A bespoke, more flexible selection process is in place for this year’s Islands Athlete Travel Award Scheme, with continued uncertainty over the sporting calendar for the remainder of 2021 and 2022
The scheme aims to support athletes from Shetland by helping with travel costs, improving their access to competitions and development opportunities only available on the mainland. Candidates in Shetland can apply for sums up to £1,500. The amount received will be based on the applicant’s competition and training schedule as well as their awareness of where they are on their sports performance pathway.
The scheme will be open to applications from today - Tuesday 27th July. Due to the uncertainty posed by COVID-19, and athletes potentially not knowing what their year ahead looks like, there is the potential for a second round of applications later in the year. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence as to how the grant will improve their performance, provide them access to quality training opportunities and improve their sports or club environment.
Jack Clubb, Sports Development Officer for Shetland Islands Council: “We are delighted to be in a position to offer the scheme to local athletes to help them return to competition off island. In discussions with partners, we have taken into account current circumstances and adapted the scheme to allow athletes more flexibility when applying. It has been great to see how sports and athletes in Shetland have adapted over the past year and we hope to see local athletes continuing to be successful at home and off island in the coming months and years.”
Stewart Harris is Chief Executive of sportscotland: “This has been an incredibly challenging period for Scottish sport but athletes and coaches have shown a real resilience and commitment in finding ways to continue their training during the pandemic. We recognise the specific challenges faced by athletes within the Highlands and Islands, especially at this time, so it’s important to be flexible in how we provide support. By working in partnership with Councils and leisure trusts in the region we are able to deliver services to local athletes with support from the sportscotland Institute of Sport through the performance development programme, as well as providing additional support through the athlete travel award scheme to allow talented athletes to travel to competitions and progress in their chosen sport.”
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 17th August 2021 – details can be found here