The NSW Government has announced applications for $305,000 worth of programs to help country athletes, coaches and officials with training, competition and sports development opportunities are now being accepted.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Kevin Greene said the Country Athletes Scheme and the Country Coaches and Officials Travel Scheme opened on October 1.

“The NSW Government is proud to support the country sporting community that has contributed so greatly to the sporting success of our state,” he said.

“These two programs will see more than $300,000 invested to provide country athletes with access to training similar to that enjoyed by athletes from the city.”

“The first program is called the Country Athletes Scheme and it aims to give talented young athletes from country NSW access to training, coaching and competitions.”

To be eligible for the Country Athletes Scheme, athletes must:

* be 17 years of age or under as at December 31;

* be competing at state-age level in their sport;

* be permanent residents of NSW;

* reside more than 150km radial distance from the old Sydney GPO; and

* be registered, affiliated or have reciprocal rights with the recognised state body for the sport in NSW.

“The Country Coaches and Officials Travel Scheme helps coaches and officials from country areas participate in courses to gain or maintain required accreditation.”

The Country Coaches and Officials Travel Scheme requires coaches and officials to be:

* 16 years of age or older and permanent residents of NSW;

* actively coaching or officiating on a regular basis in NSW;

* reside outside the greater metropolitan areas of Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong; and

* registered, affiliated or have reciprocal rights with the recognised state body for the sport in NSW.

Applications for both schemes close on December 31.

More information and application forms are available on line at www.dsr.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13-13-02.