National USATF Youth Committee
30 Clinton Street 5th floor
Phone: 1-866-891-0120
Fax:      1-973-242-3718
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Lionel Leach
Phone: 917-913-5505

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2007

 
2007 Mark Springer Youth Travel Grant largest in USATF Youth History

 In partnership with the USA Track & Field Foundation, we are pleased to announce the 2007 Mark Springer Youth Travel Grant program will award almost $50,000 dollars in aid to send our youth athletes to USATF’s four National Youth and Junior championship events this year:

  • June 20-24 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships Indianapolis, IN
  • July 3-July 8 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships Lisle, IL
  • July 24-July 29 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships Walnut, CA
  • December 8 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships Lawrence, KS
This by far is the largest amount of grants that will be awarded to clubs in our program, said Lionel Leach, National Youth Chair. Our Youth Executive Committee, the USATF National Office and the USA Track & Field Foundation will continue to work together to make our youth program the best youth program in the country.
 
Named after the former USATF Director of Grass Roots Programs and Planning and originator of the program, the Mark Springer Youth Travel Grant Program offers travel assistance grants to eligible youth clubs across the country. Since 2000, the grants have helped clubs offset expenses related to bringing athletes to USATF national or developmental championships.

Over $130,000 has been awarded to more than 150 clubs, with an average grant of $750, since the program's inception, making it one of USATF's most popular grass roots efforts and a direct benefit for your membership as a USATF Club.

We encourage you to apply early and pay special attention to how the grant funds may best serve deserving members of your club. If your club has been awarded a travel grant in the past, we encourage you to provide history of how the funds were utilized (e.g. how many additional athletes were able to attend because of the grant, medals winners, etc.). Please note that these grants may only be used for the championships listed above and receipts must be submitted for travel expenses in order to receive grant reimbursement. In addition, those clubs awarded a grant must participate in USATF’s Be A Champion program by completing the Be A Champion pledge which will be provided upon grant award.

You can also fax the completed application to USATF at 317-261-0481 or send it via e-mail to McKenze.Murphy@usatf.org. To be eligible for this program, your 2007 USATF club membership must be renewed prior to April 21st.

We wish every USATF member club the best of luck this year and we look forward to seeing many of you at our National championships.

Thank you again for joining USATF in 2007 and for continuing your support of our grass roots and development programs. Stay tuned to USATF’s website throughout the year for new benefits and opportunities!
 
To get your application logon to: http://www.youthusatf.com/NationalChampionships.html
 
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