The 'BUA emerging sports talent award 2012' is open for applications and the closing date is this Friday, June 29th. GCH's Keith Fallon was the recipient of this award last year. The press release with full details follows below.

AWARD RETURNS TO SUPPORT SPORTS STARS OF THE FUTURE

Following the success of the inaugural year, the second annual BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award has now opened for entries for their 2012 award.

The award has the aim of supporting, recognising and developing upcoming sporting talent from Galway City and County. It was last year founded by a number of leading professionals - including a sports psychologist, physiotherapist, MD specialising in sports medicine, personal trainer, dietician and fitness club - will award one lucky recipient with a €12,000 prize package made up of a year’s worth of treatment and training plans, consultations and membership from all the supporting partners.

Supporting partners include Keith Gildea of Ocean Fitness, Trish Strelioff of Baily Point Physiotherapy, Maeve Gacquin of the Galway Clinic, Sarah Thornton of Sarah Thornton Personal Training, Dr. Aideen Henry of the Galway Clinic and Niamh Fitzpatrick, Sports Psychologist.

The award was the brainchild of Keith Gildea of Ocean Fitness. He comments, “The award was founded as we all see a huge need to support our up and coming sport stars of the future, especially those who show great potential, but have no access to any support services and funding. This is the aim of the BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award”.

Runner Keith Fallon, recipient of the BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award 2012 tells, “The whole award offered me a new perspective on other aspects besides just going out for a run which I would not have realised this year without it. Training and improving I have learned consists of much more than putting on my shoes and running. The best part of the award is the access to professionals and facilities I’ve got access to this year were of huge benefit to me. A full medical has given me (and more importantly my mother) peace of mind that I’m fully healthy and have no underlying conditions. Overall the award has been a huge benefit to me so far. The best part of it is no doubt the individualistic treatment, support and help I have received. I have improved my personal best and have been offered a running scholarship in the US. I would encourage all athlete’s from all sports to apply for the BUA award”.

All sporting enthusiasts from both team and individual sports and of all ages are encouraged to enter. The application process - which is now open - is via a detailed application form downloadable from www.BUASportsAward.com. The deadline for submission of entries is Friday, 29th June. The judging panel, made up of the supporting partners, will then announce the shortlist towards the end of July, with the recipient named at an awards ceremony later in the month. Athletes who entered and were shortlisted for last year’s award may re-submit this year however, athletes who are currently in receipt of high performance funding or assistance through the international carding system are excluded from the application process.

For more information, or to download an application form, log onto www.BUASportsAward.com.