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2026 Coaching Scholarship: The British Weight Lifting Foundation

The British Weight Lifting Foundation is delighted to announce funding for another round of coaching scholarships, to help more people become qualified in weightlifting.

The trustees and staff behind the Foundation are committed to ensuring the charity’s fundraising, programmes, projects and day to day running is as effective and efficient as possible to maximise the benefits available and transform people’s lives.

The Foundation is offering a limited number of FREE places on selected BWL Coaching courses for eligible candidates.

Rebecca Wainwright, Chair/Trustee of the BWL Foundation said “we’re committed to helping to remove barriers and giving more people involved in weightlifting the opportunity and encouragement to develop as coaches, and this round is focussed on supporting young people and deprived areas in the UK”.

How are coaching scholarships awarded?

The funding is targeted towards eligible individuals who are motivated to deliver weightlifting coaching and support participation in a British Weight Lifting affiliated club or a not-for-profit community organisation.

What courses are funded?

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from individuals who meet the following criteria:

A minimum of one year’s experience of weightlifting participation.
Are a member of a British Weight Lifting Affiliated Club OR a not-for-profit organisation (for example a school, not-for profit sports club, charity, or community interest company).
Aged 16-25 OR live in or coach at a venue in an area of high deprivation.

Applicants aged 26 or over must check their area’s deprivation data before applying. This can be done by inputting their home or venue post code on their home nation’s website for deprivation data.

England: English Indices of Deprivation (IMD 2019)

In England we consider high deprivation as an area with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 1 to 4.

Scotland: Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD 2020)

In Scotland we consider high deprivation as an area with a Decile Rank of 1 to 4.

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM 2017)

In Northern Ireland we consider high deprivation as an area with a Deprivation Rank of 1 to 356.

Wales: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD 2019)

In Wales we consider high deprivation as a score of 10% to 40%.

Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria should apply.

Key dates:

Applications close: Monday 23 February 2026 at 9am

Applicants notified: Week commencing 3 March 2026

Successful applicant enrolment deadline: 31 March 2026

Apply today:

Click here to apply

Terms and conditions

The final decision on all applications will be made by the British Weight Lifting Foundation and British Weight Lifting.
Successful applicants will be notified by British Weight Lifting and will have until 31 March 2026 to enrol onto the allocated course. The offer will be withdrawn if the applicant has not enrolled in the allotted time.
Successful applicants have 12 months to complete the course from the date of enrolment.
Successful applicants will be regularly contacted during the course completion process to monitor progress.