Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) opens for 2025-26 applications

Performance athletes in Orkney can apply for help towards travelling to training and competitions in 2025-26 with the county’s Athlete Travel Award Scheme open for applications from Monday 3 February. 

Now in its eighth year, the scheme is a targeted partnership between sportscotland and Councils in the Highlands and Islands - Orkney Islands, Western Isles, Shetland Islands and Highland Councils – and is aimed at helping elite pathway sports people in these regions with the extra costs of accessing development opportunities – without having to relocate from their communities. 

In Orkney, the scheme is funded through sportscotland, Orkney Islands Council and Stagecoach. 

Applicants will be able to apply for up to £1500 each, for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. 

Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of Orkney Islands Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee said: "With the Island Games coming to Orkney this summer, it’s an exciting time to be an athlete in the county, especially if you have reached elite levels of competition and performance. We are grateful to sportscotland and Stagecoach for their continued support which gives our athletes every chance to develop to their full potential, whatever the arena.” 

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive, sportscotland, said: “This is an exciting time for sport in Orkney. Orkney 2025 will be a historic occasion and a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at a home multi-sport event. 

“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." 

David Beaton, Managing Director of Stagecoach Highlands, said: “We're thrilled to once again be supporting athletes in Orkney through this scheme. Local communities are at the heart of everything we do at Stagecoach, and it is a great privilege to be able to help these athletes on their journey to elite sporting success. With the Island Games taking place this year in Orkney there are some very exciting opportunities for local athletes to take advantage of." 

Amounts received by athletes are based on a number of criteria including their forecasted competition and training schedule, understanding of the Sports Performance Pathway and national rankings. The application process also requires athletes to evidence how the grant will improve their performance, provide them access to quality training opportunities and improve their sports or club environment. 

For more information on ATAS please visit www.orkney.gov.uk/ATAS and to apply online visit Athlete Travel Award Scheme - MyOrkney