Craven District Council is offering local talented athletes free membership of its facilities at Craven Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre. The extended health and fitness centre offers athletes a high quality facility that could complement their current training programme.

Councillor Ken Hart Portfolio holder for promoting wellbeing of Craven’s communities had this to say about offering the membership:

“Craven Swimming pool and fitness centre is a flagship facility of the Council. By offering the FANS scheme we can do our bit in offering local talented athletes a small piece of support in their sporting careers. Craven District already punches above its weight on the International, National and Regional Sporting stages and this scheme will provide even more support”.

There are currently 12 athletes who benefit from free membership and Council adopted the national FANS scheme to support elite and talented athletes. Membership will be for one year and assessed annually. There are 4 assessment criteria to help assess who should be offered the free membership:

• a senior (over 16) national team Great Britain or England or squad
• then listed in the top ten of any national over 14 age group ranking
• then has been selected as part of an officially constituted National training squad or programme such as the “World Class” programme
• then a member of a current regional team or squad

All sports must be a Sport England designated sport.

The council wishes to receive any applications by 11th December 2009 and membership will be awarded before Christmas. 50 local athletes have already been identified and invited and other athletes that feel they are eligible should contact Craven District Council’s Sports Development Officer – Bruce Dinsmore for more information and an application form.

Bruce, a former international athlete, comments:

“With a very successful Beijing Olympic Games behind us all eyes turn to the London 2012 Olympics. Like in Beijing, there is a very real chance that athletes from Craven will be competing and winning medals. The FANS scheme is about supporting these athletes and those with future potential. The scheme is also used to create an Athlete photo board at the Pool which showcases the athletes and inspires others”

Applications forms area available from Bruce Dinsmore, Craven Swimming Pool and on the Craven District Council - Leisure webpage http://www.cravendc.gov.uk/Craven/Residents/Leisure/