NLIS 1
November 21, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Minister announces initiation of Athlete Assistance Program

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (Acting), announced today that applications are now available for the provincial Athlete Assistance Program. The program, designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying amateur athletes who are training to represent the province at national and international competitions, Canada Games, or those who have been identified as potential national team members will dispense $40,000 funding annually.

"Government recognizes the need for providing resources to help our amateur athletes further develop their skills and increase their opportunities to excel," said Minister Kelly. "Over the years, Newfoundland and Labrador has produced many national and international calibre athletes. I fully realize the tremendous personal sacrifices that these athletes make in their pursuit of athletic excellence and this funding will assist them in offsetting some of the costs associated with travelling, training and competing."

Applications for the Athlete Assistance Program are now available from provincial sport organizations, the Physical Education Department Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Sir Wilfred Grenfell Campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Grants will range from $500 to $1,500 and are subject to recommendations by provincial sport organizations, budget allocations and the quality and number of candidates. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has established several guidelines and criteria for the selection process and reserves the right to make the final selection.

Applicants must submit applications to their respective provincial sport organization on or before December 8, 2000. Further information on the Athlete Assistance Program can be obtained by calling the Recreation and Sport Division, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation at (709) 729-2779.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928 .

 Backgrounder

Athletes must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the Athlete Assistance Program:

• Athletes must be residents of Newfoundland and Labrador;

• Athletes must be registered members of a Provincial Sport Organization recognized by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation;

• Athletes who are national team members or have national team potential. Athletes training for Canada Games or provincial teams may also be considered;

• If eligible, athletes must have competed, and continue to compete for Newfoundland and Labrador at Canada Games, national and Atlantic competitions;

• Athletes must be currently training, and continue to train in Newfoundland and Labrador. Exceptions will be made providing the athlete can substantiate in writing that:

  • he/she cannot receive the required level of training in Newfoundland and Labrador. This could be due to lack of facilities, coaching, competition, etc.

  • he/she must attend a post-secondary institution out-of-province because the course of study is not available in Newfoundland and Labrador

  • it is more financially feasible to attend a post-secondary institution out-of-province.

• Athletes carded by the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program are NOT eligible; and

• Athletes must be attending an educational institution on a full-time basis in 2000/01. Exceptions will be made providing the athlete can substantiate in writing that his/her training program will not allow him/her to attend school full-time. Athletes who have completed their area of study who continue to train for national and international events will also receive consideration.

2000 11 21 10:35 a.m.