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Believe to Achieve funding 2025/26

Find out about the grant fund available to support elite and talented athletes in Torbay.

Talented Athlete Grants 2025/26 

We currently have a grant fund available to support our elite and talented athletes. We want to help ensure they can achieve their sporting dreams. Grants of up to £1,500, depending on level of competition, are available. They can be used to pay towards:  

  • athletes training 
  • equipment 
  • competition fees  
  • expenses 

The fund is designed to support activity above and beyond the norm. The aim is to propel them into the next level of sporting success. Believe to Achieve is a grant scheme. The aim is to support and encourage our talented athletes in Torbay. The grants can help with costs so they can keep pursuing their sporting goals and careers. 

Training costs, travel, equipment, and competition fees can soon mount up. We don’t want these to become financial hurdles that prevent our athletes from achieving their full potential. 

We want to support those who are utterly determined to achieve their goals. This will inspire the next generation of sports stars. They can follow their example and choose sport as a fundamental part of their lives. 

We created the scheme to show our commitment to supporting the sporting talent of tomorrow. We want to help them flourish and thrive in their chosen fields. 

We recognise that every sport is unique. Each application will be reviewed on the evidence provided. 

We will award grants four times per financial year. Panel reviews will take place in June, September and December 2025, and March 2026. To ensure your application is taken to panel, return applications by: 

  • 4pm Wednesday 28 May 2025 
  • 4pm Wednesday 27 August 2025 
  • 4pm Wednesday 26 November 2025 
  • 4pm Wednesday 25 February 2026 

All applicants must meet the following criteria: 

  • Have lived within the Torbay Council boundaries for the past three years. We will need proof of address via a copy of their (or parent/guardians) 25/26 Council Tax Bill and photo ID. 
  • The athlete’s Club must be a registered and paid member of Sport Torbay. 
  • The club and governing body believe the person has the attitude and ability to progress. 
  • The club/county coach/regional coach/national coach must support the application. They must confirm in writing that the person is on their chosen sport’s elite/gifted/talented pathway. They must confirm the level at which the athlete is competing. 
  • The award is not for regular training/coaching/club requirements. It is not for buying clothing. It must be for a specific purpose, such as:  
  • travel to additional training outside of normal club training (eg, County, Regional, National Squads) 
  • taking part in a particular event/competition outside of the Devon area 
  • extra coaching or equipment 

In some cases, the decision may be to target financial support. This may be by paying club fees or meeting extra training costs. The need must be clearly evidenced. 

  • Athletes must be competing or be showing the ability to compete in the future, at:  
    • County 
    • Regional 
    • National  
    • International Level 
  • Awards will be given on a phased approach depending on the level an athlete is competing at: 
    • Competing up to and including County Level – awards up to £350. 
    • Competing up to and including Regional Level – awards up to £750. 
    • Competing up to an including National and International Level – awards up to £1,500. 

Before completing this application, please note the following will be required: 

  • A letter from a club, county or National Governing Body representative. It must verify the applicant is representing, or on the pathway to representing their county, region or country. 
  • A letter written six months after receiving the grant. It needs to detail how you spent the funds and what it allowed you to achieve. 
  • We will ask successful recipients to undertake supportive roles and responsibilities for Torbay Council and Sport Torbay. These may include (but are not limited to):  
  • attending sporting & celebration events  
  • having your image/blogs on the Torbay Council and Sport Torbay website,  
  • having your image/blogs on social media sites, including YouTube, and relevant publications 

Failure to support Torbay Council and Sport Torbay in these roles will result in funding being withdrawn. 

  • Appropriate recognition must be given to Torbay Council and Sport Torbay in any media and social media coverage involving the individual. 

Circumstances where we will not provide financial assistance: 

  • If the sport is not recognised by Sport England. 
  • If the individual resides outside of Torbay. 
  • If all of the funding has been allocated. 

Email us for more information or to apply for a Believe to Achieve grant.