2022 Athlete Travel Award Scheme Profile – Hope Henderson

Orkney’s Hope Henderson is one of 11 local athletes benefiting from the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) this year.

Take a look here to find out more about what support from the scheme means to Hope -

• Name: Hope Henderson 
• Age: 15 
• Sport: Climbing
• Club: Orkney Climbing Club/Scotland Youth Squad

What inspired you to take up your sport? 

I remember leaving gymnastics one night when I looked across the arena and saw people climbing. It looked like they were having a lot of fun and I thought that I’d love to give it a go. I started going to classes and was later invited to join the club. I went along to my first competition for fun and the atmosphere and support that was there was amazing. It made me realise that I wanted to participate in more competitions and make climbing a bigger part of my life.

Best achievement this ATAS year? 

So far my biggest achievements this year have been coming 2nd at the first two rounds of the Youth Climbing Series. This is a national competition with competitors from all over Scotland. I’m hoping to be successful at the next two rounds so that I can make the Scottish team and qualify for the British finals!

What does the support mean to you? 

The support that I get from the Athlete Travel Award Scheme has made a huge difference to me. It is enabling me to go down south more often and to take part in a variety of competitions I haven’t previously entered. It has also allowed me to train at a number of different walls to gain more experience. 

This year 11 local athletes are benefiting from the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS). The Scheme is an ongoing partnership between sportscotland and the participating local authorities in Highlands & Islands - Orkney Islands, Western Isles, Shetland Islands and Highlands Councils.

Orkney Islands Council is extremely grateful to also have a partnership with Stagecoach which allows us to enhance and extend our programme in Orkney.