RPMF Grant Awards 2017-18
A record number of 640 Applications were received at the end of 2017, which made for an incredibly difficult selection process, as not only were the overall numbers high, the quality of the applications and the demonstration of need was the highest the RPMF had ever received. After much deliberation and a mammoth 8 hour final meeting, the RPMF distributed a record total amount of nearly £46,000 in grants to 231 talented young British athletes, which again is a record for the Charity.
Within the awardees this year were a number of medallists from the recent European U20 Championships in Grossetto: Maya Bruney (200m), Jemma Reekie (1,500m), Jake Heyward (1,500m)Molly Caudery (PV), Naomi Ogbeta (TJ), and Harriett Knowles-Jones (1,500m). Similarly, the Fund was able to support other athletes that had excelled at the European U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz, including Jess Turner (400mH), Khai Riley LaBorde (110mH) and Cameron Chalmers (400m).
A number of English Schools winners and National Age Group Champions were included, particularly within the younger recipients of the Grants.
Among the older athletes to be supported is Josh Griffiths, the Swansea Harrier and surprise “first Brit home” in the 2017 London Marathon who won a place to compete at the London 2017 IAAF World Championships, who despite his amazing breakthrough is still largely unsupported in his training.
Included in this year’s recipients were 13 athletes from the Disability sector of the sport, including London 2017 4th placer Zac Skinner (F13 LJ).
Some 52% of the recipients (120) were aged 17 or under, and a further 25% aged 18-20 years with the remaining 23% aged 21-24yrs.
Distribution among the events groups this year was: Sprints/Hurdles: 37%, Endurance: 26%, Throws: 17%, Jumps: 14% and Multi-Events: 6%
Top clubs whose athletes received awards were Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers with 9 athletes, Birchfield Harriers 8, Enfield & Haringey 7 athletes and Swansea Harriers and Southampton AC each having 5 athlete awards.
You can find the full list of the 2017 grants recipients Here.