Wednesday January 8, 2003 11:00 am
Gatineau Park. Visitor Centre, Lynx room
33 Scott Road
Chelsea Que. 827-2020
Cross Country Canada opens Canada's newest National Athlete Development Centre for cross-country skiing.
Cross Country Canada and Carleton University will announce today the opening of Canada's newest national athlete development centre (NADC) for cross-country skiing. Recent success by Canadian skiers on the international stage, and continued strength of local cross-country ski programs in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, have convinced Cross Country Canada to expand its network of national training centres into the National Capital Region.
The NADC Ottawa-Gatineau supports Cross Country Canada's 2010 program to prepare Olympic caliber athletes for the 2010 Winter Olympics by providing enhanced coaching and race support for 18-23 year old athletes. The NADC's provide a vital step in the development of Olympic caliber athletes as they progress from the local club level through to the National Ski Team.
Carleton University has joined forces with Cross Country Canada, local ski clubs in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, and the National Capital District of Cross Country Ontario, by providing funding and facilities to the training centre. According to Gail Blake, Assistant Director of Athletics at the University 'The existence of the NADC in partnership with the University is seen as vital to the sport, and complements the University's decision to focus on skiing through its varsity Ravens Ski Team'.
The training centre has recruited 11 highly talented athletes, and hired a full time coach. The skiers have recently returned from training camps and competitions in BC, and are preparing for upcoming races in Ontario and Quebec.
The NADC Board of Directors, led by Jim McCarthy, are actively pursuing sponsorship arrangements to help offset training centre expenses and travel fees largely born by the participating athletes.
Additional information and athlete profiles may be found at the NADC web site: www.nadc-ottawa-gatineau.ca.
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