A SPORTS foundation, which aims to create a new generation of world class stars from Ipswich, is today a step closer to being given official charity status.
A SPORTS foundation, which aims to create a new generation of world class stars from Ipswich, is today a step closer to being given official charity status.
Final details of the Ipswich Sports Foundation have been handed to the Charities Commission in the hope the new body can be established as a charity and launched by next spring.
Team Ipswich, the sports body established by Ipswich Borough Council, has been charged with developing the foundation and today it said the project remained on track.
The foundation will provide financial help to young sports stars who have a promising career at elite level ahead of them.
By providing support and opening doors to top-level training, coaching and competitions, Team Ipswich hopes to help a growing band of young athletes overcome the often crippling hurdles which stand in the way of competing on the world stage.
Already the foundation has helped five budding sports stars but because charity status has not yet been granted it has had to offer one-off £500 grants rather than ongoing support.
Adam Baker, Team Ipswich manager, said: “The sole purpose will be to raise money from the business community to go into a pot which will then be distributed to up-and-coming young people in the community.
“Presently only very small amounts of funding are available to young sportspeople and they tend to be one-off. Once they get to a certain level they can then access world class funding and sponsorship as well but it's being able to climb the rungs of the ladder before they get there.
“We don't want talented young people dropping out of sport because they don't have the money to train to compete.
“Hopefully the foundation will mean we have more people from this area progress to higher levels.”
Businesses will be offered bronze, silver and gold sponsorship packages and will be offered appearances by members of Team Ipswich's Elite Squad and Ipswich's sports ambassador, Olympic veteran Karen Pickering, as well as receiving other benefits.
To find out more call Adam Baker on 01473 433505 or e-mail adam.baker@ipswich.gov.uk.
WEBLINK
www.teamipswich.com
www.charity-commission.gov.uk
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