THE Armchair Club, a group of businesspeople who have been raising money for local sports clubs and individuals since 1982, has made grants to support two local young people.

Fifteen-year-old Mansfield golfer Theo Nelson, who plays off a 0.7 handicap, had a successful 2024, including winning the Nottinghamshire Under-18 Order of Merit. At the Midlands Youth U21 Championships the Coxmoor GC member was the youngest competitor, finished 32nd out of 139.

Mansfield Harriers sprinter Matt Smart, who races over 60m, 100m and 200m, progressed further over the winter and was second in the 60m at the England Athletics Under Age Group Championships in February, missing out on gold by just 2/1000th of a second. Eighteen-year-old sprinter Matt is ranked 20th in the UK, including senior athletes, and previously was an England Schools international, racing over 200m and the 4x100m relay in 2023. In February he was invited to take part in the Keely Klassic, the premier indoor competition in the UK at the National Indoor Arena.

A spokesperson for the Armchair Club said: “We are pleased to be able to support two promising young sportsmen at this early stage of their careers. The support from local businesses given to club events, which generate the funds that we are able to distribute, is much appreciated by our members and, of course, those receiving funding to pursue their chosen sport.”

The young athletes who received grants recently will use their grants towards the costs of training, travel, accommodation, and competition fees.

To find out more about the Armchair Club and how to apply for a grant, go to https://www.armchairclub.org