January 18, 2013 (Leavenworth, WA) – For the 11th year, Leavenworth Winter Sports Club is producing a women’s only winter event to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds for The Wellness Place in Wenatchee. LWSC typically raises about $3,000 at this event. Women are welcome to cross-country ski or snowshoe on the 8-kilometer trail on Sunday, February 3rd. The Leavenworth Fish Hatchery hosts the start of the event while the participants use the back part of the Icicle River Trail. Those registered by Jan. 23rd receive a free event shirt and avoid the late fee. Registration is $16-$26. Day of event registration starts at 8 a.m. and the “race” starts at 9:30 a.m. Timing is optional per participant’s choice. A prize will be given to “Best Dressed Chick.” Refreshments will be provided along with many raffle prizes.

LWSC is proud to announce that our own local skier, Siri Healy, will be our official race starter. Siri Healy has been a resident of Leavenworth since 2001. In 2011, at the age of 34, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. She is a survivor and a true inspiration.

Please see the attached document for links to Siri’s blog, 2012 event photos and more. Thanks!

More about Chicks on Sticks 2013 HERE.

Read Siri Healy’s Blog HERE.

December 27, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – Want to make a difference in the lives of girls in sports? Fast and Female is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the efficient and effective management and oversight of the organization’s global operations, including finances, budgeting, programming, marketing, communications, merchandising, fundraising, and staffing. The Executive Director shall ensure that all operations are consistent with the standards set by the Board.

ABOUT FAST AND FEMALE
Fast and Female is a not-for-profit society started in 2005 by Chandra Crawford, 2006 Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing. The organization’s mission is to ensure that girls remain supported, motivated, inspired, empowered to stick to sports and the healthy lifestyle. Fast and Female fulfills its mission of “Empowerment Through Sport” by hosting fun-filled, non-competitive initiatives all across North-America aimed at exposing young female athletes to inspiring female Olympians and elite level athletes. The young girls who attend Fast and Female events today will lead in the future, may it be as athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents, and community leaders. For more information about Fast and Female, visit www.fastandfemale.com

ROLE
Executive Director (reports to President and Chairman of the Board)

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy/High level planning
– Oversee the short and longer term planning of Fast and Female programming (events, web-based programming, target groups ¡V youth, coaches, parents, ambassadors).
– Interfaces with Fast and Female Founder and Board to map out a short-term and long term strategies.
–  Plans out strategic initiatives and ensures optimal alignment with the interests of all Fast and Female stakeholders (participants, sponsors, donors).
– Develops strategic relations with key NSOs for the development and execution of programming.

Governance
– Plan out annual calendar of meetings.
– Prepare board meeting agendas and compile minutes.
– Prepare board meeting documents (management review, financials).

Finances
– Develops and maintains annual organizational budget as well as event-based budgets.
– Tracks and monitors all income and expenses on a daily basis.
– Issue cheques for invoices due.
– Interfaces with accountant to produce quarterly financial statements for internal purposes with the Board.
– Maintain appropriate relations with third party financial services (Moneris, PayPal, Eventbrite) for the collection of funds.

Programming
– Manage annual programming calendar.
– Establishes key contacts with local event hosting stakeholders.
– Effectively lead the planning, execution and debrief of Fast and Female events.
– Oversee the work of contractors involved in event planning, execution and debrief in other jurisdictions. (USA, Australia, Eastern Canada…) to ensure programming quality and consistency.

www.fastandfemale.com
– Develop, deliver and maintain web-based programming (Fast and Female TV, Fast and Female Facebook page, Fast and Female Power Hour, Fast and Female e-Newsletter, Fast and Female Amazing Tips Seminars for Parents and Coaches, Fast and Female Ambassador program).
– Track programming impact assessment (survey monkey, testimonials…).

Communications, Marketing and Media Relations
– Maintain communications and marketing strategy for the organization as a whole and for the specific programming components (events, Fast and Female TV, Fast and Female Facebook page, Fast and Female Power Hour, Fast and Female e-Newsletter, Fast and Female Amazing Tips Seminars for Parents and Coaches, Fast and Female Ambassador program).
– Manage and optimize communications channels (website, Facebook page, Twitter account, YouTube Channel).
– Ensure consistent usage of the Fast and Female brand guidelines.
– Develop and produce all marketing collateral (posters, logos, cards…).
– Develop and broadcast press releases relating to the organization and its programming.
– Develop and execute a strategy to ensure optimal media exposure for the organization and its supporters.

Fundraising
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful execution of the retail merchandise program (online and event sales, inventory management, product replenishing, supplier relations, pricing strategies…).
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful execution of the sponsor-raising and sponsor-retention program (maintain and update sponsor pitch documents, lead pitching initiatives, maintain relations with sponsors, identify prospective sponsors, ensure all contractual agreements with sponsors are fulfilled).
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful execution of the donor-raising and donor-retention program (maintain and update donor pitch documents, lead pitching initiatives, maintain relations with donors, identify prospective donors, produce reporting documents to meet donors¡¦ needs and expectations).
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful execution of in-king supplier contributors.
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful execution of event-based fundraising initiatives (Sports Day in Canada, VIP cocktails, silent auctions…).
– Develop a strategy and oversee the successful application on grants.

Office and Operations
– Interface with third party to secure office space.
– Oversee resource management for contractors when necessary (computers…).
– Interface with key stakeholders for ensuring that the organization maintains appropriate insurance for events, retail program, and other.
– Ensures appropriate insurance coverage is in place for the organization’s activities.
– Keeps abreast of legal and other liability issues that concern the organization.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
– 3-5 years of progressive management experience
– Academic background in sports management/ communications/marketing/business/special events
– Strong events planning and hosting experience
– Strong sport background (either as an athlete, coach, or as an event planner)
– Strong comprehension of the sports system
– Strong computer skills (Internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, website content management, social media platforms)
– Strong interpersonal/people skills
– Strong communication skills (ability to speak in public in front of large crowds)
– Knowledge of legal and liability issues as they relate to event and brand management
– Basic accounting
– French/English bilingualism a strong asset
– Must be willing to travel
– Must be will to work on weekends and week nights

DESIRED WORK STYLE
– Extremely passionate about girls and sports
– Strong ability to work independently
– Self-directed
– Team Player
– Attention to details
– Can-do attitude
– Flexible mindset
– Highly flexible time commitment
– Honest
– Dependable
– Visionary
– Positive attitude
– Engaging leader

COMPENSATION
– Contract position
– 4 days of work per week (32 hours per week)
– 2 weeks paid vacation
– Salary $40,000 per year (paid out on the 15th and last day of each month = $3,333 per month / $1,666 paid out every second week)

WORK LOCATION
Ideally Canmore, Alberta but open to other locations.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your resume and cover letter in complete confidence to board@fastandfemale.com prior to January 7, 2012 at midnight.

Salary Range: 40,000 per year

Full job description HERE (PDF).

December 14, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Looking to make a difference this holiday season? Instead of battling crowds at the mall, make a donation in your loved one’s name – give the gift of sport!

And feel good about your spending this season.

A donation to the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s “Pass The Torch” fundraising campaign will help support Canada’s next generation of athletes with a disability. All donations are tax-deductible.

Every child deserves the chance to play sports, however it can be expensive for kids with a disability to get started – and that’s something we can all help change!

Funds raised will help provide these young people with the proper equipment to pursue an athletic career.

DID YOU KNOW?
– A pair of hockey skates can cost $200, but a sled for sledge hockey costs $550.
– Good running shoes might set parents back $100, but a quality sports wheelchair to race or play basketball in is worth $3,000.
– Getting involved in able-bodied skiing costs around $800, but buying a sit ski can cost over $3,200.

By contributing to Pass the Torch, Canadians can play a big part in providing kids with a disability with the opportunity to take part in sports.

Help families connect their kids to parasport. Please visit www.passthetorch.ca to donate.

On behalf of Team Canada – Thank You!

November 13, 2012 – I’m about to board my second of four flights taking me from home in AK to Northern Finland, “Munio.” It’s hard to see on this map but it’s to the left of “Lappi” …. you may notice this is WAY above the Arctic Circle. Don’t worry, I packed some neon to keep things bright and happy….

My favorite wax tech helping me travel wax skis. I had this pic on Facebook earlier and many people are surprised by the number of skis I have.  Reality is, everyone has this many to be competitive at the international level.  Each one is for different conditions… different cambers, stiffnesses, grinds, etc.

Fast and Female Anchorage (last weekend) is deserving of its own post. I’ll try to write an update later. Basically, it was AWESOME and we had over 200 girls. Thanks so much to everyone who pitched in and helped out!

After the main event we took the opportunity to get a bunch of Alaskan women influential in sports together for a social/pow-wow. Women shared incredible personal stories and also gave updates on the programs they are currently involved in. We had everyone from Nina Kemppal (4x XC Ski Olympian) to Deedee Jonrowe (30x Iditorod sled dog racer) to Margaret Timmerman in charge of Tuesday Night races to Joey Caterinichio – US Ski Team Nordic Program Director, Rosey Grundwaldt – 2006 Torino Bronze Medalist, etc, etc. I wish I had had a tape recorder on the conversation because it was amazing.

Rob dropped me off at the airport last night. Always hard to say goodbye. He’s my biggest supporter. (Thanks for the help babe!)

Opp! They’re calling my name to board! Next flight to Frankfurt, then to Helsinki, then to Rovanemi & finally, a drive to Munio. I have a long road ahead!

More soon!
Holly 😉

The day before my departure I got this in the mailbox. I’m excited to be writing an international column for the statewide Nordic Skier Newspaper. In case you live outside of Alaska or don’t receive the paper, I’ve included my article below….

From Alaska to Europe & Back
by Holly Brooks

Eight years ago I moved to Anchorage because I wanted to live in a ski town. After growing up in Seattle, I craved a place where roller skiers weren’t considered freaks and I could see snow outside the kitchen window. I was ecstatic to find friends who knew of Swix Extra Blue and a spider web of fabulous trails throughout the city, complete with lights for skiing at night. I made my rounds of the local ski scene working at Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking, serving as the head coach for West High, spent six years as a coach for the Alaska Junior Olympic team and finally, five years as a fulltime junior and master’s coach for the APU Nordic Ski Center.

I started out racing in the local Anchorage Cup series; the Hickok, Pia’s Classic, the Sven, the Oosik, the Tour. Then, in 2009, I entered the American Birkebeiner and “lost” the race by what some called a “toenail” in a photo finish. In many ways, that race was one of the defining moments that inspired me to focus on skiing at a new level. Luckily my commitment and hard work was rewarded when this past May, I was named as an official member of the US Cross Country Ski Team.

Last winter I unexpectedly spent almost five consecutive months in Europe racing the World Cup. Needless to say, this was quite the jump from the Alaska community racing scene where I frequented the coastal trail, had a “handful of skis” thrown into the back of my Subaru or spent Tuesday nights doing intervals at Hillside with my friends. In all, I traveled to & raced in ten different countries and accumulated 26 World Cup starts. There were highlights such as my contribution to the best women’s 4x5k team relay finish in history and there were certainly low lights as well. Christmas night I was running on an icy road, fell & broke my wrist just four days before the start of the infamous “Tour de Ski” stage race. (I foolishly competed anyways!) This winter promises to be full of more tales and adventures. I’m by no means a seasoned veteran of the World Cup but I’m not a rookie either.

As you may know, three of the six US Ski Team girls reside and train in Anchorage including Kikkan Randall, Sadie Bjornsen and myself. We represent the USA, the State of Alaska and APU Nordic Ski Center on the International stage. This year World Championships will be in Val di Fiemme, Italy and in less than two years we hope to be “toeing the start line” at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

When driving up the serpentine roads to the racing venue in Slovenia or landing a chartered plane on an obscure military base in Russia to compete it’s easy to feel far from home and far from the people, specifically the Alaskans, that helped us reach the World stage. Realizing that, I’m excited to be writing a monthly column for the Nordic Skier that will attempt to bring stories from the World Cup into your hands. While I may not spend much of the winter in Alaska anymore I spend the spring crust skiing at Portage, the summer running in the Chugach and the fall roller skiing at Kincaid. While I love being on the road, my heart is always at home. I hope you’ll join me for the adventure that is the 2012-2013 World Cup season

If you would like to follow Holly’s ski adventures on a more regular basis, check out her blog @ www.hollyskis.blogspot.com

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.

October 18, 2012 (Oberhofen, Germany) – The International Ski Federation (FIS) and Viessmann, a long-time supporter of winter sports, are pleased to announce a great expansion and continuation of their partnership in support of Nordic Skiing. Viessmann, one of the leading international manufacturers of heating systems, will become the Presenting Sponsor of all the FIS Nordic disciplines from the upcoming 2012/2013 season onwards.

As Presenting Sponsor, Viessmann will be partnering with the FIS World Cup series in Cross-Country Skiing, ladies’ and men’s Ski Jumping, and Nordic Combined. In addition, Viessmann has sealed its commitment to the FIS Nordic disciplines by entering into a multi-year relationship as Presenting Sponsor of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, including the 2013, 2015 and 2017 editions in Val di Fiemme (ITA), Falun (SWE) and Lahti (FIN), respectively. The six-year extension of Viessmann’s dedication builds on nearly two decades of winter sports sponsoring and is well aligned with the company’s brand values of innovation, top quality, efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

“FIS is highly pleased to build on the partnership with Viessmann during the next six years,” commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “Our organization puts great value on nurturing long-term relationships with partners and finding creative solutions to grow the sport. We are looking forward to joining forces with Viessmann to seek new, innovative ways to engage Nordic Skiing fans.”

Since the 1993/94 season, Viessmann has been known for its commitment to winter sports and has formed a strong partnership with several national associations and international sports federations, as well as with different World Cup series. In the 2002/2003 season, the company became a major sponsor of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup series and two years later, its sponsorship was extended to the FIS Cross-Country World Cup series. With the launch of the ladies’ FIS Ski Jumping World Cup last year, Viessmann added the top level of ladies’ Ski Jumping competitions to its portfolio.

The multi-discipline, multi-year Viessmann engagement came together thanks to the great industry know-how and experience in Nordic Skiing provided by FIS Marketing AG, which is led by Christian Pirzer: “This long-term commitment is a milestone for Nordic Skiing and proof that the structure of FIS Marketing AG is able to develop successful partnerships which are ‘stronger and longer’ than anything else seen in this industry. We shall work hard to deliver the return for Viessmann’s investment and thank them for their trust.”

Recently appointed FIS Marketing AG Nordic Director Jürg Capol will lead the Viessmann sponsorship implementation and bring his extensive experience to the relationship. Jürg Capol served as the FIS Cross-Country Race Director for nine years and led, among other new ideas, the development of the highly successful FIS Tour de Ski multi-stage competition series which Viessmann has also supported from its launch.

May 14, 2012 (Denver, CO) – The 2012 SIA Snow Show, launching all that’s new for 2013, was held in Denver, CO earlier this year and SkiTrax caught up with many exhibiting companies to find out about their latest product offerings from the top end on down, including some fun stuff, for next season. Part 2 of our series of interviews offers a look at what’s new from from Rossignol, Atomic, Toko, and more from Swix – plus we stop in at the Madshus Aquavit Party…

February 16, 2012 (Steamboat Springs, CO) – Sven Wiik, a pioneer of “Ski Town USA’s” booming Nordic skiing scene, recently celebrated his 91st birthday and will mark the occasion with an open house at the Steamboat Ski Touring Center on Feb. 26.

Wiik immigrated to the US from Sweden in 1949 and went on to become the USST’s Olympic Nordic Coach. He and his family later built a Scandinavian Lodge, then called the Mount Werner Training Center, now named the Steamboat Ski Touring Center. The center is home to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), which has developed many Olympic skiers over its long history, including Vancouver 2010 Nordic Combined medalists Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane, who trained with the club in their youth. Steamboat has sent more skiers to the US Ski Team than any place else in the country and seventy-nine Olympians have accounted for 135 Olympic appearances

In 2003, Spillane won Nordic-combined 7.5km gold in Val di Fiemme, Italy, becoming the first American athlete to win a gold medal at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. In 2009 at the Nordic Worlds in Liberec, CZE, Lodwick won two NC golds. Then at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, Spillane won the U.S.A.’s first Olympic NC medal, winning silver in the individual 10K/Normal Hill missing out on the gold medal by 4/100ths of a second, the closest margin in Olympic history in that event. Lodwick, Spillane, Billy Demong and Brett Camerota won their first Olympic team medal, a silver. Spillane took home his third Olympic silver medal in the 10K/Large Hill event, while Demong won the gold in the same event.

Over one thousand athletes are currently members of the SSWC, training in five alpine and nordic disciplines. So when Colorado Springs and the US winter sports community celebrates Wiik’s this month, they also celebrate a legacy of athletic excellence he helped create.

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) is featured in SkiTrax’s Feb/Mar 2012 issue now on sale – for more info on the Steamboat click HERE.

May 09, 2011 – The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) set another attendance record at its annual conference, which attracts representatives from the sport, tourism and recreation sectors. Sport Events Congress 2011 was held last week at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa with 375 delegates in attendance. CSTA also marked a 50% increase in sponsorship support for the Congress.

“Year over year increases in Congress attendance, investment by sponsors and membership growth are key indicators that suggest that sport tourism continues to flourish in communities across Canada,” said Rick Traer, CSTA CEO. “Over the next four years, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games will generate an unprecedented level of awareness of the many benefits associated with sport hosting.”

Over 30 events rights holders/sports organizations participated in Sport Events Exchange, the events marketplace that remains the #1 ranked element of the Congress. Delegates were also treated to an off-site social function at the new Multi-Sport Centre in Gatineau where participants viewed sport demos and toured this new facility that is poised to host a number of events in 2011 and beyond. Another Congress highlight was the fifth annual PRESTIGE Awards luncheon, hosted by CTV sports personality, Rod Black.

The record crowd appreciated the variety of session topics, training workshops and dynamic group of keynote speakers that included Andrea Shaw, former Vice-President of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing for the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee who shared her insights into the importance of corporate partnerships.

Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, also reflected on the success of the 2010 Games and referenced the potential opportunities associated with future major events to be hosted in Canada in coming years. Ian Troop, CEO of the Toronto 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games, followed up with a presentation highlighting how the PanAms and Parapan Ams will affect Toronto and neighbouring communities from both a sport and cultural perspective.

Other influential sport business leaders to address the Congress included: Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association; Bob O’Doherty, Senior VP Games and Venues, Toronto 2015; Greg Stremlaw, CEO, Canadian Curling Association; Rick Janes, Commissioner & CEO, Canadian Professional Golf Tour; Jackie Stell-Buckingham, Director of Events, Skate Canada; and Don Schumacher, Executive Director of the National Association of Sports Commissions in the USA. A special sport marketing stream, presented by TrojanOne and led by Mark Harrison, President, rounded out the most successful Sport Events Congress to date.

Copies of the SEC 2011 presentations are now available on CSTA’s website (www.canadiansporttourism.com). More information concerning SEC 2012, already confirmed for April 18-20, 2012 in Richmond, BC, will be announced in the coming weeks as CSTA prepares to host the Congress for the first time in western Canada.

April 26, 2011 – Here are a few sport-related career opportunities, including Communications and Operations Coordinator with CAAWS, Strength and Conditioning Specialist with PacificSport Northern BC, and Certified Exercise Physiologist for the University of Manitoba. Read on and click the links for more details about these job postings.

CAAWS – Communication and Operations Coordinator
More info here

Pacific Sport Northern BC – Strength & Conditioning Specialist
More info here

University of Manitoba – Certified Exercise Physiologist
More info here

April 16, 2011 – Make sure that you get in the game and be a part of Canada’s biggest celebration of sport on September 17. The second annual Sports Day in Canada is shaping up to be a spectacular event showcasing Canada’s love affair with sport – from our youngest fledgling athletes, to elite world class competitors.

Get Your Sport Involved!
Brought to you by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport, Sports Day in Canada is a national celebration of sport at all levels in communities across the country. Again this year, local organizations, schools and clubs, big and small, are invited to host open-houses, try it days, competitions and tournaments in the week leading up to and including Sports Day on September 17.

CBC Sports will be delivering extensive coverage of Sports Day in Canada across the nation, and your sports event could be featured in the broadcast, earned media or on-line, so save the date, and start planning your events now – you don’t want to be left on the sidelines.

Sports Day in Canada is made possible by the financial support of the government of Canada through the department of Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada). For more information about Sports Day in Canada and to find out when you can register your event on-line, sign-up for our updates at www.cbcsports.ca/sportsday.