© International Island Games Association
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 25 September 2003 NEW LOOK FOR NATWEST ISLAND GAMES SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME The International Island Games Association has announced a new look for its sports development programme under which NatWest provides around £10,000 a year as part of its ongoing commitment to sport at grass roots level in the member islands. Association chairman Bo Frykenstam explained: “The NatWest programme has been extended to include travel assistance as well as coaching initiatives. However, the main change is that grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis rather than stipulating a yearly deadline when they are all dealt with at the same time. “This means that a submission can be made when circumstances dictate, rather than the island in question having to wait for the annual date to come round. The obvious advantage is that each application can be treated on its merits as soon as it comes in and, if approved, funds released once they become available. Many young sports men and women have already benefited from the scheme and the re-vamp means money can be allocated even quicker than before.” The NatWest Sports Development Programme has been in existence since 1998 and has already resulted in over £60,000 being distributed with the overall aim of providing long term benefits for the specific sport and island being helped. For instance, last year grants went to Alderney, Gibraltar, Gotland, Guernsey, Prince Edward Island, Rhodes and Shetland. Sports benefiting included athletics, football, swimming, volleyball, badminton and cycling. NatWest’s commitment to the improvement of sporting and coaching skills is in addition to their sponsorship of the last three games in Gotland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey - all of which bore the bank’s name. Its involvement also extends to the 2005 gathering in Shetland. In future grants will be available in the areas of coaching and sports and technical officer development while travel assistance will also be available. The latter category enables sports associations and individuals to travel outside their own island for recognised competition. Said Mr Frykenstam: “The total fund will be distributed as fairly as possible and we ask each island to prioritise their applications as, generally, only £2,000 will be allocated to an island in any one year. We remain indebted to NatWest whose interest in the concept of the Games has already resulted in a major improvement, both in standards of coaching and performance.” ENDS
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