Earlier this year, Paul Pruzina and Andrew Elwood were awarded Mary Peters Trust Funding grants.

Below is an extract from the Northern Ireland Orienteering Website:

Paul Pruzina & Andrew Elwood (both LVO) were delighted with their successful applications, which were supported by the NI Juniors coach & the Active Clubs programme.

What’s the Mary Peters Trust?  Their aim is to help aspiring young athletes to realise their maximum potential, by assisting them in both a financial and advisory capacity.  Many orienteers over the years have benefited from the programme, and both Paul & Andrew are happy to share what it means to them.

Paul Pruzina, M21 – funding for travel & training for World University Orienteering Championships

In Ireland our terrain is very different to what is typical in the rest of the world, I feel like it’s really important to get experience orienteering in different terrains so that I can compete against the best, but having to travel far to do this means that costs can really rack up, so I’m really pleased to have got support from MPT. This will hopefully help me continue to progress up the results list, with this year’s goal being the World University Championships in Finland.

Andrew Elwood, M18 – funding for travel & training for European Youth Orienteering Championships

Receiving this award of money means a lot to me as it will allow me to travel to EYOC in Bulgaria at the end of June this year. I will be competing in the M18 age category which consists of people aged 16-18. I am also planning to go to France this July to compete in the OOCup competition for five days and also take part in training with the Ireland Squad for three days either side of the competition. This award will also help me to go to this. Other plans I have for competing are hopefully in the JIRCs in September to represent team Northern Ireland and also to hopefully go to either the JHIs in October.

Congratulations to both Andrew & Paul, who competed well over the summer and are looking forward to a busy Autumn.  Paul is off to the Senior Home International, with Andrew selected to run in both the Junior Inter-Regional Orienteering Championships and the Junior Home International.

Feeling inspired?  Why not chat to Andrew or Paul for some advice on how you can get involved and take your orienteering to the next level.

Mary Peters Trust funding applications are accepted twice yearly (for April & October approval) – if you’re interested then please contact Stephanie Pruzina (NI Juniors Coach) or Susan Lambe (Active Clubs Coordinator).