Eight local athletes set to receive travel funding

SIX swimmers and two runners from Shetland will receive funding from from the Islands Athlete Travel Scheme, which was launched in February.

The swimmers – Adam Millar, Jasmin Smith, Katie Bain, Kayla Manson, Lauren Sandison and Mark Hutcheon – and runners Katie Bristow and Seumas Mackay will receive up to £1,500 each towards the cost of attending sports training and competition on the Scottish mainland. They are among up to 24 athletes from Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles who will be helped by the scheme that runs initially for three years.

Sportscotland has provided £10,000 towards the scheme’s cost while the islands councils will provide £2,000 each plus £3,000 worth of management and administrative time.

Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee chairman George Smith said: “I’m pleased to see these talented swimmers and athletes from Shetland awarded this funding, which will go some way towards their significant costs.

“I hope this financial support will allow them to reach even higher levels of achievement as they represent Shetland at sporting competitions in Scotland.”

Local applications were considered by a panel from Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Recreational Trust and sportscotland. The applications were scored in several different areas, including an assessment of their personal statements and short and long term goals.

The athlete travel scheme has an annual budget of £12,000 and eligible applicants can receive up to 100 per cent funding of a maximum of £1,500 in a single financial year.