FINANCIAL support is being offered to Darlington residents wanting to apply for a sports coaching bursary.

The Tees Valley Coach Bursary Scheme aims to increase the number of qualified sports coaches in the Tees Valley.

Applicants can apply for a 50 per cent grant - up to a maximum of £200 - towards the total cost of a coaching qualification, in return for working an agreed amount of voluntary hours.

The scheme applies to people aged 14 to 25-years-old living or coaching in Darlington wanting to gain a leadership level one or two qualification, and to those who are coaching people aged from 14 to 25-years-old in the town working towards those qualifications.

The deadline for applications is May 31 and Darlington Council’s Sports Development Team is offering support to anyone who wants help with the application process.

For advice, contact Paul Foreman on 01325-254370, or to apply visit www.teesvalleysport.co.uk.