Latest round of ATAS grants announced - travel award is a “massive boost” says athletics competitor

From swimmers to a kickboxer, Olympic weightlifters to a climber – just a few of the 15 Orkney athletes to benefit from the latest round of Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) awards. 

The athletes will receive funding of up to £1,500 to assist with their sporting travel costs between April 2025 and March 2026.  

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. 

The athletes are as follows: 

Alfie Price and Eve Wood – swimming 

Amy Golder - kickboxing 

Angus Robertson and Ross Sinclair – Olympic weightlifting 

Cailynn Williamson and Owen Spence – rugby 

Emily McArthur and Taylah Paterson – athletics 

Finlay Scott – squash  

Hope Henderson – climbing 

Jody Groundwater and Shannon Leslie - badminton 

Sam Squire – volleyball 

Zara Flett – netball 

Emily McArthur is a first-time recipient of the award. She said: “I'm really delighted to be receiving the travel award this year. I had a difficult start to the season, suffering a broken ankle at the indoor competition in Glasgow back in February. The recovery process has been challenging, and is still ongoing, but I've had fantastic support from so many people - particularly my coach, Mags MacRae and physio Karoline MacPhail. 

“It's so important for me now to ensure that I get the most out of the rest of this season and travel is obviously a big part of that. We've identified some of the comps that I'm hoping to travel south for in the coming months. Everyone in Orkney knows what a major expense it is travelling out of the county, so receiving this travel award is a massive boost. It's going to hopefully allow me to take part in more major competitions, outdoors through the summer, then into the indoor season early 2026.  

“As well as the financial element it's just really nice to be recognised by the award. Wherever I'm racing I always feel I'm doing my best to represent Orkney and having that official support behind you is brilliant.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: “So many of our athletes are competing on the national and international stage and that is, in part, thanks to supportive schemes such as ATAS but also the PDP – Performance Development Programme. 

“As we count down to Orkney 2025 – the biggest sporting event ever to be held in our islands – it has never been a more exciting time to be part of the county’s sporting elite. 

“Congratulations to the latest group of athletes on their successful bids." 

For more information on ATAS please visit www.orkney.gov.uk/ATAS 

Photo: Back row – Shaan Corbidge (Stagecoach), Sam Squire (Volleyball), Zara Flett (Netball), Finlay Scott (Squash), Ross Sinclair (Olympic Weightlifting), Angus Robertson (Olympic Weightlifting), Alfie Price (Swimming) and Elaine Harcus (OIC).  

Front row – Eve Wood (Swimming), Emily McArthur (Athletics), Taylah Paterson (Athletics), Jody Groundwater (Badminton), Amy Golder (Kickboxing), Cailynn Williamson (Rugby), Hope Henderson (Climbing) and Owen Spence (Rugby).  

Missing from the photo is Shannon Leslie.