14 September 2016
The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Connétable Steve Pallett, has announced that extra funding from within the department’s budget will be used to support sports travel grants.
The grants were scheduled to have been heavily cut due to the reduction in growth funding for the ‘Fit for Future’ strategy but, with the support of the Treasury Minister and the Chief Minister, they have now been restored to 2014 levels. In practice, this means that £125,000 will be available to local sports bodies and clubs in 2017, with the expectation that the same level of funding will continue through to 2018 and 2019.
Connétable Pallett announced his plans at a meeting with the Sports Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC is the body empowered by Government to provide advice on the allocation of funding for sports travel grants. The Assistant Minister made it clear to members of the SAC that the continued funding would be contingent on the development of a rigorous and equitable system for the allocation of grants.
Connétable Pallett commented “I am delighted to announce that, with the help of officials in my department, I have been able to find a solution for sports travel grant funding in 2017 and beyond. The ability to travel off-Island and compete is vital to the proper development of our local sporting talent. I am especially pleased to be able to make this announcement now, when local clubs will still have time to factor this news into their decision-making for forthcoming fixtures and competitions.”
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