TEXACO INCREASES FUNDING FOR SPORTSTARS BURSARIES
Twenty-five clubs to benefit from scheme - twenty from the Republic and five from Northern Ireland
Texaco is to significantly increase the level of funding available for their 2008 Texaco Sportstars Bursary scheme. As a result, twenty-five clubs from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland stand to benefit from disbursements made under the scheme this year.
In renewing their commitment for a second year, Chevron (Ireland) Limited has pledged in excess of EUR100,000 to the scheme. This will facilitate an increase in the number of qualifying clubs in the Republic from 10 to 20 and in N. Ireland from 3 to 5.
Launched last year as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Texaco Sportstars Awards, the 2008 Texaco Sportstars Bursary scheme is open to all sports clubs across Ireland. A total of twenty-five bursaries will be distributed - twenty going to deserving sports clubs in the Republic of Ireland in amounts of €5,000 each and five to clubs in N. Ireland in amounts of Stg£3,500 each.
To be launched on Monday, 25th August, the scheme will be open for a 6-week period within which clubs must make their applications. Closing date for entries will be Friday, 3rd October. Winners will be presented with their award at a ceremony to be held in Dublin on Wednesday 29th October.
Submissions for a Texaco Sportstars Bursary will be considered by an independent panel of Sportstars experts chaired by former RTÉ sports producer, Michael O’Carroll. In framing their entry, successful clubs must demonstrate why they deserve a bursary and how they would spend the award if successful. In choosing the twenty-five successful clubs, adjudicators will be influenced by the worthiness of the submissions and how deserving they believe each recipient club would be.
Commenting, Enda Riney, Country Chairman, Chevron (Ireland) Limited said ‘I am delighted that we have been able to double the amount of funding given to the Texaco Sportstars Bursary. By investing in sport at grassroots level, Texaco can help to foster local sporting talent in a manner that will benefit communities across Ireland’.
The successful clubs which received bursaries in 2007 were Commercial Rowing Club, Bayside Gymnastics Club, Jobstown Celtic Football Club, Ballon-Rathoe Athletic Club & Community Games (Carlow), Ballingarry-Granagh Community Games (Limerick), Kilmacsimon Swimming & Rowing Club (Cork), Kiltimagh Special Olympics Network (Mayo), St. Killian's Athletic Club (Wexford), Pearse Og Hurling Club (Carlingford), Donegal Community Games (Letterkenny), Ballymena & Antrim Athletic Club, Andersonstown Basketball Club (Belfast) and Pearse Og Gaelic Football Club (Armagh).
Full details of the 2008 Texaco Sportstars Bursaries are contained in brochures available at all Texaco service stations and on-line at www.texaco.ie/bursary. To apply, clubs must complete an official application form currently available on-line and through all Texaco service stations. Information is also being mailed to clubs across the country.
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