YOUNG sportswomen were among more than 150 up and coming athletes from across Northern Ireland and representing 28 different sports from judo and hockey to athletics, sailing and squash to receive funding awards from the Mary Peters Trust.
Their achievements were celebrated at a special Athletes’ Academy event held at Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Belfast and hosted by BBC NI sports journalist Nigel Ringland who conducted a Q&A with Paris Olympic gymnastics gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan’s mum, Tracy, and his coach Luke Carson, the two key figures in his success story.
Public Relations and marketing expert Adrian Beattie, from the Navigator Blue agency, also delivered a talk on the branding of athletes.
Awarded athletes are nominated and then selected following a rigorous process and each receive financial and general support to help them navigate and succeed in their sporting careers and ultimately achieve their individual goals.
The current tranche of awards was presented by Lady Mary Peters and athletes were joined by parents and family members as well as sport liaison officers, MPT Board Directors, Awards Team Chair Will Doggart and King George VI Youth Awards trustees Eric Rainey and John McKee.
The athletes event also celebrated a second year of the David Magill Coaching Awards. Set up by The Magill Family alongside the Mary Peters Trust, this programme was established in memory of Belfast pole-vaulter, businessman and hotelier David Magill.
Archery competitor Kathryn Morton from Banbridge with Lady Mary Peters
Lady Mary Peters with Coleraine rower Molly Curry
Sisters Orla and Fionnuala Mulholland from Crumlin who both received awards for gymnastics are pictured with Lady Mary Peters
Badminton aces Rebecca, Paige and Rachael Woods pictured with Lady Mary Peters. Two of the sisters (Rebecca and Rachael) collected David Magill Coaching Awards whilst Paige received a Trust funding award. Another sister Chloe, who couldn’t attend the reception, also received a Magill Coaching award.
