A new generation of sporting talent: Jaguar Academy of Sport

At a Ceremony last Friday at the legendary Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames the Jaguar Academy of Sport presented 50 young athletes, representing the next generation of British sporting talent, with their Jaguar Academy of Sport Bursary Awards.  The Bursary Fund is at the core of the Jaguar Academy of Sport which recognises, celebrates and inspires the best of British sporting talent and success.
 
The 50 athletes were chosen after a rigourous selection process conducted by SportsAid, which administers the Bursary Fund on behalf of the Jaguar Academy. The Patrons and Ambassadors of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, some of the nation’s most successful sportsmen and women including David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis, were all integral to this process.
 
The athletes have been drawn from all over the country, representing a total of 36 sporting disciplines ranging from athletics and cycling through to fencing and modern pentathlon. This is the second year that the Academy of Sport has supported a unique set of Rising Stars and it has so far donated over £200,000 to inspire the next generation of British champions – making a tangible difference to the future of British sport.
 
The Jaguar Academy of Sport has been established with the intention of not just providing funding to the next generation, but also nurturing and inspiring them.  A Mentoring and Education Programme provides all the Rising Stars with the non-financial support they need in order to be successful. This support is provided through a selection of workshops and talent days focusing on key areas that will help young athletes move from talented to elite.
 
The Rising Stars wasted no time in engaging with the programme, as they attended their first talent day hosted by Dame Kelly Holmes and were also presented with their bursary cheques and certificates. Leander Club’s most famous and successful member, Sir Steve Redgrave then provided the Rising Stars with a master class and some advice on how to be successful within the sporting arena. An unforgettable day for the Rising Stars was attended by a number of our other Patrons & Ambassadors including Denise Lewis, Gareth Edwards, Jamie Baulch, Colin Jackson and Tim Henman, all there to help inspire this new generation.
 
Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK stated: “We are delighted to be announcing our second group of Rising Stars and very excited that the Jaguar Academy of Sport is moving into its second year. Jaguar is dedicated to supporting Britain’s next generation of sporting talent and I look forward to seeing their progress over the coming year.”
 
Sir Steve Redgrave commented: “It has been great to be here today at the Leander Club, where I used to train and prepared for four of my Olympic Games, with such promising young sporting talent. I feel very privileged to be able to pass on some advice through sharing experiences over my professional career and hopefully I have provided them with some inspiration to go on and be as successful as possible and achieve their goals.”
 
Dame Kelly Holmes commented: “It is great to once again see so much sporting talent in one room and a real pleasure to be working with the 2011 Rising Stars. The Mentoring and Education Programme which is provided to the Jaguar Academy of Sport Rising Stars is truly unique to the initiative and a great support alongside the bursary.”
 
For more information, visit jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk.