June 6, 2008 – The National Cross-Country Ski Development Society today has approved a substantive contribution of close to $250,000 aimed at sharpening the high performance delivery of several clubs and club coaches in western Canada for the 2008-09 season. This Foundation, created through the foresight and donation by Bob Disbrow, has been established to assist cross-country ski clubs in western Canada to enhance their athlete development and competitive racing programs; the longer term goal of this investment is to help Canada be competitive at the international level. The focus of the 2008-09 disbursement is to strengthen the full-time professional coaching capacity of clubs in western Canada.
Clubs Selected for Funding based on submissions:
– Alberta World Cup Academy/Foothills Nordic/Canmore Nordic
– Banff Ski Runners
– Bulkley Valley Ski Club
– Cross Country Yukon
– Edmonton Nordic
– Hollyburn Jackrabbits Ski Club
– Sovereign Lake Nordic
– Strathcona Nordic
Coaches Selected for Funding based on pursuit of their Level 4 coaching certification:
– Dave Battison (Strathcona Nordic)
– Amy Caldwell (Callaghan Valley Training Centre)
– James Cunningham (CCC’s High Performance System Coordinator CCC – west)
Announcement of funding details: Official notification of funding support to these clubs and coaches will be forwarded by The National Cross-Country Ski Development Society principals: Kim Kawaguchi, Fei Disbrow and Don Willoughby.
Management of the fund: James Cunningham, CCC’s High Performance System Coordinator – west will mange the accountability and administrative aspects of the funding disbursements. James will make contact with all recipients in the week of June 16-20.