show Jumping Long Listed Pony/Junior Rider European Championship Squad, Home Pony International Team (148cm). Children on Horses Team
- Para Equestrian Dressage Consistently Achieving a minimum of:60% at BD National Level Competitions60% at Talent Spotting
Applications for SportsAid are now closed. More information on how to apply in 2009 will be announced when applications re-open.
For more information please contact: Sarah Armstrong, World Class Project Manager. Tel: 07881 950543. Email: sarah.armstrong@bef.co.uk
Find out more at www.sportsaid.org.uk
Lloyds TSB Local Heroes
Each year until 2012, with the help of SportsAid, Lloyds TSB will be helping to keep the dream alive for 250 young and emerging sportspeople. For more information about this scheme, visit the website here
TASS Scholarships
The overall aim of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is to assist Great Britain's most talented young athletes who wish to optimise the effectiveness of their sports and academic programmes. It enables them to take advantage of a scheme that will propel them towards Olympic medals, whilst ensuring that they can fulfil their academic potential alongside their sporting ambitions. This system is driven through partnership working between Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Colleges National Governing Bodies of Sport and other sports organisations.
The aim for British Equestrian
The TASS programme aims to provide a seamless transition for riders filling the gaps in current provision between the World Class Programmes as well as providing a stepping stone for 'non-funded' riders into the World Class Start, Potential and Performance Programmes, while encouraging riders to pursue an academic career. For 2008 TASS will also brace the non-Olympic disciplines of British Horse Driving Trials and British Vaulting.
The scheme also provides effective links with regional and national development programmes such the Pony, Junior and Young Rider squads, and forms an integral component of the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model and the BEF One Stop Plans.
Applications for 2008 TASS Scholarships are now closed. More information on how to apply for 2009 will be available when applications re-open. If you have any further queries, please call Sarah Armstrong on 07881 950543 or e-mail sarah.armstrong@bef.co.uk
