Young Athletes collect awards at Mary Peters Trust celebration night

More than 150 young athletes from across Northern Ireland and representing 28 different sports from judo and hockey to athletics, sailing and squash have received funding awards from the Mary Peters Trust. Their achievements were celebrated at a special Athletes’ Academy event held at Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Belfast and hosted by BBC NI sports journalist Nigel Ringland.

Athletes are nominated and then selected following a rigorous process and each receive financial and general support to help them navigate and succeed in their sporting careers and ultimately achieve their individual goals.

The current tranche of awards was presented by Lady Mary Peters and athletes were joined by parents and family members as well as sport liaison officers, MPT Board Directors, Awards Team Chair, Will Doggart and King George VI Youth Awards trustees Eric Rainey and John McKee.

The athletes event also celebrated a second year of the David Magill Coaching Awards. Set up by The Magill Family alongside the Mary Peters Trust, this programme was established in memory of Belfast pole-vaulter, businessman and hotelier David Magill.

Pictured are athletes who received King George VI funding awards, Haleigh Miskimmin, Ben Wilson, Orla Mulholland, Quinn Armstrong, Connor Magee, Harry Dyer and Cameron McCracken.  Also pictured is Lady Mary Peters with King George VI Youth Awards trustees Eric Rainey (left) and John McKee (right).