Believe to Achieve: Talented Athlete Funding
Purpose of the Scheme
Believe to Achieve provides financial assistance to local athletes who are progressing through recognised National Governing Body (NGB) performance pathways. The aim is to support athletes representing the area at county, regional, national or international level, helping with costs associated with training and competition outside of normal club costs.
Funding is intended to reduce financial barriers and enable athletes to continue progressing within their sport’s recognised talent pathway as well as recognising sporting achievements within the local authority and encouraging positive role models for local communities and young people.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a resident of the local authority area.
- Be currently selected onto a recognised talent pathway operated by the sport’s National Governing Body (NGB), at County, Regional and/or National level.
- Be competing in a sport recognised by Sport England or UK Sport.
- Demonstrate commitment to training and competition at the required level.
- Provide verification of selection from their NGB, club, or performance programme lead.
Funding will only be awarded to athletes who are actively competing within the NGB talent development system.
Applications may be submitted by the athlete or a parent/guardian if the athlete is under 18 years of age.
Funding Levels
Athletes may apply at the level that reflects their current highest pathway status.
County Level Talent – £350
Athletes must:
- Be selected for a County squad or equivalent NGB talent programme.
- Be competing at county level competitions.
- Provide confirmation from their club, county association, or NGB pathway lead.
Funding may be used for:
- Competition entry fees
- Travel to training or competition
- Equipment and kit
- Coaching costs – for the County programme.
Regional Level Talent – £750
Athletes must:
- Be selected to a Regional squad, academy or development programme recognised by the NGB.
- Be competing in regional championships or national qualification events.
- Provide confirmation of regional squad selection from the NGB or regional programme.
Funding may support:
- Travel to regional/national training camps
- Competition costs
- Equipment and kit
- Coaching costs – for the regional programme
Elite National Squad Pathway – £1,500
Athletes must:
- Be selected to a National Development Squad, National Squad, or equivalent elite pathway programme recognised by the NGB.
- Be competing at national championships, international competitions, or official selection events.
- Provide written confirmation of National Governing Body squad selection.
Priority may be given to athletes who are:
- Representing their country internationally
- Ranked nationally within their sport
- On a national performance pathway toward international representation
Funding may support:
- National squad training camps
- International travel and competition
- Specialist performance support (physio, S&C, nutrition)
- High-performance equipment
- National Squad kit
Application Process and Evidence Required
Applicants must provide:
- Proof of address/residency
- Confirmation of NGB pathway selection
- Evidence of competition results or ranking
- Outline of training programme
- Brief explanation of how the funding will be used
Applications must be submitted using the Believe to Achieve application form.
Funding Considerations
- Funding is awarded once per financial year.
- In extraordinary circumstances funding can be applied for more than once per financial year but permission must be requested before an application submitted via email to torbay.move@torbay.gov.uk.
- Applications will be assessed by a panel of council officers and community sport representatives.
- Athletes may be asked to support local sport initiatives (e.g., school visits, community events).
- Funding may only be used for sport-related costs.
- Athletes must inform the Local Authority of any significant changes to their competition status.
The Local Authority reserves the right to request evidence of how the funding has been used.
Priority Considerations
Priority may be given to:
- Athletes demonstrating national progression potential
- Financial need (where relevant)
- Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth or recognised international sports pathways
- Athlete commitment to training and development
Award Periods
We will award grants four times per financial year. Panel reviews will take place in July and October 2026, January 2027 and March 2027. To ensure your application is taken to panel, return applications by:
- 12 noon Friday 3 July 2026
- 12 noon Wednesday 7 October 2026
- 12 noon Wednesday 13 January 2027
- 12 noon Wednesday 3 March 2027