Inspiring the next generation: Jaguar Academy of Sport

Only 12‑months in, the Jaguar Academy of Sport is already delivering results as a direct consequence of vital support it's provided to the very best in young sporting talent.

Talented young British sports men and women face daunting challenges as they aim to make the leap from age‑group success to senior competition ‑ the Jaguar Academy of Sport was established in 2010 to aid and encourage the transition through dedicated professional mentoring backed up by financial support.

Working with SportsAid, the programme has attracted Britain's greatest sports stars as patrons and ambassadors including Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Steve Redgrave, as well as donating over £100,000 directly to aspiring stars of the future ‑ making a tangible difference.

Notable among the Academy of Sport's alumni is reigning Youth Olympic Champion Jade Jones, who recently won a silver medal at the Taekwondo World Championships in South Korea.  Indeed, of the 35 young sports people who were provided with support from the Jaguar Academy of Sport, 15 have already  moved up to receive Lottery support through UK Sport.

Spurred on by the success of the first 12 months, the programme is set to grow substantially as it looks to support more young British sporting talent. The next intake of aspiring stars to receive a bursary from the Jaguar Academy of Sport will be announced at a special ceremony at the Leander Club in Henley‑on‑Thames on Friday, May 27. The event will not only see the bursaries being presented but it will also provide the young participants with their first mentoring sessions from  patrons and ambassadors of the programme.

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK commented: "Jaguar is dedicated torecognising, celebrating and inspiring the very best of British sporting talent. I am proud to say the first year was a great success and it has grown beyond our expectations.  We are delighted to increase our Bursary Awards to 50 individuals this year and hope to mirror the success of 2010. "

Tim Lawler, Chief Executive, SportsAid commented: "The first year was a great success with 15 of the 35 athletes moving up the pathway to receive support through UK Sport.  This is a fantastic success rate and a testament to the dedication and commitment of these young athletes and the support of the Jaguar Academy of Sport. Through the Academy's financial commitment and the ongoing athlete mentoring work, this next generation are clearly getting the help they need to succeed. I can't wait to see how the Class of 2011 perform."

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Website: www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk

Jaguar Academy of Sport Patrons

David Beckham OBE, Sir Ian Botham, Gareth Edwards CBE, Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, MBE, Denise Lewis OBE, Sir Steve Redgrave

Jaguar Academy of Sport Ambassadors

Jamie Baulch, Dave Brailsford CBE, Martin Brundle, Tasha Danvers, Jessica Ennis, Mark Foster, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard MBE, Sir Chris Hoy, Colin Jackson CBE, Barry McGuigan, Ian Poulter, David Roberts CBE, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughn OBE, Lee Westwood, Shane Williams

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