Belfast teenager and world pro-tour table tennis champion, Owen Cathcart (14), has been awarded a Phoenix Sports Bursary to help with costs towards travel and training as he pursues his Olympics dream.
The rising star, who plays for Ormeau Table Tennis Club in Belfast, is the first person from Northern Ireland ever to win a world pro-tour table tennis event when he took home the Belgian Open Cadet Boys Singles Title at the ITTF World Junior Circuit earlier this year. His accolades also include representing Ireland at senior level and winning a bronze medal for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships last year.
The Phoenix Sports Bursary will help Owen in his path to achieving Olympic success through funding travel and accommodation for the local athlete to compete internationally and improve his game.
Patricia Hunter, who, as Chair of Table Tennis Ireland successfully applied for the funding for Owen, reflected; “Owen’s been playing table tennis since he was eight years old and thanks to a lot of hard work he’s just gone from strength to strength. His recent Belgian Open win could be the first step on a road that eventually leads to the Olympics in 2020 which would be an absolute dream for Owen. We can’t thank Phoenix enough for their financial support and we’re so proud of him.”
Alastair Pollock, Business Development Director at Phoenix Natural Gas, said; “Phoenix Sports Bursaries are open to local athletes who represent their region or country competitively or have the potential to do so, whilst living in Northern Ireland. Owen is the perfect example and has accomplished so much already. We are delighted to help Owen achieve his goals and wish him every success competing in future tournaments”.
For more information on Phoenix’s sports bursary scheme, visitwww.phoenixgroupni.com/about-the-phoenix-group/corporate-responsibility/supporting-local-talent/
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