Seventy-four thousand euros, unlocked by the department of fitness of the Formentera Council, will be handed out to eight local associations that applied for assistance promoting fitness, including Formentera's dojo and football team as well as associations built around tennis, racing, basketball and swimming, plus the Grup Esportiu Espalmador.

That was the message trumpeted by CiF fitness secretary Jordi Vidal, who highlighted the role such funding plays in driving sports clubs on the island. This year the administration will introduce early payouts of 50%. According to the secretary, the strategy is intended to reduce the financial burden on clubs.

Individual assistance
Separately the administration is also disclosed it will offer nine thousand euros to three local sportspeople. All under 18, the recipients include specialists in athletics, tennis and sailing.

Vidal framed the assistance as “a boost we hope will help our athletes get the guidance they'll need in their futures in pro sport”. The individual assistance is the result of a partnership between the Council and Fundació per a l'Esport Balear.

A second round of applications for trainers and other sportspeople. Interested parties should contact the CiF fitness office (àrea d'Esports) and visit the website http://esportesmes.org for eligibility requirements. A joint subcommittee of Council and Fundació representatives reviews applications based on need and performance.