Islands’ athletes to get £1,500 for travel costs

Athletes from across the islands are to receive £1,500 as part of a new funding scheme to support expenses for island competitors.

Eight young men and women will receive the grant.

Swimmers Isla Budge and Matthew Hanlon, athletes Gemma Macritchie and Scott Maciver, basketball player Amie Ringstead, rugby star Rory Mighton and footballers Chloe Nicolson and Matthew Wright will benefit.

The cash awards follow the introduction of Sportscotland’s Island’s Athlete Travel Award Scheme, which aims to help athletes from the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland access competitive and developmental opportunities on the mainland. Councillor Angus McCormack said: “It is excellent to see this innovative scheme up and running and I wish all our young athletes every success in their chosen fields.”