April 4, 2006 – Cross Country Canada would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Haywood Securities as the recipient of the 2005 True Sport Foundation Award for Corporate Excellence. The Awards were held on Friday, March 31 in Toronto as part of the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards.

CCC had nominated Haywood Securities under the National Team category for their multi-year commitment to the National Team program. Also recognized was their 3-year personal sponsorship of Olympic medallist Beckie Scott, their title support of the Haywood NorAm Canada Cup development race series and their yearly Vancouver fundraising initiative entitled “A Taste of Excellence”. In 2005, Haywood Securities also played a major role as the Pinnacle sponsor of the 2005 Vernon World Cup.

“Haywood’s support is unparalled in many facets of our sport,” commented Al Maddox, CCC Executive Director. “When the time came to ensure Canadian skiers would enjoy the home court advantage this past December, Haywood was the first to step up and commit title sponsorship level funds to the Vernon World Cup organizers. Haywood’s continued investment in Canadian excellence this past year provided dividends we could only have dreamed of at the start of the season,” continued Maddox.

“We are extremely proud to extend our financial commitment to help these great athletes achieve success on the world stage,” commented Rob Blanchard, president, Haywood Securities. “They inspire the entire Haywood team and are great role models for young Canadians from coast to coast.”

The True Sport Foundation co-sponsored the 33rd running of the Canadian Sport Awards in cooperation with Athletes Can and the Canada Games Council. Olympic and World Champion speed skater Cindy Klassen took home honours for Female Athlete of the Year, while Canada’s diving sensation Alexandre Despatie was awarded Male Athlete of the Year.

“It is these athletes, teams, corporations and individuals who work in the sport community that help make the Canadian sport system successful,” says Athletes CAN CEO Guy Tanguay. “The Canadian Sport Awards are a great way to recognize the efforts of those not only on the field, but behind the scenes as well.”

Also being recognized in the corporate sector were VISA in the Individual Athlete Support category and Honda Canada for National initiative.