Cash boost for athletes going for gold

Mar 3 2009

Three of the most talented local sports stars have been given a major boost in their bid for glory at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. Hamilton International Sports Trust has pledged £30,000 to help badminton player Kirsty Gilmour, sprinter Lewis Gibb and cyclist James McCallum realise their dreams.

The trio were selected for the Go for Gold Scholarship after impressing the trust with their talents and ambitions which are now even higher as the money will play a vital part in helping to propel them towards medal success at the games.

Ronnie Smith, the chair of the trust, said: "When we launched our appeal to find people who would benefit from our funding, we stated that we were looking for sportspeople with a real chance of making it to the 2014 Games and going on to win a medal. And in these three people I believe that's exactly what we've found.

"The talent and drive shown by Kirsty, Lewis and James grabbed our attention and their potential was evident from the previous success they have all achieved in their individual sports.

"Funding is always an issue so hopefully this £30,000, which will be spread over a five-year period, can allow them to concentrate fully on their training."

James McCallum, from Uddingston, already knows how important extra funding can be. The trust's financial support helped him towards a cycling bronze medal at the 2004 Commonwealth Games and he is hopeful of recapturing that success next year at the Games in Delhi as well as in 2014.

And for 15-year-old Hamilton sprinter Lewis Gibb, the money is already helping him overcome an injury and he hopes to be back competing in order to add to the significant success he has already enjoyed, including a silver medal at the under-15 Scottish District Championships.

West Area Institute of Sport member Kirsty Gilmour, 15, has already broken into the Scotland under-19 badminton squad and the Bothwell teenager is confident she can go all the way at the Glasgow Games.