Hull Culture and Leisure has awarded its first annual membership to a local talented athlete, as part of a new scheme to support the city’s future sporting stars reach world-class podiums.
Marko Voronovs, aged nine and from Spring Bank West, Hull is a member of Hull Boxing Centre and has achieved a place on the England Boxing Talent Programme (EBTP).
He will now receive an annual Junior Tonic Card membership, from Hull Culture and Leisure that will give him full access to leisure facilities operated by Hull Culture and Leisure to support his training needs.
Marco started boxing in February 2012 at Hull Boxing Centre, and with the help and hard work of his Head Coach Stevie Smith, Marko has become the two-time National School Boy Champion, making him Hull’s first ever male minor champion in 2016.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism and Chair of Hull Culture & Leisure Limited, said:
“This new scheme is designed to assist talented young athletes in gaining access to high quality facilities to reach their full potential in their chosen sport and bring out the best of the city’s emerging new talent, without having to worry about the cost of accessing the leisure facilities. We are committed to investing in today’s promising athletes who have the potential to become tomorrow’s sporting heroes.”
Marko Voronovs’ mum, Dace Voronovs, said: “Boxing has had a huge impact on Marko’s life, making him more focused, disciplined and determined to succeed. In the future Marko hopes to represent the country, and as he is already involved in the England Boxing Talent Programme, this shouldn’t be too far out of his reach.
“The ultimate goal, with a lot of hard work and dedication, would be to represent his country in a future Olympic Games and come home holding a medal. Marko has been fortunate enough to be accepted for a Tonic card which will allow him to use gym facilities across the city. This will provide Marko with more opportunities and equipment to develop his fitness and enable him to train more to become the boxer he is so ambitious to become.”
Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd have set up the Talented Athlete Scheme to help gifted sports people who are gaining recognition from their National Governing Body, but not yet at elite status. Recipients of the scheme will be given much needed support in the form of free access to the city’s public leisure facilities to support their training.
To qualify for the scheme the talented athlete must be recognised by their associated National Governing Body and enrolled onto a Talent Programme as part of their development.
