Young Athletes (YA) Bursary Scheme

Aim

Barnet and District Athletic Club is committed to broadening access to/widening partcipation in top level athletics for its young athletes. The bursary scheme intends to attract and retain talented YAs who will enhance the success of the Club. It aims to realise the potential of these individuals within the sport.

It will do this by offering financial support towards the payment of some costs involved with this level of sports participation. The costs will be paid for out of Club funds and the amount may vary each year depending on funds available.

Purpose

This fund will support individual young athletes who have already shown promise and demonstrated a high level of ability, enabling them to continue competing at a top level of competition and reach their full potential.

It is recognition from the Club of their achievement and for their representation of the Club.

Eligibility

The bursary is available for all young athletes aged 14-23 years old.

The athlete must be a registered 1st claim member of Barnet and District Athle1c Club and have been so for the 24 months preceding the applica1on.

The athlete will need to attain the English Schools’ Athletic Association Na1onal Standards (ESAA National Standards). The current standards at the time of the application will be used.

When a young athlete is beyond the school age grading bands, the England Athletic Outdoor Championship Entry Standards or the England Athletics 2026 Indoor Championship Entry Standards of the relevant year will be used.

The athlete would be expected to participate in events recognised by England Athletics EA/UKA and to represent Barnet and District Athletic Club in an ambassadorial role or with commitment and enthusiasm.

The bursary awards are not means tested.

All applications will be looked at on an case by case basis.

Who can apply

• The young athlete

• The athlete’s coach in conjunc1on with young athlete

• The athlete’s parent/carer in conjunc1on with young athlete

An athlete can apply for the bursary for subsequent years, providing they still reach the qualifying criteria.

Process

The application form can be requested via YABursary@barnetadac.com or downloaded here. Details should be given as to what the bursary would be spent on.

The type of expenses for which the bursary could be used includes travel costs, accommodation, accompanying adult, or competition entry costs. These could also include specific high value items the YA may need to make an improvement for them and their performance, e.g. dry robe, kit bag, waterproofs, running shoes, spikes etc. Each request will be dealt with on its own merits.

When an application has been received this will be looked at by a member of the subcommittee initially. The standard attained will be confirmed and discussion may take place with the named coach.

The subcommittee will discuss the application and what the funds have been requested for and let the applicant/parent/carer know if the request has been successful.

The agreed bursary amount can then be spent, and costs will be reimbursed against receipts. Monies will be transferred to the parent/carer’s bank account on receipt of the original receipt or copy of the bank statement/transfer showing monies spent for agreed purpose. Costs may not be reimbursed if receipts or other documents proving where money has been spent are not provided, this will be at the discre1on of the subcommittee.

Once the young athlete has attained the age of 18 the monies can be paid directly into their own bank account.

The amount agreed will vary according to the YA’s needs and expenses. Ini1ally there will be limit of up to £500 per young athlete per year.

Only in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the subcommi6ee will money be paid ahead of the expenditure.

Any change of use, or money not spent on agreed expenditure may result in monies needed to be repaid to the Club.

Any personal money spent by any athlete or parent/carer ahead of an agreement may not be paid in retrospect.

Applica1ons should be submitted in plenty of time prior to the cost being incurred, to allow 1me for it to be considered and approved.

Applications can be submitted at any point during a year, as YAs may reach the standard required part way through a year or season. The subcommittee also recognise that cross-country and road races usually take place at a different 1me of year to track and field competitions.

Policy review

This policy is new as of May 2026 and therefore some changes may need to be made to reflect the reality of implementing such a policy.

It will be reviewed in two years’ time (May 2028) to keep it relevant and to make changes as required.