Windsurfer Cameron Coghill helped by council grant

A talented windsurfer is one of the beneficiaries of a Nottinghamshire County Council grant that helps to fund athletes at the highest level. Cameron Coghill, 18, of Bleasby, who has been competing for eight years, first received support from the Sports Fund six years ago. His mother, Julie Coghill, said: “The grant is a small but useful contribution and helps towards the cost of travelling equipment and entry fees. “Cameron has been in the national squads for the past five years and competes regularly around the UK and Europe, so something like this can be vital.” Coghill, a member of Notts Sailing Club, was 34th in the Youth Men Open Trophy at the RSX European Championships in Sicily, the second-highest British competitor. He will next be in action at the World Championships in Poland later this month. The council grant totals £400 and talented athletes who have represented their country in a sport recognised by Sport England in the past eight months can apply. Other athletes in the Advertiser area to have received funding include 16-year-old tennis player Dominic West, of Newark, ranked 800th in ITF Junior Tennis. Another windsurfer to have received help from the fund is Emily Hall, 17, a member of the British Youth Sailing team, who has represented her country at both the World and European junior championships. Joyce Bosnjak, chairman of the council’s grant aid committee, said: “Our Sports Fund grant schemes play a vital role, both in creating opportunities for people to take part in sport at a grassroots level and through funding our most talented athletes. “Nottinghamshire’s reputation as the sporting county is well deserved, but it’s important to remember that the success being enjoyed by our athletes and teams does not come about by accident. “Only through the dedication and hard work of our athletes — and just as importantly, their families, coaches, clubs and schools — has the county been able to enjoy the level of success that it has in recent years. “I am proud that Nottinghamshire County Council continues to value sport and play an important role in helping local athletes and clubs succeed, as it has for many years.”