welve athletes from Newfoundland and Labrador will receive funding from the Elite Athlete Assistance program for 2018.
The program recognizes athletic excellence and provides financial support to help offset costs incurred through training and competition for high performance athletes from Newfoundland and Labrador.
In order to qualify, athletes must have represented Canada at a world and/or international event in a sport that is funded by Sport Canada. For the full list of athletes receiving funding in 2018, please see the backgrounder below.
The Elite Athlete Assistance program allocates $45,000 annually through the Athletic Excellence Fund. Other components of the fund include the Premier’s Athletic Awards, the Team Gushue Awards, and the Sport NL Scholarships. Overall, Budget 2018 committed $145,000 for the Athletic Excellence Fund.
The Elite Athlete Assistance Program delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca .
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“Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s Elite Athlete Assistance grants. These 12 athletes have earned great respect for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports, and we are pleased to provide support so that they can continue to excel at national and international levels. Our government is committed to increasing physical activity through The Way Forward, and these athletes provide great inspiration for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
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Learn more
Athletic Excellence Fund – – www.cssd.gov.nl.ca/recreation/financial_assistance/athletic_excellence_fund.html
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL
Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Recipients of 2018 Elite Athlete Assistance grants
| Name | Hometown | Sport |
| Robyn Andrews | St. John’s | Para-Equestrian |
| Danielle Arbour | Goulds | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Nathaniel Besso | St. John’s | Karate |
| Shane Boland | Goulds | Softball |
| Max Burt | Gander | Volleyball |
| Erin Daly | St. John’s | Ultimate Frisbee |
| Jillian Forsey | Kippens | Athletics |
| Heather Healey | Paradise | Baseball |
| Liam Hickey | St. John’s | Para-Ice Hockey |
| Michael Mercer | St. John’s | Boccia |
| Katarina Roxon | Stephenville | Swimming |
| Colin Walsh | Maddox Cove | Softball |