YOUNG athletes in the borough can apply for grants which could help them go for gold.

Applications are now open for youngsters across London and South East England to take advantage of financial and training grants offered by Barnet Council in partnership with GLL sport foundation.

The foundation has been set up to support talented young athletes by reducing the financial burden of training and competition.

Athletes have until February 13, 2011 to apply for a share of £400,000 which the foundation plans to invest in the country’s sporting hopefuls over the next year.

Each of the successful applicants will benefit from funding of up to £1,750 which will be spent on training, travel and equipment or training awards allowing free sporting access to more than 70 sports facilities. Abi Oyepitan is a 200 metre sprinter and a successful Barnet athlete from 2010.

She said: “Winning both gold and silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games is still sinking in, as this time last year I was recovering from yet another operation and contemplating retiring from the sport."

“The support I received from the GLL sport foundation early on in the year was invaluable and allowed me to be able to fund part of my warm weather training in May to Florida."

For more information visit www.gllsportfoundation.org