Island earns 'unique status' for local athletes support scheme

Dual initiative aids youngsters with studies as well as sporting ambitions

The Isle of Man has become the only jurisdiction in the British Isles to earn a unique status in the support it offers to high performance athletes in full-time education.

It's been confirmed the entire Island education system - all secondary schools and University College Isle of Man (UCM) - have successfully applied to Sport England's Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

As a result, the dual career accreditation scheme will see the Isle of Man assist young people in gaining their qualifications alongside their sporting and personal development.

Education, Sport & Culture Minister Daphne Caine is describing the initiative as 'potentially transformative' and will mean ' the next generation's sporting successes will not come at the expense of their education.'

Going forward the Island schools and UCM will join a network of educational establishments across the UK delivering certain key services including physiotherapy, nutrition and lifestyle support.

Earlier in 2024, it was confirmed all six educational institutions here were being supported with their applications to TASS by Isle of Man Sport and the Department of Education, Sport & Culture.

The process has been overseen by co-ordinator Nikki Arthur who has also been running a pilot performance programme which has been aiding 33 local athletes with mentoring, facility access and performances services around their studies.