Highland LEADER

Tom Davis, Chair of the Inner Moray Firth North LEADER Local Area Partnership, presents award to Claire Bath, Chair of Fryish Gymnastics Club with Senior Coach Sonny Rhind and some of the young gymnasts looking on.

LEADER is an EU Fund aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. The Inner Moray Firth North Local Area Partnership is responsible for delivering the LEADER Programme in the Black Isle, Cromarty Firth, Dingwall and Seaforth, and Tain and Easter Ross and has made its first award of £34,200 to Fryish Gymnastics Club towards the cost of gymnastics equipment.

Claire Bath, Chair of Fryish Gymnastics Club said: “We’ve seen increased interest in gymnastics across Easter Ross since the club started in 2009. We currently have 250 members with over 150 on the waiting list.

“LEADER funding will help the club to purchase new street gym equipment allowing more people on the waiting list to join. The grant will also contribute to the cost of a competition standard sprung gymnastics floor. We are the first club in Highland to offer this type of flooring and members will be able to practice on the same type of floor used for competitions without needing to travel to the Central Belt.

“While the club caters for all levels of ability and interest, the popularity of competitive gymnastics has been boosted by the recent success of British gymnasts in the Rio Olympics and with access to the right equipment and coaching, there is no reason why some of our young gymnasts might not become household names in the future.”

The Offer of LEADER funding was recently presented to Claire by Tom Davis, Chair of the Inner Moray Firth North LEADER Local Area Partnership, with Senior Coach Sonny Rhind and some of the young gymnasts in attendance.

Tom Davis said: “The Local Area Partnership was highly impressed by the application from Fyrish Gymnastics and we are delighted to be able to support this exciting project.

“The Local Area Partnership has funding of £550,575 to award to projects benefiting communities in the area. We would encourage potential applicants to come forward with project ideas.”

Highland Council is responsible for administering the Highland LEADER Programme. Cllr Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: “There is over £6.6million LEADER funding available for projects in the Highlands and in spite of Brexit it is business as usual. I would urge anyone who is thinking of applying to get in touch with the Highland LEADER Team.”

For further information about the Highland LEADER Programme please visit www.highlandleader.com or contact Judith Wainwright, the LEADER Development Officer for the Inner Moray Firth North. Judith can be contacted on 01463 702570 or by emailing judith.wainwright@highland.gov.uk