Elite athletes aiming for Olympic, Paralympic, World and European goals receive vital funding
Last updated: 11/7/2025
Elite athletes across Rushcliffe have been awarded grant funding to support their training and development in their chosen sport, helping them to reach their future national, Olympic and Paralympic goals thanks to Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Elite Athletes Sports Grant.
Twenty talented athletes from across 15 different sports are now benefitting from the vital funds to help with costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees, equipment, specialist coaching and other specialist support.
Athletes include Edwalton resident Gemma Ratcliffe, 17, a solo ice dancer at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham who competes at advance novice under 18s. Next season Gemma will be moving up an age group to compete at under 21s.
She said: “The Elite Athletes Sports Grant has enabled me to go to more international competitions and has helped to fund my training which focuses on skating, dancing, and physical conditioning.
“I love my sport and my future goal for next season is to compete at under 21 level and represent my country across the globe.
“Thank you to RBC for the grant that is helping me to continue with my training at high level.”
Tollerton resident Jonny Young, 40, is a GB Paracanoe athlete and has recently joined the GB Paraclimbing Team for the 2025 season, aiming to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
He added: “I’ve been training with the GB Paraclimbing Team alongside canoeing this year and took part in my first climb competition at the British National Championships in September last year.
“I then went to Amsterdam for the Dutch National Championships in February 2025 and last month I competed in the IFSC World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria.
“I want to enjoy climbing and paddling to the best of my ability and the extra benefits that sport provides that is so much more than the medals. I’ve been welcomed into a new community of people that are really encouraging, see the problems I have with my disability, and come up with solutions around that.
“Whilst undergoing treatment for my spine injury at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 2012, I learnt to use sport as rehabilitation and what you can feel is the emotions in sport regardless of disability.
“Being surrounded by people that motivate you and inspire you in sport is extremely rewarding.
“Thank you to RBC for all the support over the years. This grant has allowed me to fully embrace the opportunity to start out in a new sport. By investing in new equipment, new training venues and making the most of the opportunities that are there but are expensive to get started in.
“The home of national sport here in Rushcliffe is phenomenal. There is a real mix of different sports all showcasing at national and international standard that without the support of the council, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re passionate about sport here in the Borough and we’re pleased to again run this grant scheme supporting local athletes across a variety of sports.
“The athletes are an inspiration with their vigorous training routines and fantastic local, national and international achievements. Their dedication and commitment to their chosen sport is admirable.
“There are many success stories over the years of athletes representing the Borough and Great Britain on national and international stages.
“Sport and leisure are key parts of what we do as a Council, and we’re proud to be the home of sport here in Rushcliffe.
“We’re one of the only Council’s in England that provide a grant like this to support our elite athletes and we’re delighted to allocate funding that can help towards managing the costs of competing and training at such a high level.”
A full list of the grant recipients is available on RBC's website.
Photo caption: Back row, left to right – Ben Roberts, Jonny Young, RBC's Cabinet Member Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, William Mellor
Front row, left to right – Barney Corrall, Liam Jury, Gemma Ratcliffe, Anna Longworth, Zac Ladkin