Local sports stars set for success with bursary boost

Phoenix Natural Gas supports six local sports stars with bursary programme...

Phoenix Natural Gas Sports Bursary Recipients (l-r) James O’Doherty, James Nicholson and Ellie Reid are pictured alongside Jonathan Martindale, Director of Business Development, Phoenix Natural Gas.

Six local stars across a range of sporting disciplines have been given a boost this year thanks to the Phoenix Natural Gas Sports Bursary Programme.

Designed to fuel sporting ambition, the Phoenix Natural Gas Sports Bursary helps athletes competing locally and internationally reach their potential by contributing to the costs of equipment, training or travel, enabling local athletes to compete on the global stage.

This year’s recipients include two local swimmers preparing for Commonwealth and Paralympic competition, a taekwondo talent gearing up for the World Championships in Korea and a double-mini-trampolinist set to represent Team GB at the World Championships in Azerbaijan later this year.

Jonathan Martindale, Director of Business Development at Phoenix Natural Gas explains: “The Phoenix Natural Gas Sports Bursary Programme was established to assist promising local athletes to achieve their goals by making a contribution to help with costs associated with their development within their chosen sporting field.

“After a year like no other where coronavirus restrictions significantly impacted their training abilities, our Sports Bursary recipients have demonstrated their tenacity in adapting their training so they can continue to excel in their dedicated discipline.  We are delighted to help further fuel their talent and to play a small part in helping them to achieve their sporting ambitions through a Phoenix Sports Bursary.”

The  Recipients are:

  • Bethany Firth, Swimming
  • James Nicholson, Taekwondo
  • Ellie Reid, Trampoline & Double Mini Trampoline
  • Lucy McGonigle, Crossfit
  • James O’Doherty, Coarse Fishing
  • Amelia Kane, Swimming

For more information on Phoenix’s sports bursary scheme, visit www.phoenixnaturalgas.com/about-us/phoenix-group/corporate-responsibility