June 09, 2012 – The National Winter Sport Association (NWSA) was established through the foresight and donation of the Disbrow family. This generous support of the NWSA is aimed at assisting coaches, athletes and competitive racing programs in Canada; the long-term goal is focused on boosting and sustaining Canada’s performance level and ranking at the international level.

During the past four seasons, the NWSA funding has contributed close to one million dollars to enhancing the delivery of club, athlete and National Development Centre (NDC) racing programs. The NWSA’s platform of support has a primary target to help professionalize and expand Canada’s network of cross-country ski coaches who can lead quality club racing programs.

The NWSA is also committed to allocating some funding support to selected developing athletes who demonstrate potential towards long-term international level development and a clear financial need.

The NWSA is very encouraged in how this support is affecting the clubs and athletes and is pleased to award twelve athletes and twelve clubs a total disbursement of $200,000 for the 2012-13 season.

The Association’s order of priorities for funding assistance includes:

1. The hiring of full time professional coaches to lead year round athlete development programs. The coach is required to adapt an inclusive approach to Cross Country Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Guide, “Cross-Country Skiing – A Sport for Life.”

2. Advancing the education of professional coaches and cross-country ski racers who want to become professional coaches; this may include assisting them in their education at the National Coaching Institute (NCI) or other career enhancing opportunities.

3. Funding assistance for athletes who have the skill and desire to compete, first for their club and provincial team and then at the National Ski Team level.

4. Funding assistance for Cross Country Canada’s National Development Centres (NDCs).

Organizations & Athletes Selected for Funding:

Clubs:
Nakkertok Nordic
Skibec Nordique
Cross Country Yukon (Whitehorse Ski Club)
Canmore Nordic
Fondeurs Laurentides
Telemark XC Ski Club
Rocky Mountain Racers
Sovereign Lake Nordic Club
Whistler Nordics
Black Jack
Big Thunder
Team Hardwood

Athletes:
Anne-Marie Comeau
Dahria Beatty
Geoffrey Richards
Janelle Greer
Alexis Turgeon
Simon Lapointe
Maya MacIsaac-Jones
Patrick Stewart-Jones
Andy Shields
David Palmer
Sebastien Townsend
Dominique Moncion-Groulx