Sports budget rises from $600K to $2.1M

The BVI’s sports budget has risen sharply, moving from just over $600,000 to about $2.1 million, according to Education Minister Sharie deCastro.

DeCastro said the increase marked a major step in supporting athletes and local sporting bodies.

“We’ve seen the budget for sports increase significantly from what it was — just over 600,000 at maximum — to about 2.1 million,” deCastro stated.

She explained that the ministry had created new budget lines to strengthen partnerships with associations and federations.

“What we’ve really been doing is partnering with sports and associations and federations. We created a budget line contributions to sport and associations and federations so they submit an annual plan and we’re able to basically furnish and support their annual plan and initiatives,” deCastro explained.

The minister also announced new grant opportunities for athletes competing at different levels.

“We also created an elite athlete grant so those elite athletes on the professional level who are out there, they have access to a set amount of funding guaranteed annually once they reach a certain threshold. Tier 1 is up to $45,000. Tier 2 is up to $25,000,” deCastro disclosed.

Support will also extend to younger athletes who balance sports and academics. “We also have student athletes who are able to access grants. Once you’re studying and you’re an athlete in school — up to $9,000 annually. You’re able to access those grants as well,” she added.

DeCastro said about half a million dollars each year would now be dedicated to these contributions.

The rise in the sports budget comes alongside broader investment in education, infrastructure and training. DeCastro has insisted that increased funding is vital to creating opportunities for young people across the territory.