Young Derry athlete collects Mary Peters Trust Award

Local athletes representing sports from gymnastics and judo to boccia, netball, swimming and sailing have received funding awards from the Mary Peters Trust.

Mary Peters Trust award winner and athletics competitor Veronica O’Neill from Derry (pictured) received an award from Lady Mary Peters.

Their achievements were celebrated at a special Athletes’ Academy event held at Newforge Sports Complex, Belfast and hosted by Paralympian champion Michael McKillop.

Athletes are nominated and then selected following a rigorous process and each receive financial and general support to help them navigate and succeed in their sporting careers and ultimately achieve their individual goals.

The current tranche of awards was presented by Lady Mary Peters and athletes were joined by parents and family members as well as sport liaison officers and Awards Team Chair, Will Doggart.

Congratulating the current cohort, Will Doggart said:

“Today’s young athletes are competing at venues across the world and funding support is vital to help them fulfil their sporting dreams.

Athletes and their families sacrifice a lot to push forward and develop in their sport and we at the Trust love seeing how each person’s journey progresses. We wish our current award winners all the very best for the future.”