THIRTY-TWO Scottish high-performance athletes with the potential to make the podium at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, or with winter Olympic ambitions for Pyeongchang, have been buoyed by the news that they are among the latest recipients of individual sportscotland Athlete Personal Awards.
£192,000 has been allocated in the first year of a two-year investment to athletes in eight sports to provide additional support for training, competition and living expenses for the next two years.
Individual beneficiaries from the latest round of awards include Cameron Brodie in swimming, Steph Twell in athletics, Alex Marshall in lawn bowls, and Scotland’s first female boxer to win a GB title, Stephanie Kernachan. In addition to the Commonwealth Games sports, five snowsport athletes vying for a place on Team GB for the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang will receive support.
Speaking at Scottish Boxing’s Performance Centre in Glasgow, where the awards were announced, Director of High Performance at sportscotland, Mike Whittingham, said: “The sportscotland Athlete Personal Awards have made a significant difference to our athletes with podium aspirations, and it’s great to be able to boost the prospects of 32 athletes vying for Commonwealth and Olympic places.
“These athletes know they have the support of Commonwealth Games Scotland, the British Olympic Association, their governing bodies and world-class services from the sportscotland institute of sport’s team of coaches, scientists, and experts in addition to this financial award. Together we are the team behind the team; and with them all the way.”
Boxer Kernachan said: “This award gives me the support I need to represent my country and make my dreams of winning on the world stage achievable.
“I am now completely focused on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.
“I know I can compete at that level and my aim is to be Scotland’s first Commonwealth Games female boxing medal winner.”
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