Thurso surfing champion among highland athletes receiving major funding from Athlete Travel Award Scheme
Athletes from across the Highlands have been awarded funding to help them cover the cost of travelling to training and competitions for next year.
The Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) is in its eighth year, the fund’s aim is to help ensure talented athletes living in rural and island communities have the same access to training, competition and developmental opportunities as athletes living on the mainland.
Travel and accommodation costs can disadvantage island and rural-based athletes, meaning they may be less likely to compete in certain competitions which would help their journey as an athlete, ATAS funding helps redress that burden without the athletes having to relocate from their communities.
ATAS is funded by sportscotland and the four local councils. Successful athletes can benefit from up to £1500 from the programme to help with travel and accommodation costs when attending training and competitions.
This year 41 athletes have benefitted across 22 sports, sharing a total of £70,868 between them.
Among the athletes to be included to receive funding are Phoebe Strachan from Thurso who was crowned Scottish Surfing Champion for the fifth consecutive year at Thurso East last week.
Inverness based athletes to have benefited from the fund include Iona Scott.
She has made the Scottish Junior Orienteering squad as well as the British Orienteering Talent Squad.
She said: “It’s set to be a huge year for many athletes from island communities with the Orkney 2025 Island Games taking place in July.
“It will provide a unique opportunity for athletes from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to represent their communities at a multi-sport event in Scotland.”
Highland Bears basketball player Grace Alexander from Culloden Academy has been called up to play for Scotland at several age groups during her career.
Inverness mountain bike athlete Olivia Poole, who has competed in competitions across Europe, is also in the list.
Inverness rower Heather Gordon, who won gold with Great Britain at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, is also named on the list.
Also receiving funding is Inverness judo athlete Lucy Daly and Inverness swimmer Matthew McCreadie who has competed at the World Down Syndrome Championships.
Other athletes from the Highlands to receive funding including Ross Gollan from Edderton who has competed for Scotland in international competition in mountain running. He was also crowned North Cross Country League champion this season.
Easter Kinkell teenager Andrew Baird, who now trains with Inverness Harriers, has competed for Scotland in athletics and been successful in several competitions.
Emily Rothney from Carrbridge, who won gold in freestyle snowboarding at the Youth Olympics in Georgia.
Grantown golfer Hannah McCook and Lochaber gymnast Miguel Alexander Reis is also on the list.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “At sportscotland we recognise the difficulties faced by athletes in rural communities in accessing the best possible training and competition. ATAS is a key programme in helping to support athletes with those specific challenges."
“This is an exciting time for sport in our island communities. Orkney 2025 will be a historic occasion and a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at a home multi-sport event.”
High Life Highland’s Head of Sports Development Darren Reid said: “High Life Highland remains committed to supporting our talented athletes, ensuring they have the best possible opportunities to excel in their chosen sports at the highest levels of competition.
“Their achievements continue to bring pride to the region and help to raise the profile of the Highlands on the national and international stage. We extend our best wishes for their continued success.
“The Athlete Travel Award Scheme plays a significant role in enabling this support, and we are sincerely grateful to sportscotland for their valuable contribution."
Highland athletes to receive funding
Ross Gollan - Athletics
Andrew Baird – Athletics
Grace Alexander – Basketball
Olivia Poole – Cycling
Hannah McCook – Golf
Miguel Alexander Reis – Gymnastics
Lucy Daly – Judo
Iona Scott – Orienteering
Heather Gordon – Rowing
Emily Rothney – Snowboarding
Matthew McCreadie - Swimming
Phoebe Strachan – Surfing
