Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Do you measure up?

Wiltshire’s young sporting stars of the future are invited to apply for funding from Wiltshire Council.

Young sports men and women aged 21 and under can submit applications for funding from the council’s Funding Future Olympians grant scheme.

The council has allocated £5,000 to give five successful applicants £1,000 each towards achieving future Olympic success.

This funding is available to support people across the county continue their development in their respective sports, with a view to challenging for honours at future Olympic Games.

Cabinet member for leisure, Stuart Wheeler, said: 'This is the second year running we have allocated this funding to some of our most promising local sports men and women. Last year’s applicants continue to do really well in their chosen sports and I hope their stories will inspire other sportspeople to apply for this funding. Getting to the top in sport takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I am delighted that the council can offer this support to some truly talented local sports stars.'

Applications are invited by individuals who are competing at a national league level or above in their team sport, competing at nationally recognised events as an individual, or is a member of a national training squad. This can be in either a summer or winter Olympic sport.

All applicants must be 21 years old or under on 31 December 2012 and live in the Wiltshire Council area.

Deadline for applications is 5pm on December 1 2011. A decision will be made in early January and a presentation event held in February 2012 for the successful applicants.

Application forms and the criteria can be downloaded from the sports grants section of the WC website.