Around $50,000 was awarded to 13 different sports governing bodies at yesterday’s National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme ceremony at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The grants, handed out by Minister of Community, Culture and Sports Wayne Scott, will be used to cover the costs of sending some of the Island’s most promising young athletes to compete or train overseas.

Basketball player, Kumari Tannock, 14, was given money to the tune of $5,000 to assist in the payment for three weeks of training at the IMG training camp in Florida.

“I’m very appreciative about the donation towards me furthering my endeavours,” Tannock said.

“I have to thank all my coaches who have helped me greatly along the road I am on.

“There’s been a lot of late night and early mornings training to get to this point. With this money I can only get better and show those who are behind me with the support that it hasn’t gone to waste. There are a few things I need to work on and I look forward to getting on with things.”

Equestrian Riley Correia, 16, garnered the most funds of the group, a sum of $6,056 that will allow her to attend the Kentucky Summer Festival Horse Show and the Royal Winter Fair National Championship Horse Show.

The Bermuda Cricket Board were granted $4,375 from the Department of Youth Sports and Recreation to send Bermuda batsman Tre Manders, 19, to attend training and coaching sessions at the prestigious home of cricket, Lord’s.

Baseball player Braxton Stowe Jr, 16, was awarded $3,475 to have private batting and coaching sessions, participate in one SF Bandits Tournament and purchase equipment. The Bermuda Hockey Federation, on behalf of up and coming youngster Maya Palacio, 17, have been granted the sum of $3,295 to attend the Sportways Hockey Camp, purchase equipment and provide transportation.

Gabriella Arnold, 17, was granted $1,655 to attend the USA Cycling Talent ID Camp, including accommodations, camp fee, equipment and transportation.

A sum of $4,252 was awarded to Kionje Somner, 16, who represented Bermuda at the recently completed Carifta Games in Martinique, to attend the national training centre in Florida.

For the second year running Tyler Smith, 15, was granted $3,749 to attend the USA Triathlon Elite Camp and the Canadian Junior Elite Championships.

The Bermuda Football Association were given $5,200 for Jai-Zel Smith-DeShields, 15, the younger brother of North Village striker Jahquan Smith-Deshields, to attend the IMG Soccer Academy for three weeks.

Jesse Washington, 14, who won a gold medal at the Carifta Games Swimming Championships on Tuesday, was granted $4,693 to attend the Canadian Age Group Nationals, provide for accommodation with a coach along with food.

The Bermuda Junior Golf Association were allocated $3,540 for James Walker Campbell, 15, to benefit from full tournament observation and half of his training and coaching.

Asante Chapman, 16, who is the reigning Surrey Sports Park Young Sports Personality of the Year award winner, was given $2,800 to attend the Americas Federation of Netball Association in August. She is attempting to break into England’s national team.

Dylan Pratt, a promising squash player, was granted $1,885 to assist with personalised training and coaching sessions, attend the Canadian Junior Open and purchase a new racquet.