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Jersey Sport to support 23 talented athletes through 2024 Performance Sport Programme
Jersey Sport is delighted to announce that 23 talented local athletes from 11 sports will be supported through the inaugural Performance Sport Programme.
The Government of Jersey commissioned Jersey Sport to set athlete performance requirements and distribute a total of £103,500 in grant funding for a 2024 pilot programme, which was developed following the publication of the government’s ‘Enabling Athletes to Thrive’ strategy in November 2023.
A total of 44 applications were reviewed against criterion developed by Jersey Sport’s volunteer ‘Performance Sport Working Party’, which consisted of prominent local sporting figures from a cross-section of the sporting landscape.
Alex Mollin (Golf), Jo Cabot (Martial Arts), Nathan Jegou (Aquatic Sports), Scott Van Breda (Rugby), Serena Kersten (Netball) and Zara Asante (Athletics) all generously dedicated their time to attend meetings, develop frameworks and review applications, with their contributions being essential in delivering the programme within the tight timeframes given.
In addition to the £103,500 made available through this grants-based programme, support services such as nutritional coaching and media training, can be accessed by all supported athletes.
Jersey Sport are also excited to confirm their intention to deliver an additional round of funding for 2025. This sum, again expected to be in excess of £100,000, will be targeted at talented athletes who are aspiring, and have the potential, to reach the upper level of their sporting pathways.
Elliot Powell, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at Jersey Sport, said: “Jersey Sport are delighted to be able to support these athletes through both meaningful amounts of funding and access to our centralised support services. We would like to thank our volunteers on our Performance Sport Working Party for their invaluable input throughout this pilot programme. Their knowledge, insight and counsel enabled us to rigorously review all applications in a diligent and efficient manner, ultimately allowing us to support these athletes in a timely manner.
“We now look forward to supporting these athletes over the course of the year and have immediately begun to develop plans to widen the programme’s reach in 2025.”
Constable Andy Jehan, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Economic Development with responsibility for sport, said: “If we are to achieve our aim of seeing more Islanders reach the top of their chosen sport, we need to invest in our athletes and reduce the barriers they currently face.
“This pilot programme gives us an opportunity to see what works, and how we can continue to improve Jersey’s reputation as a successful breeding ground for sporting talent.
“I must thank Jersey Sport and the volunteer working party for devising the criteria and implementing the programme. I look forward to hearing how the selected athletes progress over the coming year and wish them well.”
[ENDS]