News release
For immediate release
Yellowknife Speed Skating Club awarded $1,000 by Intact Insurance, Speed Skating Canada’s major sponsor, as part of the Podium Tracker program
Yellowknife, August 21, 2015 – Yellowknife Speed Skating Club is one of 42 Canadian speed skating clubs to each receive a $1,000 bursary from Intact Insurance Company as part of the 2014-2015 Podium Tracker program.
Since the start of the Podium Tracker program five years ago, Intact Insurance has donated a total of $215,000 to Canadian speed skating clubs. The program tracks individual medals won by Canadian short and long track skaters in World Cups and World Championships. Each time an athlete steps onto the podium, Intact Insurance gave $1,000 to a local speed skating club in the country
“On behalf of all members of the Yellowknife Speed Skating Club, I would like to thank Intact Insurance for this financial support which will make a huge difference in the development of our athletes and sport”, said Karin Clark, President of the Yellowknife Speed Skating Club. “I would also like to congratulate all the members of Speed Skating Canada’s National Teams who won an individual medal last season. They made us all proud and, indirectly, supported the next generation of Olympians.”
This season, Canadian short and long track speed skaters won a total of 42 medals in World Cups and World Championships. Charles Hamelin and Marianne St-Gelais led the way with eight medals each, followed by Ivanie Blondin (seven), Laurent Dubreuil (six), Denny Morrison (four), Kasandra Bradette and Kim Boutin (two each). François Hamelin, Patrick Duffy, Valérie Maltais, Vincent de Haître and William Preudomme won one medal each.
“I’m very proud of my eight individual medals won during World Cups and World Championships last season”, said Charles Hamelin, the 1000m silver and 1500m bronze medalist at the last World Championships in Moscow. “But I’m also proud of the fact that I played a role in helping out local clubs across the country. These clubs are at the source of the athletes' development and passion.”
“We’re very pleased to see such strong results from the Canadian team this season”, said Intact Insurance’s Vice President of Brand Development and Customer Experience, Anna Rajpat. “It means we have been able to donate more money to skating clubs across Canada to help meet their training and racing needs and help build future Olympians.”
“On behalf of the community and speed skating recipient clubs this season, I would like to thank Intact Insurance for this financial support, which will help clubs in their daily operations”, added Speed Skating Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Moss. “The Podium Tracker program is unique in the country and is a great illustration of the passion and involvement that Intact Insurance shows for our overall Canadian speed skating program.”
Here is the full list of the recipient clubs which were each awarded a $1,000 grant from Intact Insurance for the 2014-2015 season:
ALBERTA
-Peace River Northern Lites Speed Skating Club (AB)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
MANITOBA
NEWFOUNDLAND-AND-LABRADOR
-Humber Valley Speed Skating Club (Corner Brook, NL)
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
-Yellowknife Speed Skating Club (NT)
NOVA SCOTIA
NUNAVUT
-Cambridge Bay (NU)
ONTARIO
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
-Eastern Kings Speed Skating Club (Souris, P.E.I.)
QUEBEC
-Les Lames filantes (Roberval, QC)
SASKATCHEWAN
More information can be found on Speed Skating Canada’s website at www.speedskating.ca or on the Podium Tracker Program at www.podiumtracker.ca/en/index.html.
About Speed Skating Canada
Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.
SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsor Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.
About Intact Insurance
Intact Insurance is Canada's largest home, auto and business insurance company, the choice of more than four million consumers. Its coast-to-coast presence and its strong relationship with insurance brokers mean the company can provide the outstanding service, comfort and continuity customers deserve. Intact Insurance (www.intact.ca) is a member company of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC), the largest provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada (www.intactfc.com).
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