The Talented Athlete Scheme from Hull Culture and Leisure is designed to help gifted sports people who are gaining recognition from their National Governing Body and have been identified as potential podium athletes through Talent ID schemes, but are not yet at elite status.
Recipients of the scheme will be given much needed support in the form of free access to the city’s public leisure facilities to support their training.
The talented athletes who have benefited from the scheme so far include -
Gracie Wilson - Judo
Gracie, who is from Hull, only started in the sport 5 years ago, training at the East Yorkshire Judo Academy. She was the winner in the under-78kg category at the British U21 Championships in Sheffield in December.
She has represented Great Britain in international tournaments, most recently in Denmark, where Gracie picked up a bronze in under 21s and senior age categories.
Portfolio holder for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Rob Pritchard, said -
“Gracie is the latest young athlete to benefit from this scheme, which aims to bring out the best of the city’s emerging sporting talent.
They’re given much-needed support in the form of free access to the city’s high quality public leisure facilities to support their training.
I was very pleased to award Gracie her annual membership, allowing her to concentrate on reaching her full potential without having to worry about the cost.
The council is committed to investing in today’s promising athletes who have the potential to become tomorrow’s sporting heroes. "
Ethan Daintith - Ball Hockey
Ethan was selected to represent Ball Hockey UK at the 2022 ISBHF World Junior Ball Hockey Championships this summer. Unfortunately, Ethan was unable to attend due to contracting COVID-19. He is still part of the Great Britain under 16s Men’s Ball Hockey pathway.
Tommy Jackson - Judo
14-year-old Tommy Jackson from East Hull has become the second young person to receive the award through HCAL’s Talented Athlete Scheme.
Tommy is part of England Judo performance pathway. He has trained with the East Yorkshire Judo Academy since the age of 7. He has spent the last year in the England squad and was also selected to train with Great Britain.
Tommy finished seventh in the recent Commonwealth Championships. He competed at the British Judo Championships.
Marco Voronovs - Boxing
Marco Voronovs was the first recipient of the Talented Athlete Scheme award. He received an annual Live It fitness membership. This grants him full access to Hull Culture and Leisure facilities to support him with his training.
Marco is a member of Hull Boxing Centre and is on the England Boxing Talent Programme. He started boxing in February 2012 and became 2-time National Schoolboy Champion. This made him Hull's first ever male minor champion in 2016.
