May 30, 2013 (Salt Lake City, UT) – The National Nordic Foundation, America’s grassroots Nordic foundation, and CXC Academy, an online training subscription service are partnering up for the 2013/14 season. CXC Academy will be contributing 50% of new annual training subscription to the National Nordic Foundation for the coming season.

We at the NNF are so thankful for programs like the CXC Academy who are stepping forward to support the NNF in its quest to provide opportunities and support to our developing American Nordic skiers.

This is a great opportunity for skiers of all abilities to get back to training with a focus for the 2013/14 ski season and at the same time support America’s developing Cross-Country and Nordic Combined skiers.

The National Nordic Foundation (NNF) is a grassroots, 501(c)3 organization that supports our developing American Cross-Country and Nordic Combined skiers. This past season through the support of our American Nordic community the NNF was able to support 69 athletes with European racing opportunities in addition to domestic training camps and competitions.

CXC Academy is a program of Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC Skiing) and online subscription service that provides professional training plans and instructional videos for cross country skiers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a beginner skier looking to finish your first 5K, a Master skier training for a big ski event, or simply looking to improve your overall strength and fitness, we have a training program to meet your goals.

For more about these organizations go to:
www.nationalnordicfoundation.org
www.cxcacademy.com

January 10, 2013 – Congratulations to all the athletes named to represent the USA at the U23 and World Junior Nordic Championships and the U18/J1 Scando Cup. Their hard work, dedication, and outstanding performance earned them the right to compete against the best skiers their age in the world while representing our country and our American Nordic community.

The NNF is contributing $93,000 in support of these trips ($81,000 XC, and $12,000 NC). Thanks to the support of this American Nordic community and the NNF’s Drive for 25 fundraising efforts we are sending these athletes to go up against the World’s best at a significantly reduced cost them. This ensures the athletes can afford to go and have the coaching support that is necessary to succeed. We thank all the NNF supporters for making this happen. Stay tuned to see how our young athletes do.

U23 and JR World Championship Cross Country Team Liberec, CZE (Jan. 20-27)

U23/World Junior Championships + PreCamp
– NNF will fund $45,600 of $64,025 total trip cost.
– Athletes pay $700 for the races and $200 for the 5-day pre-camp. (not including airfare).

Post Championship Continental Cups
– NNF will fund $17,000 of $25,000 total trip cost. Athletes pay $675

U23 World Championship Cross Country Team

Women
– Sophie Caldwell (SMS T2)
– Caitlin Patterson (Craftsbury Green Racing Project)
– Annie Pokorny (Middlebury College)
– Annie Hart (Dartmouth College)
– Elizabeth Guiney (University of New Hampshire)

Men
– Erik Bjornsen (APU/USST)
– Skyler Davis (SMS T2/USST)
– David Norris (Montana State University)
– Eric Packer (SMS T2)
– Sam Tarling (Dartmouth)

World Junior Championship Cross Country Team

Women
– Mary O’Connell (Dartmouth College)
– Corey Stock (Dartmouth College)
– Heather Mooney (Middlebury College)
– Anika Miller (Payette Lakes Sports)
– Sloan Storey (University of Utah)
– Emily Hannah (SSWSC/Harvard University)

Men
– Logan Hanneman (University of Alaska, Fairbanks)
– Ben Saxton (F.A.S.T. Performance Training)
– Tucker McCrerey (University of Utah)
– Kyle Bratrud (Northern Michigan University)
– Sawyer Kesselheim (Bridger Ski Foundation)
– Forest Mahlen (APU Nordic Ski Center)

World Junior Championship Nordic Combined Team

– NNF will fund $12,000 of $22,600 in trip costs. Athletes pay $1,108 (not including airfare).

October 31, 2012 – Amateur sports in Canada have seen significant cutbacks in corporate sponsorships since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and officials are concerned about the future of sport in the country reports the Vancouver Sun. According to the Sun article, Canadian sports officials are working with much smaller budgets post-Vancouver 2010 and this will negatively affect athlete development once the 2014 Sochi Olympics are over. Read the article HERE.

July 24, 2012 (Sun Valley, ID) – The National Nordic Foundation will invest $6,000 in two forthcoming Cross-Country Pillar Projects in its summer round of XC 2012/2013 funding. The primary goal of these USST International Development camps in Austria, Germany, and Sweden is to get the athletes on snow midway through the preparation period, and most goals will be technique-based. The National Nordic Foundation’s investment will offset some athlete’s travel expenses thereby reducing the personal cost for many of the athletes. Primary funding for the camps will come from USST with a significant additional investment to the men’s camp from the Oregon Nordic Ski Foundation. These strategic investments are made to Support Tomorrow’s Stars Today.

Men’s Camp: July 28-Aug 3 Ramsau/Dachstein, Austria, Aug 3-9 Oberhof, Germany
The men’s National Team is looking forward to the upcoming camp in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria and Oberhof, Germany. Ramsau and Oberhof are two of the best summer cross-country ski training venues in central Europe. Both venues provide excellent skiing, as well as world-class rollerskiing and dry-land training opportunities. It has been many years since the USST has been in Ramsau for a summer camp and we are looking forward to being back in a place that is already one of our winter homes. This will be our first summer camp in Oberhof, a venue that offers a rollerski track over 10 kilometers in length as well as the ski tunnel. The primary goal of our camp is to get the men back on snow midway through the preparation period, and most goals will be technique-based. We also gain a unique opportunity to test new equipment directly from the European factories. This camp would not be possible without the generosity of the Oregon Nordic Ski Foundation and the National Nordic Foundation. We are grateful for the support of both of these great Nordic organizations; they have made this camp a reality.

Women’s Camp: August 3-16 Torsby & Salen Sweden
The women’s National Team is preparing for its third of five preparation period camps – this time to Sweden. The team will spend its first three days training in Torsby to kick off the camp. During this time we will test equipment on snow in the tunnel with ski industry representatives. We’ll then pack up and meet the Swedish National Team women in Salen for five days of dry land. For the final five days of the camp we’ll head back to Torsby’s ski tunnel with the Swedes. An important national strategy for this group is international partnerships. We’ve made significant progress with Canada in two years and have felt positive benefits on a number of levels. These partnerships naturally inject change into our program without drastically changing our direction. The excitement of new faces and training methods is motivating. We have more fun this way, and we train harder and better. If you want to see a hardcore interval session like never before just put two national teams together and stand back. Our team depends on a deep network of support and NNF is at its center.

April 23, 2012 – NENSA is pleased to announce Justin Beckwith as our 2012 New England Coach of the Year! Justin has been quietly managing the Green Mountain Valley School Nordic Program for several years now. He has coached GMVS athletes through successful junior careers and instills a love of skiing and outdoor adventure into them as well. A world class athlete himself, he knows what it takes to be a student of the sport and his program ensures that there is enough of a challenge intermixed with plenty of fun!

Justin wrote via email: “I’ve been really lucky to work with an impressive group of skiers over the past six years here in Waitsfield. My goal as a coach is to make all around skiers and expose kids to adventures that create a passion for sport and competition. Pursuing your dreams as a ski racer is an ultimate adventure and it is inspiring to help kids follow that path. It has been awesome to watch our alums continue to ski and improve in college and beyond.

We’ve had five Junior National Champs and three athletes placed on the J1 Team since I’ve been at the Green Mountain Valley School. We are really excited about our summer training programs with athletes like Tim Reynolds, David Sinclair, Dylan Grald and Heidi Halvorsen leading guests from throughout New England.”

Justin has been coaching at GMVS for 6 years, was J1 Scando trip leader in 2009, World Junior Coach in 2012 and the New England Team Wax Tech 2009-2012. For four straight years in a row, Justin has also managed the production of 55- 65 pairs of skis per race at Junior Nationals- this is no easy feat to keep the New England train rolling! His calmness through the inevitable storms of wax testing and making the right calls, consistently put out the best skis on the best skiers day in and day out during a busy week.

Through all of this he stresses the team effort to make New England such a great ski community. In true spirit, Justin recaps his season on a recent blog post:

“Thanks for helping make this winter a success for New England– the enthusiasm of the Nordic Community in our region overshadowed any lack of snow. It was a huge year of successes for Eastern Skiers from the BKL level, at Junior Nationals and NCAA’s. I’m proud to be a part of this energy and I look forward to collaborating with many of you in the future.”

We congratulate Justin and wish him much success as he continues to educate and challenge his skiers to even more success in the future.

Coach of the year award history
– 2012 – Justin Beckwith
– 2011 – Sverre Caldwell
– 2010 – Pepa Milochoeva
– 2009 – Matt Boobar
– 2008 – Eileen Carey
– 2007 – Rob Bradlee

Donations Double-Matched – $10,000 Bonus
Another donor has stepped in to add to the challenge we announced on Friday. Instead of being matched $1 to $1, all donations to the Annual Fund are now matched with $2 for every $1 donated.

Your $10 donation becomes $30 to NENSA… your $50 donation becomes $150… And if we meet the $5,000 match (we’ve raised $2,005 toward it so far) then the new donor will also give a $10,000 bonus to the annual fund. Please be part of helping us reach this goal and earn this very important contribution to NENSA. I can’t think of a better way for our members to welcome our new Executive Director than with the energy and momentum that a successful annual fund can provide. And successfully meeting this match will mean that we’ll surpass our Annual Fund goal and have an opportunity, like last year, for our Board of Directors to designate even more funding to some of your favorite programs like the Athlete Fund and Skis for Kids.

So, please take advantage of the match today! Every dollar becomes three! How often do we have an opportunity like this?

Please donate today and help spread the word to your friends; we NEED your help to meet this challenge! And donating online will take just 5 minutes. Please help us reach the goal and continue to bring wonderful winter memories to New England families.

Click HERE to Donate.

April 23, 2012 – Although support is still strong for him in many quarters in Estonia, disgraced two-time skiing gold medalist Andrus Veerpalu will lose out on state funding for a while – the stipend that the Cultural Endowment pays all living Olympic champions.

Veerpalu, who tested positive for doping last year, is not among this year’s recipients of the benefit, which consists of semi-annual payments of 1,150 euros each.

Secretary General of the Olympic Committee Toomas Tõnise said Veerpalu’s name could not be proposed this time as it would have gone against international anti-doping rules, which forbid sanctioned athletes from receiving public sector money…

Link to the ERR article HERE.

April 02, 2012 – The deadline for the National Winter Sports Association has been changed to April 10th for Club and NDC applications. Athlete applications for funding were still required by March 31st. Request for Proposals HERE.

March 30, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s sporting heroes remain hungry to deliver a return on the Government of Canada’s continued investment in high-performance sport following Thursday’s budget announcement that ensured the Harper Government’s ongoing commitment to driving podium performances.

“The Government of Canada continues to lead the way in creating a new culture for winning, which Canada’s athletes and coaches fully support,” said Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer, Own the Podium. “This commitment reinforces the Canadian Government’s leadership in delivering the resources athletes need to climb onto the podium at Olympic, Paralympic and major international competitions.”

Own the Podium, which has been a driving force behind Canada’s continued evolution into a world-leading sport nation, is funded nearly exclusively by the Government of Canada. Originally launched in 2005 as a national initiative, Own the Podium is designed to provide medal-potential athletes with additional resources and high-performance programming to help them achieve podium success.

Canada’s 50 per cent increase in the Summer Olympic medal count from Athens to Beijing is in large part attributable to the Government of Canada’s leadership, according to one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians – two-time Olympic medallist in triathlon, Simon Whitfield.

“We simply could not have achieved what we did without the tremendous financial support from the Government of Canada’s investment in Own the Podium,” said Whitfield, who electrified the nation with his silver-medal triathlon triumph in Beijing. “From camp funding and staff support, to the heat chamber, and our satellite setup at the actual Games that included our own wonder chef Cosmo, OTP’s funding ensures we have the optimal conditions to excel.”

After five years of record investment, Own the Podium became a household name following the nation’s overwhelming success at the 2010 Games where Canadian athletes achieved their goals of finishing number one overall with an historic 14 Olympic gold medals, and in the top-three of the overall Paralympic medal count with 10 gold, including three by cross-country skier Brian McKeever.

“Before our program had access to Government funding through OTP, we were amateurs guessing our way through the results while competing in high performance sport,” said McKeever – a 10-time Paralympic medallist, who became the first winter-sport athlete to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics in 2010. “OTP is responsible for growing the program by developing young athletes, and also increasing the level of our team to where we now have every athlete hitting the start line with a focus on winning.”

Building on the success of 2010, Own the Podium’s $36 million annual investment in summer athletes has positioned Whitfield and his fellow Canadian Summer Olympians to accomplish the nation’s ambitious goal of finishing in the top 12 when the world meets in London for the 2012 Olympic Summer Games. Canada also has a goal of finishing in the top-eight in gold medal count at the 2012 Paralympics. Meanwhile, the $20 million of annual funding for winter sport programs has squarely placed Canada as the nation to beat at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia; Canadian performances on the snow and ice this winter have elevated the nation’s ranking to number one with 35 medals – including 17 gold – in World Championship competition so far this season. Canada’s Paralympic athletes are also focused on finishing in the top-three in the gold-medal count at the 2014 Games.

“The Government of Canada has played a critical role towards ensuring Canadian athletes are amongst the world’s best through their support of the Own the Podium program,” said Merklinger. “Through Government support, Canada’s summer- and winter-sport athletes have come a long way in their pursuit of excellence. The support announced today sends a strong message that the Government of Canada believes in our athletes and coaches, and their performances on the world stage matter to Canadians. We are encouraged Mr. Harper has taken a lead in ensuring this success will continue well into the future, which in turn inspires a healthier and more active Canada.”

January 11, 2012 – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011-12 Para-Equipment Fund, presented by Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business, and supported by Sport Canada and the CPC.

The Para-Equipment Fund delivers grants of up to $5,000 to national sport organizations and provincial and local-level clubs to purchase adapted equipment – for sports such as wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey or sit-skiing, for example – to enable people with a disability to participate in sport.

In all, 33 sports organizations across the country, representing 21 different sports among them, have received a total of $116,670.

Grants are awarded to cover 50 per cent of the total cost of the equipment. The applicant is responsible for covering the other 50 per cent of the equipment costs, bringing this year’s total equipment investment to $233,340.

“We recognize that while it is important to support the Canadian Paralympic Team competing on the world stage, it is also vital to support introductory efforts to help more Canadians with a disability get active in the first place,” said Steven Keith of Petro-Canada, a long-time partner of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and presenting sponsor of the Para-Equipment Fund.

“Access to adapted equipment can sometimes be a barrier for people with a disability trying sports for the first time. We’re extremely proud to support this grassroots initiative and to help organizations make it easier for all Canadians to have the opportunity to participate.”

“On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, I’d like to congratulate all the recipients of the Para-Equipment Fund,” said Henry Storgaard, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “It’s very exciting to see the increase in the availability of adapted sports equipment, ensuring that more people with a disability can enjoy the benefits of sport. Thank you, Petro-Canada, for supporting this essential program.”

The next round of applications for the Para-Equipment Fund will be accepted starting January 25, 2012. (Applications for the Recruitment Programs Fund, which helps organizations provide positive introductory sport experiences for people with a disability, will also open Jan. 25.)

Please visit www.paralympic.ca/funding for more information.

2011-12 Para-Equipment Fund Recipients
– Association québécoise de sports pour paralytiques cérébraux, Boccia, Montreal, Quebec
– Tbo Tbon Wheelchair rugby, Montreal, Quebec
– Athletics NB Para-athletics, Dieppe, New Brunswick
– Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing – National Capital Division, Para-alpine skiing and snowboarding, Ottawa, Ontario
– Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan, Canoe/kayak, Regina, Saskatchewan
– Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association, Para-equestrian, Duncan, British Columbia
– Disabled Skiiers Association of BC, Para-alpine skiing, Richmond, British Columbia
– Manitoba Wheelchair Sports Association, Wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, Winnipeg, Manitoba
– National Cycling Centre-Canadian Sport Centre Calgary, Para-cycling, Calgary, Alberta
– NB Quad Rugby, Wheelchair rugby, Riverview, New Brunswick
– Ottawa Stingers Wheelchair Rugby Club, Wheelchair rugby, Ottawa, Ontario
– Pacific Volleyball, Sitting volleyball, Richmond, British Columbia
– Revelstoke Nordic Club, Para-Nordic skiing, Revelstoke, British Columbia
– SASKI Skiing for Disabled, Para-Nordic skiing, Regina, Saskatchewan
– Sledge Hockey of Eastern Ontario, Sledge hockey, Ottawa, Ontario
– St. Catharines Rowing Club, Rowing, St. Catharines, Ontario
– Variety Village, Wheelchair basketball, Toronto, Ontario
– Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant, Wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, Montreal, Quebec
– Hockey Luge Montreal, Sledge hockey, Montreal, Quebec
– Adaptive Sports Foundation, Para-alpine skiing, canoe/kayak, Knowlton, Quebec
– Balmy Beach Canoe Club, Canoe/kayak, Toronto, Ontario
– BC Blind Sports and Recreation, Goalball, Vancouver, British Columbia
– Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing – NS Division, Para-alpine skiing and snowboarding, Halifax, Nova Scotia
– Calgary Wheelchair Rugby Association, Wheelchair rugby, Calgary, Alberta
– City of Surrey Sitting volleyball, Surrey, British Columbia
– Cross Country Ski Association Manitoba, Para-Nordic skiing, Winnipeg, Manitoba
– Cruisers Sports for the Physically Disabled, Wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, boccia, Mississauga, Ontario
– London and District Wheelchair Sports, Wheelchair rugby, London, Ontario
– Pilot Butte Sledge, Sledge hockey, Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan
– Regina Ski Club, Para-alpine skiing, Regina, Saskatchewan
– Rowing British Columbia, Rowing, Richmond, British Columbia
– Tennis Canada, Wheelchair tennis, National
– Toronto Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair rugby, Toronto, Ontario

November 21, 2011 – CAAWS announced today that it is offering twelve grants of $900 to active girls and women and/or organizations offering sport programs targeted to girls and women.

For more details and information, please review the submission criteria, application process, deadlines, and frequently asked questions on our website HERE. You can also apply directly by completing the online application form!

Please note that applications will only be accepted between November 21, 2011 and December 9, 2011. Applications received before or after these dates will not be considered. The 2012 WISE Fund recipients will be announced in February 2012.

November 18, 2011 (Montreal, QC) – The Canadian Olympic Committee announced that Canadian elite athletes hoping to achieve podium results received a strong funding boost today, as well as an important new memorandum of understanding. The COC is proud to invest in the country’s greatest ambassadors – the athletes who stand up for excellence, healthy living, fair play and the potential of the individual. We are proud to invest in their Olympic dreams.

The COC will immediately inject a further $5 million for Own the Podium (OTP) programming in coaching, training and support, to help athletes achieve their personal best on the Olympic stage. This new investment brings the COC’s contribution in the 2009-2012 quadrennial period to $25 million.

This new memorandum of understanding represents a significant step to strengthen, coordinate and harmonize the high performance sport system focused on leading the creation and delivery of programs and services to increase podium results.

“This new additional funding agreement underscores our strong commitment to helping athletes achieve medal results and inspiring our youth,” said COC President Marcel Aubut. “Vancouver 2010 has taught us that sport makes our country better. Young people are introduced to new heroes to idolize and the country unifies behind them. We have an ambitious goal in London next year: Top 12 in 2012. It is the athletes who will deliver this historic result.”

The following are some of the new agreement’s highlights:
• Strengthened leadership to the Canadian high performance sport community at the highest level;
• Secure funding to sports/athletes with medal potential at future Olympic Games;
• Continued valued consulting and expert technical support to targeted podium potential sports, athletes and coaches;
• Improved alignment within Canada’s high performance sport leaders regarding their roles to increase efficiency and to streamline the efficiency and expertise of each of the COC and OTP;
• Opportunity to influence and lead the collection and dissemination of best practices and world-class technologies and sport science innovations.

“We are extremely pleased with this new agreement, which is a leap forward for sport in this country,” said John Furlong, Chair of Own the Podium. “It will enhance opportunities for our athletes to participate and excel in sport through leadership and strategic investments in our sport system.”

“I am ecstatic we have the full support of the Canadian Olympic Committee to give me every advantage possible for podium success at the London Olympic Games,” said double Olympic diving silver medallist Alexandre Despatie.

“With the Canadian Olympic Committee behind us, Canadian Olympians can train knowing that everything is being done to support us on our journey to Sochi in 2014,” said Freestyle Skier Chloé Dufour-Lapointe.

Own the Podium’s largest contributors of funding are the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, as well as additional funding provided by corporate Canada.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support Canadian athletes. We are very pleased to see the alignment of these two great organizations in supporting our athletes and coaches to continue Canada’s great Olympic Games legacy,” said Sport Minister Bal Gosal. “Today’s announcement will help build an even better world-class national sport system—one that will help our Canadian athletes succeed at the highest levels.”

The COC was the co-founding partner of OTP, with VANOC, Sport Canada, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Winsport Canada, and was the driving force to build that strong partnership into a national initiative, reflecting what Canadians want from Canada’s high performance athletes and advancing the “excellence” goal of the Canadian Sport Policy.

May 03, 2011 (Canmore, AB) – The National Winter Sports Association is offering financial assistance opportunities aimed at supporting the development of internationally competitive Canadian athletes in cross-country skiing. In order to apply for the available financial assistance, applicants must submit a proposal conforming to the criteria below.

A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Overview:

The “National Winter Sports Association” (NWSA) was established to assist cross-country ski clubs with proven ability to develop competitive skiers, coaches with a long-term development plan and elite individual athletes.

The Association’s funding assistance order of priorities 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).

Funding Assistance Disbursement Framework:

There will be a limited amount of money available for disbursement by the Association in the 2011-12 season. The allocation of funds to clubs and NDCs will be based on the Association’s priorities in alignment with the following:

1. The quality of the club or NDC’s proposed program, the club or NDC’s cross-country facilities and organizational support systems to deliver the program.

2. Funding assistance for career coaching education at the club and NDC level will be based on the coach’s written career development plans.

3. Funding assistance for individual athletes will be based on the published eligibility guidelines and will consider the long term goals and plan leading towards international success.

Club and Coach Eligibility for Funding Assistance:

1. Any nationally affiliated cross-country ski club, National Development Centre (NDC) or coach or potential coach from any Province or Territory in Canada.

2. The club or NDC must demonstrate a commitment to a minimum amount of security for the coach being considered for this financial assistance. This includes a minimum two year commitment with a benefits package that includes a medical and insurance services plan and contribution to an RRSP plan on a matching contribution basis.

3. The club head coach, whether presently employed or your preferred candidate, must have the following credentials:

– NCCP level 3 accreditation or is in the process of acquiring Level 3 accreditation by the end of the season (resume should be attached)

– A comprehensive plan outlining professional development and a career path; this may include advancing their education at the National Coaching Institute (NCI) and other career enhancing opportunities.

4. The club should be a parent supported organization including a cadre of volunteer coaches. An organizational chart should be submitted with the proposal.

5. Submission of a program description and an operational plan including how the club will accelerate the development of talented athletes who have the desire and skills to achieve excellence in the sport.

6. Submission of a financial operational budget for 2011-12 and a budget estimate for the club or NDC program 2011-12, specifying the club’s financial sources and the amount requested from the Association. Additionally, the request can include funding assistance required to send top athletes to essential national and international competitions.

7. Submission of a current list of the club’s Board of Directors, including home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses; a list of the number of club members and the date your club was incorporated as a non-profit society.

8. Submission of the names and ages of the athletes in your athlete development programs; this includes those athletes at the Learning to Train through Training to Compete stages of LTAD.

Athlete Eligibility and Submission Requirements for Funding Assistance:

1. Any athlete with a CCC and FIS racing license, with the long-term goals of achieving international excellence in cross country skiing, whose primary support structure is a Canadian Club or NDC. Athletes considered should be achieving the expected performance progression for their age based on the International Performance Benchmarks.

2. Submission of past racing history that clearly indicates progression towards international excellence in cross country skiing (can include any relevant information – OWG, WSC, WC, WJC/U23, Nationals, NorAm results, FIS/CPL points, etc)

3. Submission of a long-term development plan (quadrennial 2010-2014) indicating the amount of funding requested for the 2011-12 season and the purpose of the funding based on the gaps identified in the quadrennial plan. This plan should be provided in conjunction with the athlete’s primary coach. Funding will be considered for a number of purposes including but not limited to: specific training camps and National/International racing trips.

4. Submission of a budget for the 2011-12 season clearly indicating expenses related to the athletes racing and training plan and expected sources of funding including sponsorship and provincial carding/support.

Proposal Submission Details:

Submit to: Cross Country Canada
100-1995 Olympic Way
Canmore, Alberta T1W 2T6
Attention: Thomas Holland
Closing Date: May 30th, 2011
Notification of selections: June 30th, 2011
Note: Electronic submissions required.

March 01, 2011 (Bend, OR) – The XC Oregon elite development program based in Bend, Oregon has officially opened new funded level athlete applications for the 2011/2012 ski season. Complete information on the very simple XC Oregon application process is now available by visiting www.xcoregon.org.

Based on current budget projections and likely retirements by several top athletes, XC Oregon anticipates having the financial resources to support 2-4 new “funded” level athletes interested in racing full 2011/12 regional/national/international schedules. XC Oregon also continues to welcome an unlimited number of “associate” athletes to apply at any time with less stringent racing qualifications and expectations than the funded level. Per the program’s tradition, XC Oregon does not charge fees to any roster athlete for team membership.

Specific financial support for interested athletes is highly individual and often has incentives built-in for new athletes with high level credentials. We are very happy to discuss specifics with athletes as they work through the application process.

The first round of 2011/12 new athlete applications will be accepted until April 15, 2011. Athletes meeting that initial deadline will have preferred status for early funding allocations. After April 15 XC Oregon will continue accepting new athletes throughout the year on a case-by-case basis.

Founded in 1998, XC Oregon is North America’s longest-running elite development club with the same leadership and organizational design since inception. A 501c3 non-profit organization, XC Oregon is supported by several Oregon-based corporations and by generous Friends of XC Oregon patrons from around the ski world. Past and present XC Oregon athletes over the past 13 years include U.S. Olympians, World Championship Team members, World Cup skiers, National Champions, SuperTour Champions, World Loppet Champions, ASM Series Winners — and more. Our program has also proudly produced over two dozen alumni ski coaches.

Current program athletes live throughout the state of Oregon, with residency for a significant portion of the year in the state being one of the few requirements of the program. Coaching and program management is provided by program founder J.D. Downing on a year-round basis. Training and racing annually involves a mixture of individual and group training/travel — with the program adapting each year to fit the needs of our current roster. Year after year, XC Oregon continues to provide a proven support structure for independent and motivated young adult athletes that enjoy living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Although based in one general geographic location, the XC Oregon roster proudly features permanent and visiting athletes from around the globe. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for either roster membership or funding support.

XC Oregon also prides itself on having one of the widest age and ability ranges of any elite club. Whether a recent college graduate, a cross-over athlete from other endurance sports, a veteran athlete looking for a fresh start — over the years XC Oregon has welcomed athletes with incredibly diverse backgrounds.

After viewing the materials on www.xcoregon.org we encourage interested athletes to contact J.D. Downing with any questions you may have and to visit us in Bend sometime this spring as we once again enjoy the longest easy-access ski season in North America well into June.

Contact: J.D. Downing, Coach/Director XC Oregon jd@xcoregon.org

December 29, 2010 – NENSA’s newly implemented program will provide $7,000 for use in helping New England athletes offset expenses for the J1 Scando trip, U23 / Junior World Championships and the USST OPA cup trip in February. New England athletes making these teams will earn a stipend of $500 for the World Junior and World U23 Championships, and $250 for the J1 Scandinavian Cup Trip run by the US Ski Team. A total of $1,000 of the funding budget will be directed to the National Cross-Country Ski Education Foundation (NCCSEF) to help further fund New England athletes in international competition.

NENSA Competitive Programs Director Janice Sibilia is thrilled to see this program come to fruition and to recognize the hard work and commitment these athletes have shown to reach the higher levels of their sport: “I hope that this provides a good springboard from which to grow our ability to help get athletes to these events, while easing the financial burden on them and on their families,” she said.

For more information on the NENSA Funding criteria click HERE.

I hope this is just the beginning of further support for athletes who are striving to be the very best at this sport!

December 24, 2010 – The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), or carding, is currently being reviewed by Sport Canada. While there has been a considerable increase in funding commitments for sport by the federal government leading up to and following the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there has not been an increase in direct funding to athletes.

AthletesCAN, the Canadian Olympic Committee Athlete Commission, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee Athlete Council are calling on the Government to increase the AAP budget by 20%.

In order for Canadian athletes to continue to succeed on the international stage, we are requesting that the Government increase funding for the Athlete Assistance Program to account for cost of living increases over the past 6 years. This will achieve parity with athlete funding in 2004.

We need your help to push this ask forward.

What can you do to support this budget increase?
– Use the letter template and email it to your local MP and the Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport.
– Forward this email to your network and have them use the template letter to email their local MP and the Minister of State for Sport.

Please cc info@athletescan.com when you email your letters.

Click HERE for complete details, including a letter template and a link to find your local MP.