WE’RE
HELPING TEN YOUNG ATHLETES ON THEIR SPORTING JOURNEYS
We’ve announced a partnership with the Mary Peters Trust which will see us support ten young athletes from across Northern Ireland throughout 2021. Each athlete will be selected by the Mary Peters Trust and we’ll give them a £500 bursary to support them on their individual journeys to becoming elite sportspeople.
The first two athletes selected are representative table tennis players, and Bangor based brothers, Max (15) and James (16) Skelton.Both players, who play for Ormeau Table Tennis Club in East Belfast, have received a £500 bursary each.
Lady Mary Peters said: “Northern Ireland is fantastic at producing sporting talent and access to funding is vital. The dedication and hard work of these pre-elite athletes can often be underestimated so it is wonderful that Hughes Insurance is supporting the Mary Peters Trust.This bursary programme will go a long way in helping our selected athletes to reach their goals and I am delighted Max and James have been recognised – they are an excellent example of the dedication and perseverance of all our young athletes.”
The brothers are currently in training for their next event – representing Ireland at the European Table Tennis Union’s European Youth Championships in Zagreb this coming July – a competition both are eager for as it was cancelled last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Commenting on his bursary Max Skelton said: “I feel very honoured and privileged to receive this bursary from the Mary Peters Trust and Hughes Insurance. To know that they are behind me is great and I feel very appreciative for being chosen out of the large number of candidates. Both James and I are hoping to get selected for the European Youths in Croatia this year as well as the Commonwealth Games next year and the financial support from Hughes Insurance will help us with travel and training costs.”
James Skelton said: “I started playing table tennis when I was 9 years old, so I have been playing for around seven years now. To be recognised by Lady Mary Peters and her Trust, as well as Hughes Insurance, makes me feel very proud of the effort I have put in. It feels great to know that our hard work has been acknowledged. Playing alongside my brother and being able to share the excitement of being selected for the bursary is great.”
The pandemic has resulted in significant challenges for NI’s young sporting talent with training sessions cancelled, access to facilities restricted and competitions postponed, as well as greater financial burdens such as Covid testing before and during any competitions or training camps.
Harriet McCandless, Senior Marketing Manager here at Hughes Insurance said: “Our partnership with the Mary Peters Trust is a fantastic fit for us. We say we are ‘here for the journey’of our customers, and we know how much work the Mary Peters Trust does to support athletes on their journeys.
“It’s inspiring to meet the athletes and hear first-hand of the difficulties they’ve had to overcome in the last 12 months.We hope our support helps them continue their journey to reach their potential and we look forward to watching them develop in the years to come.”
The further eight successful bursary recipients will be announced throughout 2021.