2006-03-22

Wrestling's Stefanie Howorun of Ontario and Jeff Adamson of Saskatchewan Selected as Recipients of Canada Games Fast Track Athlete Grants

Canada Games Support Canada's Next Generation Champions

(March 10th, 2006) Ottawa - The Canada Games Council (CGC) and the Foundation for Athletes and Sport Training (FAST) today announced the list of recipients of the 2006 CANADA GAMES FAST TRACK athlete grants.

The Canada Games Council and FAST received over 1,100 applications for the grants this year. For 2006, the program is awarding 60 grants, each worth $2,000, to Canada Games level athletes who are targeted and on the pathway to excellence at the national, international and Olympic team level.

This year's recipients come from all of Canada's provinces and territories and represent 29 of the 37 sports on the program of either the 2007 or 2009 Canada Games. The $2,000 grant is awarded in order to help support their training and competition needs.

The program was designed to fill a void in Canada's sport system and support Canada Games level athletes who are targeted and on the pathway to excellence at the national team level. "Once again, we are delighted with the number and quality of the applications we received," says Sue Hylland, President and CEO, Canada Games Council. "We are proud to be able to help inspire dreams and build champions among Canada's youth."

Two grants were awarded to each province and territory. Another 34 grants were awarded to Ontario athletes as part of the FAST partnership with the Government of Ontario. The winners have all been identified within the Canada Games FAST Track program criteria as having the most chance to be next generation national team athletes. They were selected based on their performance over the last two competitive seasons. National Sport Organizations gave input to the selection committee to help rank athletes in their respective sports.

This represents the second year grants have been awarded in partnership between the Canada Games Council and FAST. "FAST is pleased to be partnering again with the Canada Games Council to reach a large number of developing athletes across the country. The partnership with the CGC has allowed for a tremendous expansion of support for these athletes who we hope will one day represent Canada", explains Larry Cain, Chairman, FAST Board of Directors.

The Canada Games FAST Track program represents an initiative under the CGC's between the Games initiatives titled Dreams and Champions, which had received a generous contribution from Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada) for 2005. This program also received money from the Government of Ontario and administered through FAST.

A listing of the 60 grant recipients follows. For more information on any of the recipient or to arrange an interview with them, please contact Mylène Croteau, at the Canada Games Council office.

Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada's Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada's sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. The Canada Games Days represents one of the new programs under the CGC's between the Games initiatives titled Dreams and Champions Programs, which have received a generous contribution from Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada).

The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be held in Whiethorse, Yukon.

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