1. CALT
Information for the 2009 Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships which are being held in Regina this February can be found at; http://www.canadianlongtrackchampionship2009.ca/
2. Calgary Club Staff Member
Keltie Ross assumed duties as Club Manager of Calgary Speed Skating Association. This is great news! Keltie has been a speed skater with the Calgary Club for 12 years, and approached us about this position in October. She wants to contribute back to speed skating and help the Calgary Club grow.
Keltie has recently completed a degree in Communications (UofC), has several years of experience in the media, and works full-time at the UofC's MacKimmie Library. She is learning quickly about the Club and its operations. There is lots of work to do, and I know our members will give Keltie all the support she needs.
Please make a point of seeking Keltie out to introduce yourself and welcome her to this new challenge.
Blair Carbert
Chair/President
Calgary Speed Skating Association
3. Attention Coaches
The latest "Calling All Coaches" NCCP newsletter can be seen at http://www.tpr.alberta.ca/asrpwf/programs/sports/nccp/index.asp
New Funding for Potential Female Coaches
The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) is pleased to announce a new funding source for professional development for female student-athletes who are currently in their last year of their CCAA playing careers. The Female Student Athlete Coaching Profession Development Program is an extension of the successful Female Apprentice Coach Program aimed at targeting the rich source of potential female coaches in the ranks of graduating student-athletes and creating a new coaching position, the apprentice coach, to begin the coaching careers of the successful applicants. This new program is aimed at female student-athletes who wish to engage in coaching professional development opportunity; grants of up to $250 are available during their final year of play.
For further information on the Female Student-Athlete Coaching Professional Development Program please refer to; http://www.ccaa.ca/
The Chunky MVC: Most Valuable Coach
Each year, thousands of our coaches selflessly give of themselves to continually improve their team, our sport and their community, and Campbell’s Chunky and the Coaching Association of Canada want to recognize that effort. The winner will receive the Chunky MVC Tribute Day to be featured on TSN, among other prizes.
If you know a Speed Skating coach that deserves recognition for the outstanding work they do, then go to http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/products/ch_lineup_w.asp and nominate that coach to be the Chunky MVC!
4. Community Spirit Program
On April 30, 2008, Premier Stelmach and Minister Blackett launched the new Community Spirit Program to benefit the non-profit/voluntary sector. This program has two components – the enhanced charitable tax credit and the new donation grant program.
The non-profit/voluntary sector has expressed considerable interest in this program and applications are coming in every day. However, based on feedback, Minister Blackett has extended the application deadline date for the donation grant program from October 1 to December 31. The new application deadline date will also apply to future years.
For additional information; http://culture.alberta.ca/communityspirit/default.aspx
5. Speed Skating Canada News
Canada’s top speed skaters will begin racing for the first time at the Richmond Olympic Oval in the Canadian Single Distance Championships from December 27-31, 2008.
The Canadian Single Distance Championships are a key milestone in the national speed skating season as they are used as a selection event for the upcoming world sprint championships, the winter World Cup meets and the continental championships. This year’s championships are being hosted in British Columbia for the first time ever at the Richmond Olympic Oval, which will be home for the speed skating competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“This will be the first opportunity to see elite level long track speed skating in the spectacular new Richmond Olympic Oval,” said Ted Houghton, Executive Director of the BC Speed Skating Association. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the sport and cheer on Canada’s team as they build toward the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”
Canada’s powerhouse national speed skating team is enjoying another banner season with several podium finishes in the fall World Cup series, including victories by Kristina Groves and Christine Nesbitt.
