Q - Can anyone apply for help?
A - All nominations for support must be sent by the governing body of your sport – for example, Isle of Man Cycling Association. All applicants must have an established Isle of Man residential address and be willing to represent the Isle of Man.
Q - What is the criteria for support?
A - The typical criteria are:
Ranked top 10 junior or senior in Great Britain
Great Britain international – junior or senior
Potential to reach the above or professional/full-time status
Member of a UK World Class programme
All cases are assessed on their own individual merits. Other factors that may be taken into account are:
- Amount of off-island experience
- Time in the sport
- Number of competitors in the sport/event
- Ability to move up to “the next level”
The Isle of Man has several competitors who have reached World Class levels of performance. As such, the bar is being raised all the time in terms of what is expected of a supported athlete.
Q - How are we funded?
A - Funding comes through a number of sources. Our main sponsor is the Isle of Man Government who, through the Isle of Man Sports Council, provides an annual grant. We also have a number of companies who provide financial support – see sponsors page - and host an annual Golf Day which is also a valuable fund raiser.
Q - What do we do?
A - We select, in conjunction with the relevant sporting governing bodies, a number of athletes to support each year. We provide financial support and/or sports institute services to those athletes during the year. See the Isle of Man Institute of Sport page for more information.
Q - Do you support professional sportsmen?
A - It is our hope that some of those we support will eventually reach professional status in their sport. Their success reflects on themselves, Manx Sports Aid and the Isle of Man. Once they have reached that level, we do not provide direct financial support to them. However, we do grant “Associate Membership” of our Institute which means they are able to utilise some of the available services. In return, we encourage them to pass on their knowledge and experience to others.
Q - How would I become a sponsor?
A - It is our policy to have a small group of sponsors. If you would like to be associated with some of the biggest names in Isle of Man sport, please contact:
Pauline Carr
Secretary Manx Sports Aid Foundation
National Sports Centre
Douglas
IM2 1RB
E-mail Pauline.carr@gov.im
Phone (01624) 688555