An aspiring basketball star from Suffolk has become the latest talented sports person from the county to be recognised by the Suffolk SportsAid Foundation.

Alicia Gallagher, 15, from Thurston, was recognised with a grant following her recent selection for the England Under 16 Basketball squad. The grant is specifically aimed at helping with the high costs of training and competing at national level.

Alicia, who plays for Ipswich Basketball Club, was required to attend two training camps in Nottingham over the Christmas period and will be attending her next training camp during the February half-term break. She will then be required to attend an increasing number of training camps as the England squad prepare for the European Championships in late July and early August.

Alicia was presented with her grant by Barry Denny, Managing Director of Denny Bros Ltd, one of Suffolk SportsAid Foundation’s business supporters.

"It’s a great pleasure to present Alicia with her grant" commented Mr Denny, who went on to say, "Denny Bros became involved with the Suffolk SportsAid Foundation because we wanted to play our part in helping talented young people from the county, like Alicia, realise their sporting ambitions. I would like to wish her well for what will be an exciting and memorable year."

SportsAid - the national charity for sports people - estimate that on average it costs a national standard athlete £5,000 per year for equipment, training, travelling and all the other essentials that are required for competing at the top level.

The Suffolk SportsAid Foundation was established 2 years ago to support Suffolk’s talented sportsmen and women to achieve their sporting goals. To date 50 grants have been awarded to talented young sportsmen and women from across Suffolk, all of whom are competing at either national or international level.

To receive a grant, athletes must first be identified by their sport as having the potential to achieve at the highest level. Further details can be found at www.suffolksportsaid.com.

Adam Baker, Project Manager for the 2010 Games, Suffolk County Council, 
04 January 2010