May 25, 2014 – 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 six seasons, the NWSA funding has contributed over one million dollars to enhancing the delivery of high performance club programs and assisting athletes with financial assistance. 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 high performance club programs. The NWSA is also committed to allocating some funding support to selected developing athletes who demonstrate potential towards long-term international level development.

The NWSA is very encouraged with the outcomes of their support for clubs and athletes is pleased to award six athletes and nine clubs a total disbursement of $150,000 for the 2014-15 season.

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

– 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.”
– 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.
– 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.

Organizations & Athletes Selected for Funding:

Clubs:
– Big Thunder
– Black Jack Ski Club
– Canmore Nordic
– Cross Country Yukon (Whitehorse Ski Club)
– Fondeurs Laurentides
– Nakkertok Nordic/Nordique
– Rocky Mountain Racers
– Skibec Nordique
– Team Hardwood

Athletes:
– Alexis Dumas – Skibec/ CNEPH
– Annah Hanthorn – Whitehorse Ski Club
– Colin Ferrie – Kimberley Nordic/ Black Jack Ski Team
– David Palmer – Black Jack Ski Club
– Maya Macisaac-Jones – RMR
– Scott Hill – Team Hardwood/ NDC Thunder Bay