Through the ongoing financial support of the Delta Kiwanis Club. the Delta Spirit of B.C. Committee is pleased to once again offer a $1,000 scholarship to high level local athletes to help pay for training costs.
Past winners of the Kiwanis Delta Memorial Sports Award include: Mark Pearson (field hockey), Kate Murie (ice hockey), Tanya McLean (softball), Spencer Simon (fencing), Eric Van Niekerk (water polo), Cecylia Witkowski (figure skating), Karyn Jewell (swimming), Joe Dart (rowing), Shannon Herold (field hockey), Sara McManus (field hockey) and Sam Clare Lacrosse
Each of these athletes had been pursuing his/her sport for many years with the hope of competing internationally.
Pearson, who is the first-ever recipient of the award, was playing for the national junior field hockey team at the time. He is now a key member of the senior team, having participated at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 2010, along with the 2008 Summer Olympics. McManus, one of three recipients in 2010, is considered one of the top upand-coming field hockey players in the country, having earned carding status and a full-time spots with the junior and senior national teams.
Jewell, who has since moved to Quebec with her family, competed at the recent Canadian Olympic swimming trials. Clare, the 2011 award recipient, is enjoying a standout freshman season with the Simon Fraser University field lacrosse team.
The Delta Spirit of B.C. Committee truly believes in the aspirations of local athletes and wants to help them reach their goals.
The Kiwanis Club embraces the same beliefs and challenges other service groups of Delta to also give a financial award to aspiring local athletes.
Do you know of any Delta 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, 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, talented athletes may not be unable to afford their training or the costs to travel for competitions.
In the Spirit of the 2010 Olympics, the Delta Sport Council wishes to assist local athletes as they aspire for excellence by continuing to encourage them, promote them, and with financial assistance.
Send an e-mail to delta2010@ telus.net or phone 604-943-0460 for an application.
