Athletic Opportunities Abound for Labrador Athletes

Through support of $730,000, the Provincial Government will assist approximately 1,500 athletes, teams and individuals in Labrador with travel to the island portion of the province to participate in athletic competitions and training camps. The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, released the details of the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program today at an event in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
 
“The $730,000 we have allocated for the Labrador Travel Subsidy will help ensure that geography does not impede participation by our fine Labrador athletes, and they can pursue excellence in their athletic endeavours,” said Minister French. “When we announced our sport and recreation strategy in 2007, we cited two of its key pillars as enhancing athletic excellence and broadening access for athletes.  This travel subsidy helps ensure these goals are being met.”
 
The Labrador Travel Subsidy Program was introduced to increase opportunities for equal participation and competition. Athletes are able to gain support for attendance to provincial sport camps and training programs, while eligible sport teams can take advantage of funding to offset the cost of air travel.
 
“The costs of travel between Labrador and the island portion of the province are high and this subsidy helps to lower these costs for Labrador athletes, coaches and officials making it easier for them to travel to the island for competitions, and training programs,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “Attending provincial sporting events hosted in Labrador also presents high travel costs for participating athletes and teams who travel to Labrador from the island and I am pleased that this program helps to offset those costs as well.”
 
A hosting grant for provincial championships within Labrador to help with the cost of teams coming from the island to Labrador to compete in provincial competitions is also included as part of the travel program.  Additionally, a 75 per cent travel subsidy is also available for coaches and officials who are looking for the opportunity to attend recognized sport coaching development programs.
 
"It is important that sport and recreation opportunities be available to everyone throughout our province," said Keith Russell, MHA for Lake Melville. "This funding opportunity will certainly help athletes, coaches and officials all over Labrador have access to sporting opportunities, regardless of where they are being held in the province."
 
Budget 2013 allocated approximately $8.3 million for ongoing support for recreation and sport in the province. Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy Active, Healthy, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, approximately $172 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province, including investments in arenas and other athletic facilities.
 
For more information about the Labrador Travel Subsidy, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/sports/index.html.

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2013 06 04             11:30 a.m.