The CAT is a "not for profit" event. A record total of £1400 was raised by the event in 2010 to support promising young athletes from the area, particularly important in these hard times when the cost of training and equipment can be a significant barrier to developing the wealth of talent in the strath. 2010 also saw a record number of applicants for grant awards from the CAT and the Committee had a particularly hard time selecting from a very impressive line up of talented young sports people. In the end awards were made to biathletes Calum Irvine and Scott Dixon and mountain biker Finlay Strivens and cheques were formally presented at the CAT’s AGM in March 2011.

The grant enabled Calum and Scott to buy equipment and travel to Norway late last year where they qualified for European Youth Olympics in the Czech Republic. Both now have their sights set high on the World Youth Olympics in Austria next winter. Finlay is also making good progress in competitive mountain biking and expressed his thanks saying
"the indoor turbo trainer I bought using the CAT money has meant I could carry on with full-on training through the winter, despite a hand injury, so my fitness levels are good for the coming season."

All three young athletes are also actively giving back to their sports by getting involved in coaching younger enthusiasts and being inspiring role models. Finlay was recently runner up in the Young Sports Volunteer Awards for his dedication to mountain bike coaching with local club Wolfpax.

More details and photos of our supported athletes’ recent activities will be posted as we get them – watch this page.

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image