SPORTS stars of the future will benefit from a link up between Active York and Benenden Health.

So declared Keith Morris, acting chair of Active York, the city’s sport and active leisure partnership, as he announced that Benenden Health had pledged their support as the organisation’s lead partner.

Active York recently launched the Active York Sports Awards and Benenden Health’s support will help to deliver the awards dinner and the organisation’s Fund For The Gifted scheme.

Morris said: “This is fantastic news for the future of Active York and by consequence the future of York’s athletes. “Having Benenden Health as lead partner means Active York can support more of the city’s up and coming athletes through our Fund For The Gifted financial grant scheme as well as honouring our sporting community at the Active York Sports Awards on April 9.”

Lawrence Christensen, marketing director at Benenden Health, said: “Partnering with Active York is an excellent fit for Benenden Health.

“As a health and wellbeing organisation, helping to make people in our local area more aware of the benefits of exercise.”

Fund For The Gifted grants are available to any youngsters who live, attend a school and train in York. For more information about The Fund For The Gifted visit the www.activeyork.org website.

Meanwhile, the Active York Sports Awards dinner will take place on Wednesday, April 9 in the Roger Kirk Centre at the University of York.

The initial deadline for award nominations has been extended until Friday, March 7.

Details of the award criteria, as well as information on how to nominate and purchase tickets for the dinner, can be found by visiting www.activeyork.org