January 18, 2007 (Ottawa, ON) – The dominant performance by many of Canada’s top women athletes at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and the people who helped them get there, had a significant impact on the 2006 edition of CAAWS’ list of the Most Influential Canadian Women in Sport and Physical Activity. Five of the women named to the list were medallists at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, along with two of the coaches who worked with them.

The list is compiled by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS). Twenty women were named to the 2006 list, and one young woman was named as “one to watch“. The list recognizes women who have made a significant impact as athletes, administrators, advocates, board members, coaches, executives, officials, policy makers and volunteers. While many of the women named have had significant careers, the selection to the list reflects their influential activity in the calendar year 2006.

This is the fifth time CAAWS has announced its Most Influential Women list. In presenting the 2006 names, Winnipeg’s Janice Forsyth, Chair of the CAAWS Board of Directors outlined what constitutes an influential woman, “While many of the women named to our list this year are truly outstanding athletes, what makes them influential is often what takes place in addition to their competitive careers. We have been inspired by the stands that they have taken to keep sport drug-free, to focus attention on people who are much less fortunate and to give back to the sports they love. Others have chosen to exercise their influence in many different ways, by opening up research forums, speaking and educating others, from recreational participants to the elite level of athletes in sport. These women also represent people who have made sport a professional career, as well as those who serve as volunteer administrators and officials. They have all made the Canadian sport and physical activity world a better placed due to their contributions this year.”

The Olympic athletes named to the list were Cindy Klassen, the dominant athlete at the Torino Games, Clara Hughes, who matched her Gold medal with a pledge to raise funds for Right to Play, Chandra Crawford, the Gold medallist who is encouraging girls to participate in sport, Cassie Campbell who retired after Canada’s Gold medal in Ice Hockey and has already made her presence felt in hockey broadcasting, and Beckie Scott, who won a Silver medal in Torino, and is now serving on many sport governing boards and committees. Recognized for their coaching capabilities were Melody Davidson, the first full-time coach of the Women’s National Ice Hockey Team, and Xiuli Wang, who coached her speed skaters to outstanding performances in Torino.

Several of the women who were new to the list this year have been the first women in their positions, or have invested their time and energy to encourage, inform and inspire others. New names on the list include Sony Ericsson Women’s Tennis Tour President, Stacey Allaster; Wendy Bedingfield, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Acadia University; Slava Corn, an international gymnastics official; Sylvie Fréchette, now an Administrator with the Canadian Olympic Committee; Marielle Ledoux, a leading sport Nutritionist and Professor at the University of Montreal; Moira Lassen, a Weightlifting Volunteer and Official; TA Loeffler, Professor and outdoor educator from Memorial University; St; Allison McNeill, the Head Coach of Canada’s National Women’s Basketball Team; and Kathy Newman, Executive Director, BC Wheelchair Sports Association;

Returning to the list were Silken Laumann, Author of the book Child’s Play; Nancy Lee, who left the CBC to head up the 2010 Olympic Broadcast Services in Vancouver; Chantal Petitclerc, who maintained her athletic competition at the highest level, and Carla Qualtrough, the new President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Named as the “One to Watch” was 11-year old Holly Micuda of Oakville, ON. After watching the 2006 Olympic Winter Games on television, she came up with the idea of helping raise money for athletes’ training, coaching and living expenses. Now, more than 17,000 of the $3 wristbands have been sold with the proceeds going to Canadian Athletes Now, a non-profit organization that raises funds to support Canadian athletes prepare for international competition.

The 2006 Most Influential Women (in alphabetical order) are:
– Stacey Allaster, President, Sony Ericsson Women’s Tennis Association Tour; Toronto, ON & St. Petersburg, FL
– Wendy Bedingfield, Dean, Acadia University; Wolfville, NS
– Cassie Campbell, Athlete, Ice Hockey and Sports Commentator; Calgary, AB
– Slava Corn, Official, Gymnastics; Toronto, ON
– Chandra Crawford, Athlete, Cross Country Skiing; Canmore, AB
– Melody Davidson, Coach, Ice Hockey; Calgary, AB
РSylvie Fr̩chette, Administrator, Canadian Olympic Committee; Montreal, QC
– Clara Hughes, Athlete, Speed Skating, Glen Sutton, QC
– Cindy Klassen, Athlete, Speed Skating, Winnipeg, MB & Calgary, AB
– Moira Lassen, Volunteer and Official, Canadian Weightlifting Federation; Whitehorse, YK
– Silken Laumann, Author and Children’s Advocate; Victoria, BC
– Marielle Ledoux, Nutritionist and Professor, University of Montreal; Montreal, QC
– Nancy Lee, Broadcaster, Olympic Broadcast Services Vancouver ; Toronto, ON
– TA Loeffler, Professor and Outdoor Educator; Memorial University; St. John’s, NL
– Allison McNeill, Coach, Women’s Basketball, South Surrey, BC
– Kathy Newman, Executive Director, BC Wheelchair Sports Association; Vancouver, BC
– Chantal Petitclerc, Athlete, Paralympics, Montreal, QC
– Carla Qualtrough, President; Canadian Paralympic Committee; Vancouver, BC
– Beckie Scott, Athlete, Cross Country and Athlete Advocate; Vermillion, AB
– Xiuli Wang, Speed Skating Coach, Calgary, AB

“One to Watch”
– Holly Micuda, Fundraiser; Oakville, ON

Many of the women named to the CAAWS list were nominated by colleagues and the general public. The final list was compiled by the CAAWS selection panel from both public nominations, and contributions from knowledgeable sport and physical activity leaders. The panel reviewed the submissions and based its decision on the scope of activities in the 2006 calendar year.

Photos and individual bios are available at www.caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/2006/list.htm

About CAAWS
CAAWS encourages girls and women to participate and lead in sports and physical activity. A not-for-profit organization, CAAWS offers a number of services, programs and resources to a variety of clients, including sport and physical activity organizations, teachers, coaches, health professionals and recreation leaders. CAAWS works in close co-operation with government and non-government organizations on activities and initiatives that advocate for positive change for young girls and women in the sport and physical activity communities. Visit www.caaws.ca for more information.