Two teenagers are targeting the London Olympics in 2012 after qualifying for Daventry District Council’s passport to excellence scheme.
Matthew McLean, 16, and Shane Acton, 17, are both aiming to compete at the games in their respective sports.
To supplement their training they are taking advantage of the innovative passport to excellence scheme run by the council and SOLL Leisure.
The idea is that anyone who is competing in a Sport England recognised sport at a regional level and lives in the Daventry district can apply for a years’ worth of free use of Daventry Leisure Centre’s health and fitness suite, and Matthew and Shane have both just qualified for a pass.
Matthew, of Woodford Halse, is the under 16s national champion for marathon kayaking and is also the under 16s bronze medallist in sprint kayaking.
He paddles three times a week with Banbury Canoe Club and also goes to the gym and cycles, but during the Winter the weather conditions mean he will have to go to the gym much more regularly.
Matthew said: "This pass is a great opportunity for me and I will use it quite a lot.
“I go out on the water to train three times a week but in the winter it is too cold to train outside this often so this pass will allow me to train at the gym a lot more during this time. "I have been improving a lot recently and hope to be good enough to be a contender in the next Olympics."
Shane Acton, of Stefan Hill, Daventry, plays hockey for Coventry and North Warwickshire, and the Midlands at a regional level.
The former Danetre School Pupil, who took up the game when he was five years old, has also played for England Under 16s and plays hockey four times a week.
Shane said: “I will use this pass quite regularly and it will be a great help for my training.
“I hope to be good enough to play for my country in 2012 and I'm focusing all my efforts on this Olympic goal."
Councillor Chris Millar, Leader of Daventry District Council, said: “The Excellence scheme is all about developing talent today for sporting success tomorrow.
“It will give talented performers the opportunity to progress to the best of their ability and achieve excellence, and we believe it will give Matthew and Shane an even better chance to achieve their dreams.”
For more information about the passport to excellence scheme and an application form, contact the Recreation team at Daventry District Council on 01327 302265.
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