District’s rising athletes may get an academy

If senior councillors approve the plan, promising young sports stars will be offered free use of the council’s gym and swimming facilities at certain times in a bid to help further their careers.

Officers from Harrogate Borough Council are recommending that the scheme be given the go-ahead when members meet on Tuesday.

A report to be considered by the council’s cabinet member (cultural services) says that the authority is keen to support young athletes, particularly following on from the success of the Olympics and Paralympics.

It says: “The academy will recognise the talented athletes we have in the district and help to raise their profile and support their training.

“The academy is a low cost/high impact way for the council to raise [its] own profile by supporting local sporting talent, especially following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games when the public are looking towards the council to do something to support athletes locally.

“The academy will help to attract and retain other athletes to our programmes by providing positive role models with display boards around the centres highlighting their achievements etc.”

If councillors back the scheme t he Harrogate District Talented Athletes Academy (HDTAA) will offer up to a maximum of 100 places each year. It will offer free access to the council’s facilities at agreed times for athletes up to the age of 25 who live in Harrogate or who represent a local club.

Those eligible to take part include athletes who have competed at national or international level and those in regional elite squads.

The authority says the scheme, if approved, will be reviewed on an annual basis.

It says the only cost would be the £12 fee for an hour’s induction for each athlete and a possible loss of membership fees if athletes are already paying to use the facilities.