Can I apply for financial assistance directly?

No. The governing bodies are responsible for deciding which athletes receive funding through a framework agreed with the Sports Councils. Anyone interested in determining their potential for funding should contact the relevant governing body.

However, other sources of funding for sport also exist. Sport Aid offers support to talented individuals and offers funding on a national and regional level. Again all applications have to be endorsed by the governing body of the sport in question. For further information, Sports Aid can be contacted at Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9TL (Tel: 020 7387 9380).

In addition, the Directory of Social Change (DSC) produces an exhaustive publication entitled the sports funding guide, which contains a section on potential sources of funding for individuals that you may also find useful. The DSC is located at 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP (Tel: 020 7209 5151). As the cost of the guide is £16.95, you may wish to obtain a copy through their local library. Alternatively, Sport England have published a booklet about "Sources of Funding" which you may find helpful. Contact Sport England at 16 Upper Woburn Place London WC1H 0PQ for a copy