Antrim Borough Council – Elite Athlete Support Scheme– Guidance Notes

Antrim Borough Council

Elite Athlete Support

Scheme

Guidance Notes

Please read these Guidance Notes carefully beforecompleting the application form

Completed forms should be returned to:

Sport and Physical Activity Development Manager

Antrim Borough Council

Antrim Civic Centre

50 Stiles way

Antrim

BT41 2UB

Closing date for applications: Monday 31 March 2014, 12noon

Elite Athlete Support Scheme

Antrim Borough Council’s Elite Athlete Support Scheme is an incentive to help support local athletes who are at a minimum of regional level in their chosen sport. Council recognises the dedication and achievement of such sportspeople and wants to offer practical support.

This could take the form of one of the following options:

  • 50% reduction in Antrim Forum spa and fitness membership(min age 16)and 50% reduction in Antrim Forum facility costs*(see note 3)or,
  • Support through Antrim Sports Advisory Association* (see note 4)

1AIM

The aim of this Scheme is to give recognition to sports people from Antrim Borough that have attained International level, County level for GAA, or are National Champions in their chosen sport. Successful applicants will (subject to meeting minimum designated criteria), be admitted to the Elite Athlete Support Scheme and will be permitted to use on an individual basis specified facilities owned and managed by Antrim Borough Council on a complimentary basis. This is in recognition of their achievements and to support the requirement for a high level of physical preparation in the chosen sport.

2ELIGIBILITY

In order to qualify applicants will need to meet the required eligibility criteria. Applicants must:

  • Be born, have lived or currently live within the Antrim Borough or
  • Be a an active member of a Sports Club*(see note 5) within Antrim Borough
  • Be involved in a sport that is recognised by Sport Northern Ireland, (see appendix I for a comprehensive list, which may be updated from time to time)
  • Be able to demonstrate that they:
  • Are a current member of a County, Inter Provincial, National or International Squad

Or

  • Currently represent Northern Ireland/Ireland/Ulster/Great Britain in any age category of their sport.

Or

  • Are ranked within the top 10 (Senior Level) in Northern Ireland in the specified sport

Or

  • Are competing at International Level in their sport.
  • Membership will be reviewed by Antrim Borough Council on an annual basis or where deemed appropriate. Applicants must have represented their country within the preceding 12 months.
  • Proof of representation must be provided by a Governing Body representative confirming the eligibility of the applicant.

3EQUALITY

Antrim Borough Council will at all times endeavour to promote equality of opportunity between

  • People of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation
  • Men and women generally
  • People with a disability and those without
  • Peoplewith dependents and those without

Council will also endeavour at all times to promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

4RULES AND AMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

  1. Application forms are available from and should be returned to Sport and Physical Activity Development Manager, Antrim Borough Council, 50 Stiles Way, Antrim, BT41 2UBT. 02894463113.
  1. Applications will only be assessed if there is evidence that they fulfil a clearly defined need.
  1. Only complete and legible official application forms will be processed.
  1. Application forms should be returned with accompanying relevant documentation.
  1. All applications will be considered by Antrim Borough Council which is responsible for assessing and administering thescheme using the criteria provided thus deciding if an athlete is eligible for theElite Athlete Support Scheme.
  1. Once the application has been considered and approved by Council the applicant will be notified within 10 working days.
  1. Cardholders will be reviewed on an individual basis annually or where deemed appropriate, by Antrim Borough Council Officers.

5HOW TO APPLY

  1. Before completing an application form please ensure that you are eligible to apply and have read this guide.
  1. Please ensure that you have completed the application form in full and remember to enclose information as indicated in the checklist at the back of the application form.
  1. The application form should be returned by Monday 31 March 2014, 12noon to:

Sport and Physical Activity Development Manager

Antrim Borough Council

50 Stiles Way

Antrim

BT41 2UB

Notes

1.Council may defer applications if further information is required.

2.Council will not consider a claim that your application was lost or delayed in the post, unless you have proof of posting.

3.Athletes who apply for facility usage will receive up to 50% value of current gym membership, terms and conditions of bookings will apply

4Individualsmay apply for financial assistance through the Antrim Sports Advisory Association a) Grant aid assistance* or b) Enkalon Foundation/Antrim Borough CouncilYouth Sports bursary*. Athletes successful in achieving reduced Forum Membership through the Elite Athlete Support Scheme would have any Antrim Sports Advisory Association Award reduced accordingly.

  1. Athletes who are not a resident in the Antrim Borough but are a member of a Sports club must demonstrate that they are an active member within their club (reference may be requested).
  2. Successful Applicants to the Scheme are required to attend a photo call with the Mayor prior to taking up the offer of support.

* Separate criteria apply

Appendix I

Recognised Sports Activities by Sport Northern Ireland

Aikido
American football
Angling
Aquathlon
Archery
Arm wrestling
Artistic skating (roller)
Association football
Athletics
Australian rules football
BadmintonBallooning
Ballroom dancing
Basketball
Baseball/softball
Baton twirling
Biathlon
Bicycle polo
Billiards
BMX
Bobsleigh
Boccia
Bowls
Boxing
Camogie
Canoeing
Caving
Chinese martial arts
Clay pigeon shooting
Cricket
Croquet
Curling
Cycling
Dance sport
Darts
Disability sport
Diving
Dodgeball
Dragon boat racing
Duathlon
Equestrian
Exercise and fitness
Fencing
Field Hockey
Fives
Floorball
Folk dancing
Futsal
Gaelic football / Gliding
Golf
Gymnastics
Handball
Hang gliding and paragliding
Health and beauty exercise
Highland games
Horse Riding
Hovering
Hurling No recognised governing body in England
Ice hockey
Ice skating
Jet skiing
Judo
Ju Jitsu
Kabaddi
KarateKeep fit
Kendo
Kneeboarding
Korfball
Lacrosse
Land-sailing/yachting
Lawn tennis
Life saving
Luge
Model aircraft flying
Modern pentathlon
Motor cycling
Motor sports
Motor cruising
Mountain biking
Mountaineering
Movement and dance
Netball
Octopush
Orienteering
Parachuting
Petanque
Polo
Polocrosse
Pool
Powerboating
Powerlifting
Puck hockey (roller)
Quoits
Rafting / Rackets
Racketball
Rambling
Real tennis
Roller sports
Rounders
Rowing
Rugby league
Rugby union
Sailing and yachting
Sand and land yachting
Shinty
Shooting
Show jumping
Skateboarding
Skater hockey (roller)
Skiing
Skipping
Snooker
Snowboarding
Softball
Sombo
Speedway
Speed skating (roller)
Squash
Stoolball
Sub aqua
Surf life saving
Surfing
Swimming and diving
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tang Soo Do
Tenpin bowling
Trampolining
Triathlon
Tug of war
Ulimate (frisbee)
Volleyball
Wakeboarding
Water polo
Water skiing
Weightlifting
Windsurfing
Wrestling
Yoga