National Athlete Support Agency

1.  Introduction

Recognising the value of local national athletes and the commitment required to reach the highest level in a chosen sport, Angus Council Leisure Services introduced the National Athlete Support Angus scheme (NASA).

This information explains the services which are offered by Angus Council Leisure Services through the National Athlete Support - Angus scheme and the conditions under which they operate. These conditions are correct at time of issue but Angus Council reserves the right to alter any conditions should the need arise without prior notification to NASA scheme members.

National Athlete Support - Angus is an initiative of Angus Council Leisure Services designed to offer locally based assistance and recognition to high level athletes. The aim is to offer practical support to athletes who have achieved a national level in their chosen sport, to recognise their achievements and to provide a useful service to these valued members of the local community.

NASA offers free access to leisure facilities, grant aid, free visits to the sports medicine centre, appropriate training courses and assistance with the preparation of sponsorship portfolios.

NASA is organised and administered by the Development Officers in Leisure Services. It is supported by the elected members of Angus Council and by the Councils Contract Services and Education departments.

The term National Athlete refers to any individual in a squad or team representing Scotland, the United Kingdom or Great Britain in sport at any age group level.

Sports will be as defined and recognised by sportscotland.

Only members of squads and teams which are run under a National Governing Body, or affiliated National Agency, as defined and recognised by sportscotland will be eligible.

Residency within Angus is essential. A postal or contact address will not suffice. In the case of students either the parental or term time address may be used.

The scheme applies only to athletes of amateur status.

Athletes must complete a NASA application form, ‘Routes to Leisure’ form, produce proof of national status, proof of residency and two passport size photographs. This should all be sent to:

Development Officers, Leisure Services, County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar, DD8 3WA. 

Forms are available from the Development Officers or Angus Council Leisure Facilities or by download here

Front - Back  

(PDF format,to download - right click and select "Save Target As..")

Athletes will be issued with a ‘Routes to Leisure’ card. The card will act as evidence of their scheme membership and will be required to be shown in order for the athlete to claim benefits under the scheme. If the card is mislaid or lost this must be reported to the development officers immediately.

All cards will have an expiry date of 1st April. For applications made April to December the expiry date will be 1st April in the following year. For applications made from January to March the expiry date will be the 1st April in the following year.

5.  Complimentary Access to Facilities

Athletes will be given free access to Angus Council leisure facilities operated by Leisure Services, only for sports specific training needs.

Athletes will not be given preference in facility use over the general public and as such will not be able to pre-book facilities under the scheme.

The ‘Routes to Leisure’ card must be carried and shown whenever visiting the leisure centres.

Free entry will only be given to those activity areas identified by the athlete on their initial form and approved by Leisure Services. Free entry will not be given to Health Suites.

Card holders under the age of sixteen will not be allowed to use the Hi Tech Fitness Suites as this is council policy.  Should those under sixteen strongly wish to use this facility they should discuss the matter with Leisure Services Development Officers.

Should an athletes training require specialised equipment set up, then the athlete should discuss requirements with the manager of the facility and reach a reasonable agreement.

Grants are available through the NASA scheme to Athletes who have met the criteria laid down for NASA and also meet the other criteria listed below.

Grants can be given for national/international competition or for recognised national squad training.

Any member of the NASA scheme can apply for grant aid. Should non-members wish to apply they would first have to enrol in the scheme.

The grants can be awarded for travel, attendance fees, tuition and subsistence up to 30% of allowable costs. Grants will not be awarded for personal clothing, equipment, examination fees, entrance fees, car hire, transport of equipment or any other items falling out with the categories indicated.

The maximum grant is £250. The maximum award payable to any one athlete in one financial year is £300. Subject to these restrictions an athlete may apply for several grants in one financial year or may submit one application for multiple events.

Application forms are available from:

Development Officers, Angus Council, Leisure Services, County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar, DD8 3WA. 

or for download here

(PDF format,to download - right click and select "Save Target As..")

Section A of this form must be completed in full and returned at least 14 days before the event or course.

Subject to all criteria being met, notification of provisional award will be made in writing as soon as possible after submission, prior to the course. The final grant given can not exceed the provisional award.

Following the event or course Section B of the form must be fully completed and returned with all supporting receipts, not copies. This section must be received by the date stipulated on the provisional offer or no award will be given.

Angus Council will consider all grants on their own merit using the above as conditions and are under no obligation to offer a grant to any or all applicants. No discussions will be entered into with regard to refusal or size of the grant award.

Conditions of grant may vary.

All applications for other awards, grants or sponsorship must be declared on Section A of the form and these will be considered in determining the award.

All applicants for awards amounting to £75 or more will be required to attend a cheque presentation and photo-call after receipt of Section B

Claims for assistance which relate to less than £30 expenditure will not be considered.

Applications will fail if they do not meet the deadlines stated above, are not fully completed and signed by appropriate people, are not fully supported by receipts, are for less than £30 or if the athlete does not satisfy amateur status.

Under the NASA scheme athletes can apply for assistance in preparing a portfolio to present to potential sponsors.

Assistance is available to any athlete enrolled in the NASA scheme with a maximum of six portfolios being prepared in any one financial year.

Following a request for portfolio preparation to the Development Officers a meeting will be arranged to discuss requirements and agree a general format.

Athletes will be asked to provide information about themselves and photographs.

A portfolio will be put together using these materials by the Development Officers. Three copies of this will be made, two for the athlete and one for reference.

Once a portfolio has been prepared the athlete will be required to make the approaches to potential sponsors, although some guidance in this can be given.

Free visits to the Sports Medicine Centre based in Montrose Sports Centre are available through the NASA scheme to assist athletes with injuries in receiving professional assistance.

Three free visits per financial year are available to any athlete enrolled in the NASA scheme who has an injury.

Athletes will make a booking at Montrose Sports Centre as a normal member of the public but should state that they are on the NASA scheme.

Each free visit will be noted on a record sheet for the current financial year. When an athlete has received three free visits they will be required to book and pay as a normal member of the public for any further visits during that financial year.

Specific courses will be run under the NASA scheme to assist athletes, coaches and parents in various aspects of managing a national athlete.

Courses will be run as and when funding and officer time is available. There is no firm commitment to running any courses.

Course topics will be determined by the development officers, although suggestions and recommendations are always welcome.

Details of any courses being run will be sent to all athletes enrolled in the scheme.

The above guidelines are available here

(PDF format, right click and select "Save Target As..")

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