The Yukon Government announced $1,617,917 in funding recently to territorial sport organizations, special recreation groups, athletes and officials.

According to a YG press release, the funding "will help Yukon sport organizations organize and run activities related to sport and leadership development and facility operations and maintenance."

In addition, it will offer support to elite and high-performance athletes and officials.

The funding includes:

• $825,317 to 27 Yukon sport organizations and $163,800 to five local recreation organizations through the Foundations Grant program;

• $464,300 to 25 territorial sport organizations through the Podium Pathway Grant program;

• $104,500 to 39 Yukon athletes and two officials through the Yukon High Performance Athlete Assistance program; and

• $60,000 to six athletes through the Elite Athlete Assistance program.

Foundations Grant funding helps Yukon sport governing bodies and special recreation groups develop and deliver sport and recreation activities.

Some of the sports groups receiving Foundation grants include Cross Country Yukon ($106,000), the Yukon Amateur Hockey Association ($81,462) and Volleyball Yukon ($54,000).

Recreation groups receiving funding include Skookum Jim Friendship Centre ($63,000) ElderActive ($42,500), and the Friends of Mount Sima Society ($42,500).

Podium Pathway Grant funding supports enhanced sport participation.

Sports groups receiving Podium Pathway Grants include the Yukon Soccer Association ($43,000), Yukon Gymnastics Association ($38,500) and Swim Yukon ($37,000).

In addition, $60,000 in Elite Athlete Grants was given to six athletes.

The Elite Athlete Assistance program funds athletes who have been carded by Sport Canada and assists them to prepare and participate in international sport.

$100,000 in High Performance Grants was also given to 41 athletes.

The Yukon High Performance Athlete Assistance program provides funding for athletes who have demonstrated performance that is beyond the territorial level, with the potential for improvement at the provincial, national or international levels.

$2500 was set aside for individuals attending World Championships.

Lastly, officials receiving funding included Sophia Marnik (biathlon – $1000) and Doug Petriw (swimming – $1000)

Alain Masson, sport coordinator and head coach for Cross Country Yukon said "The funding from the Sport Branch allows Cross Country Yukon to offer excellence in all of its programs.

"The funding will be used for administrative purposes, athlete development, community development, leadership development as well as event hosting like the Yukon Championships."