Supporting our home grown sporting talent – Fermanagh Recreational Trust grant awards

The Fermanagh Recreational Trust continues to support local talent by providing funding support to  one organisation and bursaries to five outstanding individuals to help towards fees, training, equipment costs etc which will help develop their future careers.

 

Back – Mark Kells, Ross Corrigan and Ellie McCartney. Front – Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust

The fund administered by the Fermanagh Trust supports the organisation, development and funding of recreational activities and facilities in County Fermanagh with particular emphasis on young people and youth development.

13 year old Ellie McCartney has been swimming with Enniskillen Lakelanders for the last seven years. She has had a number of successes in various competitions and has been selected to join the Swim Ireland Irish National Squad. Ellie will use her grant award to support her intense training schedule and the various international competitions she will be taking part in.

The Trust is supporting two young boxers Mark Kells and Kaci Crowley, both members of Erne Boxing Club. Mark is currently the Junior Ulster Champion and will use his grant to attend competitions. This season he will be competing in Denmark and Sweden. Ultimately Mark hopes to reach the All Ireland Finals and European Championships. Kaci Crowley who is also a member of Erne Boxing Club has won various national titles and this year boxed for Ireland at the European Schoolgirl Championships in Bulgaria winning a gold medal. Fermanagh Recreational Trust are supporting Kaci to purchase some new equipment and to help her compete in international competitions. It is her ultimate aim to compete in the Olympics.

The Trust  is also supporting two local rowers. Ryan Ballantine will use his grant for equipment and training. As a member of Newcastle University Boat Club and Portora Boat Club previously, he is continually developing himself as an athlete by competing on a national and international level. Earlier this year Ryan won silver at the World U23 Rowing Championships. By competing at this level, Ryan hopes it will provide a stepping stone, including making the Senior World Championships and his ultimate goal, the Olympics.

Ryan Corrigan has represented Ireland at a number of major junior rowing events. Now as a member of the U23 category his training regime has increased as well as the trial weekends and training camps. Fermanagh Recreational Trust are supporting Ryan with his training costs and his aim to make the World U23 Rowing Championships in July in Florida.

Finally Hanging Rockers Climbing Club, based at Gortatole were awarded a grant for new ropes and harnesses. Their popular youth programme currently has a waiting list for prospective new members. The purchase of new equipment should allow the club to take on some new members.

 

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust and Caolan Faux, Hanging Rockers

James Cooper, trustee of the Fermanagh Recreational Trust said “We are pleased to be able to provide support our sporting talent. They have proven dedication in their chosen fields with all the qualities to become excellent ambassadors for Fermanagh. It is important we support and nurture our home grown talent because with their ambition and determination they will be able to achieve even more.”

Closing date for the next round of applications will be end of February. For more information CLICK HERE