Sport Training (FAST) today announced the launch of the
3rd year of the Canada Games FAST Track athlete
grant program.
This grant is delivered in
partnership between FAST and the Canada Games Council. It is
designed to fill a gap in Canada’s sport system by supporting
the next tier of potential national team athletes who are not supported
by the AAP. These are Canada
Games-level athletes who are targeted and on the pathway to excellence at the
national, international and Olympic team level. Grants will be
awarded to athletes who compete in any one of the 37 sports on the program for
the 2007 and 2009 Canada Games.
In 2007, a minimum of 60
Canada Games FAST Track grants, each worth $2,000, will be
awarded to next generation national team athletes across Canada. In
2006, CGC and FAST received over 1,100 applications for the athlete grant, and
60 athletes each received grants of $2000.
“We are excited to offer this assistance once again to our next
generation national team athletes, under our Dreams and Champions
initiative,” says Sue Hylland,
President and CEO of the Canada Games Council. “Cost often becomes a barrier for
athletes in their training needs and attending high performance
competitions. This grant will help to eliminate these barriers and
allow the athletes to reach the next level of
performance.
”It is the third year of this partnership between the Canada Games
Council and FAST.
“FAST is committed to the athletes of the next generation who often fall
between the cracks. It is vital that athletes receive direct
financial assistance to achieve their dreams. We are thrilled to be able to help
athletes along the way,” said Larry Cain, Chair of the board of the Foundation
for Athletes and Sport Training.
Awareness of the
Canada Games FAST Track athlete grant will be generated through
National, Provincial and Territorial governing bodies for sport.
The Chefs de Mission of Canada Games will be asked to circulate the
information to eligible athletes. The grants will be administered based on
specific criteria. Recipients will be identified using past
performances over the last two competitive seasons to determine future potential
for national level competition.
Due to the growing interest in the Canada Games FAST
Track athlete grant, we are pleased to announce that for the first time
ever, applications can be completed entirely online. Applications
are posted on the FAST website at www.fastcanada.org and the
Canada Games website at www.canadagames.ca.
The deadline for applications is
December 6, 2006.