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Kiwanis Delta Memorial Sports Award

The Delta Sport Council is pleased to announce that thanks to the financial support of the Delta Kiwanis Club, a Delta athlete who is aspiring to National Team status will again be awarded with $1,000 award to help pay for their training.

The Delta Sport Council is pleased to announce that thanks to the financial support of the Delta Kiwanis Club, a Delta athlete who is aspiring to National Team status will again be awarded with $1,000 award to help pay for their training.

In the past, we are proud to have presented the first $1,000 award to Mark Pearson, Field Hockey and the following years to: Kate Murie - Women's Ice Hockey, Tanya McLean - Softball, Spencer Simon-Fencing, Eric Van Niekerk - Water polo, Cecylia Witkowski - Figure Skating, Karyn Jewell - Swimming, Joe Dart - Rowing, Sara McManus - Field Hockey, Sam Clare - Lacrosse and in 2012 to Danielle Kisser (para swimmer) Jonathon Kraft (swimmer) and Alex Farquharson (gymnast), each who have goals of Summer Olympics 2016.

Each of these athletes has been pursuing his or her sport for many years with the hope of competing internationally. Pearson, for example played for Canada on the Junior National team when he accepted this award and now is the youngest player on Canada's Senior National team. He won a gold while playing for Canada in the Commonwealth Games in 2006, played on the Canadian team at the Beijing Olympics and currently playing on the Canadian team and Sara McManus is playing on the Canadian team.

Delta Sport Council truly believes in our local athletes and wants to help them to aspire to reach their goals. One way we can do this is by helping them financially. We were very pleased when the Kiwanis Club approached us with this idea. The Kiwanis Club embraces our beliefs and challenges the other service groups of Delta to also give a financial award to our aspiring Delta athletes.

Do you know that Canadian athletes have to pay for their own travel costs even when representing Canada? Do you know how hard it is for sports groups to get financial support? Unlike many organizations, local and provincial sports cannot apply for charitable status and so are unable to give tax receipts.

When an athlete is carded they receive some financial support from Canada depending on their ranking in the sport but what about those who are still aspiring to be the top in their sport? With limited funding for sports, our talented athletes may be unable to afford not only their training but also the international travel that is required.

Although sport brings pride to a community, a province and a country, it is very under- funded and lacks the recognition it deserves. We realize that sport can be a financial hardship to individuals. We know that in order for athletes to excel in their sport a great support system must be in place. Besides the natural physical ability of the individual, an athlete needs to excel, have good coaching, good facilities and equipment - and the support of family and community.

The Delta Sport Council wishes to assist Delta athletes as they aspire for excellence by continuing to encourage them, promote them, and with financial assistance.

Please contact us at carlenelewall47@gmail.com or phone 604.943.0460 for an application.