NLIS 2
October 31, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
 

Applications available for Athlete Assistance Program

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that applications are now available for the provincial Athlete Assistance Program. The program is 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.

Last year, the 2001-2002 Athlete Assistance Program provided 56 athletes with assistance totalling $43,000. Nine athletes received $1,500 grants, 13 received $1,000 grants and 34 received $500 grants. In total, approximately 170 athletes applied to the program. In addition, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation provided 25 different provincial sport organizations with assistance.

"This assistance is very beneficial to our athletes," said Minister Bettney. "The Athlete Assistance Program helps offset some of the costs associated with travelling, training and competing. Our amateur athletes often need help to further develop their skills and to pursue their athletic excellence and this program is an excellent resource for them."

Applications for the Athlete Assistance Program are now available from provincial sport organizations, the Physical Education Department at 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 or the department�s web site www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/athlete.

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 November 29, 2002. 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: Melony O�Neill, 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;
  • Athletes must be attending an educational institution on a full-time basis in 2001/02. 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; and,
  • Athletes attending an educational institution on a full-time basis in 2001/02 and are receiving a full athletic scholarship either in Canada or United States are not eligible for assistance.

2002 10 31                                       1:25 p.m.


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