A TOTAL of 11 athletes were presented with scholarships to aid them with their training.

The Basingstoke Sports Trust, which is based at the Sports Centre in Festival Place, has been providing sportspeople with the chance to use their facilities for the past 10 years.

More than 50 people have benefited over that time and this year’s recipients are:

  • Maddie Deadman (athletics)
  • Harry Richardson (athletics)
  • James Beeks (athletics)
  • Rebecca Halil (karate)
  • Harry Cronk (martials arts)
  • Liam Hignett (tennis)
  • Cameron Ward (squash)
  • Hannah Parker (modern pentathlon)
  • Courtney Smith (taekwondo)
  • Jim Feighery-Murphy (karate)
  • Peter Syckelmoore (gymnastics)

For the fifth year, the Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust also awarded scholarships, giving the following free use of the Aquadrome, Tadley Swimming Pool and Basingstoke Golf Centre:

  • Odette Hornby (fencing)
  • Jessica Sutton (modern pentathlon)
  • Bradley Sutton (modern pentathlon)
  • Rebecca Poole (athletics)
  • Evie Wilcox (athletics)
  • Owen Richardson (athletics)
  • Myles Richardson (athletics)
  • Charlie Hebburn-Heath (rugby)
  • Ben Bushnell (golf)
  • Michelle Matson (swimming)
  • Fleur Parker (swimming)

Spencer Turner (swimming) Mark Nevola (karate)

This year, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council celebrates the 26th year of its Sports Grant Aid Scheme.

The council has invested nearly £200,000 in the scheme, which awards various sums to assist sportsmen and women in their efforts to achieve full national, international and Olympic honours.