Tourism, Culture and Recreation
January 29, 2014
Sport Opportunities Contribute to Strong Communities
Minister Announces Athletic Excellence Fund
The Provincial Government, in partnership with Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, has developed the Athletic Excellence Fund – a streamlined program that combines all current provincial sport funding opportunities available to athletes, coaches and officials.
“Elite athletes from Newfoundland and Labrador continue to achieve
success on regional, provincial, national and international levels, and we
want to assure them that our government is committed to supporting their
dedication and passion for sport. The Athletic Excellence Fund is a means of
streamlining the funding application process and will help ensure that
athletes are availing of all existing funding opportunities. We want these
young men and women, and all future athletes, to have the best opportunity
to access the support they need as they strive to accomplish their athletic
goals.”
- The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation
The Athletic Excellence Fund encompasses the Premier’s Athletic Awards, Team Gushue Awards, Elite Athlete Assistance Program and Sport NL Scholarships in one application.
Information about each program can be found in the backgrounder below.
Applicants must be a current member in good standing with their respective Provincial Sport Organization. Athletes can apply for funding through more than one program, but are only required to complete and submit one application. Approved applicants may receive funding from more than one of the four programs; however, athletes will only receive a Premier’s Athletic Award or Elite Athlete Assistance, not both.
Completed applications are to be forwarded to the applicable Provincial Sport Organization on or before February 28, 2014. For more information and an application, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/sports/index.html
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Sport Funding Programs Supported by the Provincial Government
Premier’s Athletic Awards
The Premier’s Athletic Awards is a program designed to recognize athletic
excellence of the province’s athletes. Financial support is provided to
selected athletes to help with costs incurred through training and
competition. Athletes must be currently training and competing in the sport
indicated with the intention to continue training upon receipt of their
award.
Team Gushue Award
Presented annually during the Premier’s Athletic Awards reception, the
Team Gushue Award recognizes academic and athletic excellence. The award was
established in 2007 in recognition of Team Gushue’s gold medal victory at
the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. The award is presented to one male and one
female athlete currently attending or planning to attend a recognized
post-secondary institution and who have competed in a national or
international level sporting competition in their last competitive season.
Elite Athlete Assistance Program
The Elite Athlete Assistance Program provides support to high performance
provincial athletes that have been selected for a national team. Financial
support is provided to select athletes to support the costs incurred through
training and competition and must be used for this purpose only.
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Athlete Scholarships
Funded by Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, the purpose of this program is
to provide financial assistance to qualifying amateur athletes, coaches and
or officials to help offset the costs of training and competition.
2014 01 29 11:10 a.m.