MEMBER SUPPORT

Funding may be available to support necessary travel-related costs for eligible SȾÁUTW̱ youth athletes who have been selected to participate in recognized provincial, national, or international athletic events. Support is intended to help reduce financial barriers to participation and may be approved for reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to the athlete’s attendance at an eligible event.

Examples of eligible travel-related supports that may be considered include:

Provincial Travel Support

Provincial travel support may provide up to $500 per approved athlete, per eligible event, to assist with costs related to participation in provincial championships, tournaments, showcases, competitions, or team selection events taking place within Canada.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Transportation costs such as airfare, ferry, bus, or mileage
• Accommodation costs related to the approved event
• Registration or entry fees required for participation
• Meals and local transportation where reasonable and necessary
• Required team or event-related participation costs not otherwise covered

National Travel Support

National travel support may provide up to $1,500 per approved athlete, per eligible event, to assist with costs related to participation in recognized national championships, tournaments, showcases, competitions, or development opportunities taking place within Canada.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Transportation costs such as airfare, ferry, bus, rail, or personal vehicles.
• Accommodation costs related to the approved event
• Registration or entry fees required for participation
• Meals and local transportation where reasonable and necessary
• Required team or event-related participation costs not otherwise covered

International Travel Support

International travel support may provide up to $2,500 per approved athlete, per eligible event, to assist with costs related to participation in recognized international competitions, tournaments, showcases, exchanges, or sport development opportunities outside Canada.

Eligible expenses may include:

• International airfare and required ground transportation
• Accommodation related to the approved event
• Registration, participation, or entry fees
• Meals and local transportation where reasonable and necessary
• Required travel documentation costs directly related to the approved event, where appropriate

This fund is intended to support registered SȾÁUTW̱ youth athletes and their families where travel costs may create barriers to participation in recognized provincial or international sport opportunities. Applications are reviewed with care, fairness, and consideration of the athlete’s effort, opportunity, financial need, and the overall benefit to youth and the community.

Applicants may include:

• Parents, guardians, or caregivers of registered SȾÁUTW̱ youth athletes; up to age 21.
• Youth athletes who have been selected, invited, qualified, or rostered for an eligible provincial or international sport event.
• Families seeking support to help offset participation costs that may otherwise prevent attendance.
• Applicants able to provide documentation confirming the event, selection, invitation, or registration requirements

• Parents, caregivers, or youth athletes may submit a request for travel support.
• Supporting documents should include event information, proof of selection or registration, and cost estimates, invoices, or travel details.
• Requests are reviewed with consideration of the athlete’s eligibility, available funding, urgency, and potential benefit to the youth and community.
• To help ensure fair access, funding is generally available once per athlete per calendar year, unless an exception is approved based on circumstances and available resources.
• Applicants may be contacted if additional information is required to complete the review.
• Funding decisions are made with fairness, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of youth and families

• The SȾÁUTW̱ Youth Athlete Travel Support Fund is supported through annual funding made available on a fiscal-year basis.
• Funding is available throughout the year until the annual allocation has been fully committed.
• Support amounts are up to $1,500 for approved provincial travel requests and up to $2,500 for approved international travel requests.
• Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and approval depends on eligibility, documented need, and available funding at the time of review.
• When annual funds are fully committed, new requests may be paused or placed in queue until additional funding becomes available.
• Families will be informed in a timely and respectful manner if funding availability affects their request.

• Complete the travel support application form or submit a written request for support.
• Include confirmation of the event, proof of selection, invitation, or registration, and a cost breakdown for travel-related expenses.
• Provide any additional supporting information that helps explain the opportunity, benefit, and financial need.
• Submit the request to the appropriate SȾÁUTW̱ program or designated staff contact.
• Program staff may follow up if additional information is needed to support the review process.

Applicants are asked to provide:

• Event invitation, selection letter, roster confirmation, or registration information
• A quote, estimate, invoice, or cost breakdown for travel expenses
• A brief description of the sport opportunity and how it supports the youth athlete’s growth and participation
• Any additional information that helps describe the need for support

Not every application will require all of the above. The information requested will depend on the type of support being requested and individual circumstances.

• Whether the request relates to a recognized provincial or international athletic event or opportunity.
• Whether the applicant has provided documentation confirming participation, selection, or registration.
• Whether the request supports youth development, wellness, leadership, representation, and community benefit.
• Whether there is a demonstrated financial need and whether other funding options have been explored.
• The availability of program funding and the need to distribute resources fairly across applicants.
• Whether previous funding has been received and how that relates to current need, fairness, and available resources.
• Whether the maximum amount of available funding has been reached per fiscal year. SȾÁUTW̱ Youth are only eligible once per fiscal year.

• The fund is intended to support reasonable travel-related costs connected to approved provincial or international athletic opportunities. The following types of expenses are generally not eligible:
• Costs that are already fully covered by another funding source
• Retroactive reimbursement for expenses incurred before approval, unless an exception is granted
• Personal spending money, shopping, entertainment, or non-essential purchases
• Travel costs for family members or supporters unless specifically approved as necessary
• Equipment, uniforms, or general training costs not directly tied to the approved travel request
• Fundraising costs, donations, fines, penalties, or debt repayment
• Requests that are not clearly connected to an eligible provincial or international athletic opportunity
• Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other restricted substances

• Applications are welcomed throughout the year and reviewed on an ongoing basis, subject to available funding. Review and decision-making may involve relevant SȾÁUTW̱ departments to help ensure a fair, coordinated, and community-minded approach to supporting youth athlete travel opportunities.

Community members are encouraged to submit applications by:

• Completing the designated travel support application form, where available
• Submitting supporting documentation such as event details, proof of participation, quotes, invoices, or travel estimates

Sending applications through one of the following avenues:

1. In-person drop-off at SȾÁUTW̱ offices:
   • Administration, Education and Health Programs – 7728 Tetayut Road, Saanichton B.C
   • Child and Family Support Services – 7725 Tetayut Road, Saanichton BC
   • Or directly to program staff or support workers assisting with application
2. Email Submission to:
   • Community Initiatives & Events Manager
   • Director of Programs & Services – Shelley Green: sgreen@stautw.ca
3. Apply Online

Applications are received in a supportive and low-barrier manner, and staff are available to assist applicants who may need help completing the form or gathering information.

Applicants are kindly requested to submit only one application per request; multiple submissions to multiple people and departments may delay the review and processing of your application