Departments work together to fund Island Games 2013 team travel

James Qualtrough | September 28, 2012 | 0 Comments

An extra £100,000 of funding is being provided to support the Island Games team travelling to Bermuda next year. It will also help fund increased participation in sport in the run-up to the 2015 NatWest Island Games in Jersey.

Additional funding has been approved by the Treasury and Resources Minister, the ESC Minister and the Island Games Association as follows:

• The Minister for Treasury and Resources has approved a 2012 request from the Education, Sport and Culture Department for contingency funding totalling £30,000 associated with the Island Games teams’ travel to Bermuda in 2013
• Reprioritised sports funding over the next three years to provide a £50,000 grant from ESC
• £20,000 from the reserve of the Island Games Association of Jersey

ESC Minister Deputy Patrick Ryan said “It is essential that Jersey sends a strong team to the 2013 Island Games in Bermuda and I’m delighted we have been able to work together to find a way of supporting our local athletes.

“The funding will also enable us to start building a strong foundation for the 2015 Games in Jersey. By raising awareness locally and encouraging more people to be actively involved, we will guarantee it’s a successful event that harnesses all the benefits sport can bring to our community.”

The Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, said “The 2012 Olympics have shown how sport can be instrumental not only in encouraging team sports and personal endeavour, but also in bringing communities together. I want to see a lasting legacy from 2012 and in supporting the Island Games I hope that by helping our athletes travel to Bermuda we will see a similar boost for local sport, community spirit and healthy lifestyles. This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States for 2012.”

Financial assistance for the 2013 Island Games in the form of a travel subsidy is being provided to individuals who will be participating in Bermuda. The Organising Committee for the Jersey games in 2015 is working with the Island Games Association of Jersey, to develop ideas for ways to increase participation, raise standards and involve as many people as possible in the Island Games. The additional funding from Treasury and Resources will support this effort.

Each sport has been asked to develop a plan to increase participation and to put on events to raise the profile of sport and the Island Games. They are also working with culture organisations to put on events in conjunction with the Games.