APPLICATIONS are now being sought for Sports Ambassadors to represent Chelmsford Council.

If you are an adult or a young person aged above 11 years, live in the city and or belong to a city-based sports club - apply now.

The scheme supports leading sportspeople within Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, offering free use of training facilities at the City Council’s four leisure centres. In return, you will represent Chelmsford at sporting events, support important projects, give talks and help at coaching sessions for young people.

The period of time of representation will be from April 2015 to March 2016.

The scheme supports emerging new sporting talent and rewards high level performers. It is open to anybody who currently competes in an Olympic or Paralympic sport. Successful applicants will be those that have been a member of a Home Countries National Team and/or have been ranked in the top 10 national competitors within your sport during the previous six months.

Hayley McLean, who won the European Junior Championships Gold medal in 2013 for the 400m Hurdles, said: “I have been lucky enough to be part of the Chelmsford Sports Ambassador Scheme for the last few years and have found it both an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

“Being able to inspire others has been very rewarding and has allowed me to gain skills such as working with others and has helped me to gain confidence when speaking to a group. I love being able to inspire the younger athletes and hopefully being a good role model can encourage more children to get involved in sport.”

Councillor Ray Ride said “This scheme fosters talented local sports stars of the future and offers them a fantastic opportunity to raise their profile, receive preferential rights to training facilities and act as role models for other young people.”

Applications can be made online now at: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/sportsambassadors.

The closing date is Sunday 15 March.