Sport will be at the forefront of development as the Government spends more than $1 million on youth, sport and recreation in the coming 12 months.

Kim Swan, the Junior Minister of Youth Culture and Sport, outlined the allocation of funds throughout his ministry during the House of Assembly.

He said: “We recognise the value of sport to our country and continue to explore avenues that will continue to advertise Bermuda as a sporting jurisdiction.”

Mr Swan added: “It is clear from the realignment of funds that in this upcoming fiscal year the Government is demonstrating that we value the development of sports in Bermuda and that we value the development of young people through sports.”

Mr Swan said the ministry had been given more than $13 million – about seven per cent more than last year.

Of that amount, $10.6 million had been offered to the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, or about $1.04 million more than the 2022-23 budget.

The Department of Culture will receive $1.89 million.

Sports development will have the highest expenditure rate, with $2.26 million going towards investments, while another $428,000 towards programmes.

These will be assisted by $160,000 reserved for awards and incentives, including $45,000 reserved for Cup Match grants.

Sports facilities across the island will receive $1.9 million for refurbishment and investment.

This will include the motorsport park, WMC Preece Softball Park, and WER Joell Tennis Stadium.

About $839,000 would be used for sports administration, while a separate $1.16 million will go towards the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports’ headquarters.

The western, eastern, and southwest central community zones will all get a combined total of $1.39 million in investments, though the only change when compared with last year’s budget is for the western community centre, which will receive $430,000 – $53,000 more than last year.

Camping will receive $941,000 this year, with $172,000 of that going towards administration, while the rest goes towards camping services around Bermuda’s smaller islands.

Youth development activities will be assisted by $415,000 of funds, which will go to organisations such as extra curricular activities.

Day camps will also receive $824,000, while $1.47 million will be given to after-school programmes.

Mr Swan said these focuses would help enrich the lives of young people and the communities they participated in, which would “bring us together and build unity in our country”.

He said: “This will strengthen what connects us and enhance our cultural integrity.”

Mr Swan added: “We truly believe that the uniqueness of our people and our culture is the country’s greatest asset. Our values, our strength, our resilience – everything that makes Bermuda an incredible country that it is today. Our ministry is committed to venerating and celebrating our people.”