Getting Financial Support

SportsAid

SportsAid say that they are the "first people to say yes" to young athletes looking for funding. Most of their support for fencing comes via British Fencing see this page but they do sometimes make extra grants, usually to a max of £250 through their regional offices.

OCS Young Sports Person Awards

This scheme has just changed following a partnership arrangement with Sports Aid, but it's worth keeping an eye on the website, as their awards are quite generous.

Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust

This is a private charitable trust who make awards to a variety of young athletes.

Foundation for Sports and the Arts

This foundation redistributes money from the football pools. Their funding criteria are normally aimed at project based applications, but allow for funding individual athletes up to £500.

CatchSport

CatchSport is a new initiative launched by fencer Karim Bashir. It seeks to bring together potential sponsors with athletes needing funding. It does not make direct payments.

GLL Sports Foundation

Greenwich Leisure Ltd is just launching this programme (certain London Boroughs only). It is unclear exactly what they will be offering, but the website says "To support young athletes we aim to provide financial grants and access to sports facilities to reduce the financial burden of training and competition"

The Dickie Bird Foundation

Set up by the famous cricket umpire, the foundation makes awards of between £100 and £5000 to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue the sport of their choice.

The King of Shaves Young Blades

This is a fund set up by the "King of Shaves" company, which makes awards of £1000 to young athletes.