17 sports will benefit from funding totalling just under £60,000 in the first round of Travel Grant allocations for this year, supporting around 2,000 trips.
The States of Jersey set aside £125,000 for 2018 to support island athletes, teams and coaches with their travel, to compete or train.
Jersey Sport took over the management of the fund earlier this year, introducing a new online bidding process and refreshed guidelines on the types of activities that will be supported by the scheme.
“We have been impressed by the way the associations and clubs have embraced the new criteria,” said Steve Law, chairman of the Travel Grants Advisory Committee for Jersey Sport. “It has required more detailed applications with data not previously requested, but it’s important that the fund is used more strategically to assist all sports in the long term. Our responsibility in managing grants from the public purse is also to ensure the correct governance is in place.
“We received applications to a value of over double the total available fund with still another round of applications to come so obviously not all applications can be granted in full. Most sports will receive similar amounts to last year but there have been some tough decisions resulting in a shortfall for some. We will be working hard to seek additional funds in the future.”
The next round of applications opens at the start of June and sports leaders are encouraged to download the application forms and guidance notes from the Jersey Sport website.
Meanwhile, the Travel Grants Advisory Committee is currently looking for a new committee member. Details of how to apply for this voluntary position are on www.jerseysport.je/jobs