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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.

 
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