Talented athletes from all over Highland came together on Friday 28th April to attend the launch of this year’s Athlete Travel Award Scheme.
The event, organised by HLH, marks the start of a year’s funding and support, for 17 athletes at regional, national, and international level, from 12 different sports ranging from athletics to motor sport car racing.
The scheme, which was set up in 2020 and is funded by sportscotland and administered through High Life Highland is designed to help performance level athletes to train and compete outwith the Highlands. The scheme will support athletes where often they face considerable barriers of costs associated with travelling to other locations around the country.
In attendance at the launch event was Kate Forbes, MSP, Drew Hendry MP and Vice Convener, Highland Councillor Ken Gowans.
Following the event, Kate Forbes, MSP for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency said, “I was hugely impressed by the young athletes I met. They personify determination and drive. We are exceptionally proud of their achievements in the Highlands.
“I hope to see many more young athletes follow in their footsteps, performing at the highest possible level nationally and internationally.”
Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch, and Strathspey said, “I’m delighted that the Athlete Travel Award Scheme is running again this year, to support our future sports stars here in the Highlands. Athletes here should have every opportunity to achieve their goals and ambitions, and this scheme will help them do exactly that.
“It was fantastic to be at the launch on Friday, and I very much look forward to seeing the positive impact that this scheme will have. These athletes are brilliant role models for young people across the Highlands, and it’s great to see them being supported through the work of High Life Highland and Sportscotland.
“I very much look forward to following their successes and wish them every luck in their upcoming competitions.”
Vice Convener of the Council, Councillor Ken Gowans said, “I was pleased to attend the launch of this important funding scheme that will see young athletes financially supported with their travel costs around the country. These future sports performers were inspirational and considering the successes they have already achieved; they are excellent role models to other young people across the Highlands.”
Appropriately, the launch event was held at Canal Parks, Inverness – one of Highland’s premier sporting locations – to celebrate the successful athletes who have been awarded support from the scheme this year.
In further support to the Highland’s rising sports stars, and on the basis that High Life Highland manages the fund, the charity has also awarded all scheme athletes free highlife membership.
