NatWest Island Games Coaching
Scheme grants announced

THE NATWEST Island Games Coaching Scheme grants have been awarded for 2002.

Islands receiving grants this year are Aland (for gymnastics £1,000 and volleyball £1,000), Alderney (athletics £500), Froya (football £1,000 and swimming £1,000), Gibraltar (all sports £2,000), Gotland (spread amongst eight different sports £2,000), Guernsey (volleyball £600), Prince Edward Island (swimming £800 and cycling £1,000), Rhodes (badminton £2,000), and Shetland (badminton £1,750).

The money is provided by NatWest as part of the bank's ongoing commitment to the NatWest Island Games.

As well as being the main sponsor to the International Island Games Association, the bank also contributes an annual sum to help improve sporting skills at grass roots level in the islands.

Chairman of the International Island Games Association (IGA), Bo Frykenstam said, 
'The NatWest Island Games Coaching Scheme is an important part of the sponsorship agreement between the bank and the IGA. Since 1998 it has provided nearly £50,000 for the development of sport in the islands. 

'As a result of the awards this year, many young athletes will again be able to benefit from a variety of physical, psychological and nutritional programmes.'

James Johnston, IGA executive member responsible for awarding the grants said, 'The majority of applications have been of a very high standard. We have therefore tried to award grants to islands and sports that have not been supported before, but above all, to coaching programmes that are well presented and of a high quality. 

For further information, contact James Johnson, IGA executive committee, tel: 01595 741000,