At the Commonwealth Games in July 2002, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, pledged that from 2004, a £3million scholarship and bursary fund would be available to support talented athletes aged 16 – 25.

The intention of the scheme is to help talented athletes who wish to progress with an formal academic programme but maintain an involvement in performance sport.

 The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) will provide a support system, driven through partnership working between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and sporting organisations.

TASS aims bridge the gap between school and junior representative sport and world class sport for young people beyond the statutory school leaving age.

National Governing Bodies will identify potential scholarship individuals and encourage them to attend a university which is identified as an appropriate HE institution within a regional consortia. Northumbria, for example, will then submit a detailed development plan to the TASS national management group clearly outlining the services and facilities that they possess and are able to provide.

These include:

• Sports medicine – nutrition
• Sports science support
• Coaching opportunities and infrastructure.
• Priority access to good quality training facilities.
• Access to / provision of appropriate competition opportunities
• Appropriate education and academic provision.
• Lifestyle management
• Management support.

2008-09 TASS Awards