Jersey Sport has been commissioned by the Government of Jersey to deliver a Performance Sport Programme in response to the ‘Enabling Athletes to Thrive’ Strategy, which was published in November 2023. The Performance Sport Programme has an annual budget of £120,000.
The Performance Sport programme was piloted in 2024 and reviewed ahead of delivery in 2025 and beyond. During this pilot, the Performance Sport programme supported a targeted and focused pool of talented athletes who are currently performing at or have the potential to perform at the highest level in their respective sport.
See details of all 23 athletes supported by the 2024 Performance Sport Programme here: Performance Sport Programme 2024 • Jersey Sport
Jersey Sport are committed to establishing and delivering a high-performance programme that inspires, supports and develops local sport organisations to produce and equip talented athletes, coaches and officials with the attributes and resources to pursue careers in professional or elite sport to international and world levels. The pilot Performance Sport programme was designed in collaboration with industry experts, local sport organisations and other key stakeholders who have a passion, experience and knowledge of performance sport.
To be eligible for consideration, athletes must qualify in any, or all, of the following categories
1) Podium (Elite)
Athlete who has won titles/medals/represented his/her country at a senior level in a major international sporting competition (eg. Olympic Games/World Championships) including athletes participating in professional teams/non-Olympic sports. Athlete possesses a strong medal potential in international competition, in the near future (<4 years).
2) Podium Potential
Developing athletes who demonstrate the potential to deliver international success/medal winning performances on the world stage at senior competition level in the future (<8yrs).
3) Talent (Development)
Athletes who have demonstrated they have the potential to perform at a world class level and have been selected in National Age Group Squads/Regional Squads and/or by their national governing bodies to the England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales Talent Pathways.
To ensure the available funding is used for maximum benefit to athletes and administration costs are minimised, Jersey Sport established and works in partnership with a Performance Sport Programme Working Group. Jersey Sport support the coordination and administration of this initiative by facilitating marketing resource, website development, grant administration, stakeholder liaison and ongoing working group support.
The working group continue to contribute to the programme design – including eligibility criteria, application process, resource requirements and support/service provision. They also work in partnership with Jersey Sport to design a longer-term, holistic programme for athletes, coaches and officials which will consider other elements of the Government of Jersey strategy, including more detailed success and feedback measures within the parameters of the Performance Sport programme funding and remit.
During its pilot year, key objectives of the Performance Sport Programme in 2024 were to:
During the pilot year, given the required timing and desire to maximise impact, the Performance Sport programme was largely a grant-based scheme, whilst delivering multi-disciplinary support services through sector specialists.
Funding was directed at individual athletes. Team sport athletes will be in scope, but the Performance Sport programme will not support whole teams at this stage. Whilst the pilot programme initially focused on supporting athletes rather than coaches or officials, there is a desire and need to expand this remit in the near future.
Whilst the Performance Sport Programme is largely grant based, there is consideration to the support services needed for athletes, coaches and officials to maximise their potential. Through partners and industry practitioners, Jersey Sport are pleased to offer a multi-disciplinary support package that will form the service provision of the Performance Sport Programme. The can include, but is not limited to:
Jersey Sport recruited a Performance Sport Programme Working Group who bring valuable knowledge and diverse experience to continued delivery and review of the programme. All individuals have experience of designing and delivering performance sport structures and/or a passion, experience and knowledge of performance sport environments as an athlete, coach or official.
The Performance Sport Programme Working Group include Alex Mollin (Golf), Jo Cabot (Martial Arts), Nathan Jegou (Aquatic Sports), Scott Van Breda (Rugby), Serena Kersten (Netball) and Zara Asante (Athletics).
READ THE PERFORMANCE SPORT WORKING GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE