Harlem Bean-Fox and Arima Turner have expressed their appreciation to Warwick Parish Council for awarding them $5,000 bursaries each.

The two young athletes were presented with their cheques by JMaire Symonds, the Warwick Parish Council educational committee member last week. The funding will allow them to pursue academic and sports careers abroad.

Bean-Fox, who is developing his football while pursuing studies at Future Pro Academy in England, stated that the funds will come in handy as he chases his goal of becoming a professional footballer.

At the beginning of last year, the parish gave the PHC and Bermuda Under-20 forward $4,000 to enable him to enhance his athletic and academic prowess at Brooke House College Football Academy in England.

“I am extremely grateful to the Warwick Parish Council for awarding me $5,000 to help further my journey and pursue my dream of becoming a professional football player,” the 18-year-old said.

“Having been a part of the Warwick community my entire life, it means a lot to know that my community believes in me, sees my potential and is willing to invest in my future.

“I am currently playing and developing at Future Pro Academy. I have already had the opportunity to attend trials with clubs such as Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City, with more opportunities to come.

“This award will go a long way in helping me continue to develop, travel for opportunities and take the next steps towards achieving my goal.

“Thank you again to the Warwick Parish Council for your support and belief in me. I truly appreciate it and look forward to making my community proud.”

Having been a member of the Warwick community her whole life, Tasha Bean, the young footballer’s mother, expressed the same sentiments as her son.

“As a mother, I have always seen the potential in my son and have done everything I can to encourage and support him as he works towards achieving his dream of becoming a professional football player,” she said.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful to the Warwick Parish Council for recognising that same potential in Harlem and for providing this generous financial support towards his journey.

“As a parent, it means so much to know that others believe in your child’s dreams and are willing to invest in helping make those dreams a reality.

“We are truly thankful for the support, encouragement and belief the Warwick Parish Council has shown Harlem. It means more to our family than words can express.”

Turner, a 100 and 200 metres runner, is heading to Cornell University this month. The 18-year-old, who represented Bermuda at the Carifta Games in Grenada early this year, committed to the New York-based university last October when she was in the process of finishing her high school at Montverde Academy in Florida.

“I’m very grateful to receive the Warwick Parish Scholarship and I am looking forward to beginning my new journey at Cornell,” Turner said.