The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, encouraged all eligible athletes to submit their application to their provincial sport organization prior to the December 14, 2007 deadline.

"Once again, our government is proud to support athletic talent and excellence through the 2008 Premier's Athletic Awards program," Premier Williams said. "These awards are designed to assist our finest athletes to train, develop, improve and have an opportunity to compete at the national and international level."

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism Culture and Recreation, said the Premier's Athletic Awards program supports the goals of Active, Healthy, Newfoundland and Labrador - A Recreation and Sport Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, which was released in April 2007.

"One important component of the recreation and sport strategy is to provide tangible support, and a nurturing environment, for our present and future elite athletes," Minister Jackman said. "The Premier's Athletic Awards, coupled with the pending opening of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre, are among the investments the Provincial Government is making in ensuring our athletes have the means by which to reach their full potential."

The Premiers Athletic Awards program is open to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who are attending school and are members of a provincial sport organization recognized by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Along with other criteria, athletes must have competed, and will continue to compete, for Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Games or at other national and regional competitions.

Since it was first implemented in 2004, the Premier's Athletic Awards program has provided $250,000 in assistance to approximately 350 athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador. Further information about the program can be obtained through provincial sport organizations or by going to //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/services_programs/premieraa.htm. 

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