Thirteen sports clubs from Westmeath are among a record 923 applicants from across the 32 counties to put their names forward for the 2010 Texaco Sportstars Bursaries. A previous Westmeath winner was Shoot ‘N’ Stars Special Olympics, Mullingar who won an award in 2008, which they used for improving the facilities for their club members.
Launched four years ago, the scheme is open to all sports clubs, north and south. A fund in excess of €120,000 has been allocated to the scheme from which a total of 25 sports clubs stand to benefit. Bursaries are distributed in amounts of €5,000 each.
Of the entries received this year, soccer accounts for the highest number (232 ) followed by GAA (182 ), rugby (53 ), basketball (49 ), athletics (37 ), hockey (32 ), and martial arts (29 ). Minority sports represented include water polo, American football, adventure sports, volleyball, kayaking, ice hockey, and diving.
Judging is currently under way and winners will be announced ahead of the awards presentation which takes place in Dublin on Thursday, September 30.
