November 06, 2013 (Calgary AB) —Two of Canada’s cross-country ski athletes focused on competing at the 2014 Games in Russia, along with double Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott will ski into Morley Community School on the Morley Reserve just west of Calgary on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 1 p.m.

Scott will bring fellow Olympian and World Cup medalist, Perianne Jones along with Olympic hopeful and one of Canada’s most promising young male skiers Jesse Cockney, with her to the school in an effort to inspire the Grades 6 to 12 students to live a healthy and more active lifestyle, while also engaging them in the National Ski Team’s journey to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Jess Cockney © Angus Cockney

Cockney, who is of Inuit ancestry, has a mission to be a positive role model for youth growing up in the North, and Aboriginal youth across the country in addition to winning medals on the snow for Canada. The 24-year-old placed a career-best ninth at the Canmore World Cup one year ago.

The 28-year-old Jones, who competed for Canada at the 2010 Games, is coming off two of her best seasons ever as a member of the National Ski Team where she has broke through to win her first two World Cup medals.

Perianne Jones © Kris Dobie

The two athletes, who will make a stop at the school with two-time Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott, just prior to launching the trail to Sochi as the World Cup kicks off later this month will engage kids in the team’s journey to Sochi with regular communication throughout the season while the athletes’ travel the world. Scott will also return to the school this winter to hold a Ski Fit North Alberta ski day with the kids.

The initiative is part of Cross Country Alberta and Cross Country Canada’s Ski Fit North Alberta program developed to expose First-Nation and Metis youth to increase physical and mental well-being through the sport of cross-country skiing. Over the last four years Scott has travelled to northern Alberta communities delivering inspirational messages to children in remote corners of the province.  The program is a unique and proud partnership between Cross Country Canada (CCC), Cross Country Alberta (the provincial affiliate to the National body) and Statoil.

Ski Fit North Alberta targets Canadian Aboriginal youth between the ages of six and 14 in regions of Statoil’s core business in Northern Alberta. Scott, of Vermilion, Alta., helps recruit and retain children to the sport of cross-country skiing in an effort to increase awareness, support youth development and strengthen Canada’s junior athlete talent pool.

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