Jaguar Academy Of Sport: Investing In New Sporting Talent

LONDON – Sept 28, 2011: British Athletics star, Jessica Ennis, is set to mentor the next generation of hopefuls in Leeds on Thursday as part of her patronage of The Jaguar Academy of Sport.

The Jaguar Academy of Sport is backed by some of the biggest names in British sport and showcases some of the most successful British sports stars. It marks outstanding achievements and sporting moments and identifies and provides funding for Rising Stars which, it's hoped, over time will help produce our future greats.

The Academy recognises, celebrates and inspires the very best of British sporting talent and success. This is a long term commitment to support the next generation of British champions, by bringing together the Academy's Rising Stars and the nation's most celebrated sportsmen and women, sports media and prominent business figures to create a unique Best of British sports club.

At the heart of the Academy of Sport is our unique Bursary Programme. Each year, our Patrons and Ambassadors work with SportsAid to select the Academy of Sport's Rising Stars. These young athletes, typically aged between 14-24 years old, are those who demonstrate the greatest potential, real dedication to their sport and an outstanding desire to perform and succeed.

Bursary Awards help support our Rising Stars with equipment, competition and training expenses. More importantly, each Rising Star also becomes a member of the Academy of Sport's Mentoring and Education Programme, which we hope will inspire each of them to go on to become a future British champion.

This unique programme brings together the insight and experience of our Patrons and Ambassadors to develop specific skills within our Rising Stars. The programme includes Workshops, Talent Days and One to One Mentoring, working not only with the young athletes but also their parents and coaches.