January 27, 2014 – Making it as an athlete is tough. It takes hard work, patience, dedication and, above all, money. For aspiring cyclists, it isn’t a matter of big bucks for a personal coach and specialized training sessions. For many, it’s a challenge to raise enough money to get to the races that help them progress.That’s why the National Capital Region bursary has been raising funds to help up-and-coming cyclists overcome some of these basic hurdles for the last 15 years.The bursary, run by Ross Knight of Seenite Sports, provides funding to young cyclists who display both outstanding athletic ability and the desire to achieve greater goals.  Since its conception in 2000 the bursary has granted more than $36,000 to 39 athletes.

Continued success of the bursary is only possible thanks to the support of our contributors, including The Cyclery Tour de France Pool, the Ride with Rendall Gatineau Challenge, the Ontario Cycling Association, Bike Race Ottawa, the Ottawa Bicycle Club, and more than 50 smaller groups and participants of the Seenite Sports weekly criterium series who contribute anything from $10 to more than $100 each year.

Seenite Sports is proud to announce the 2014 bursary recipients:

Additional information about the recipients is available below.Quotes from the recipients:Emily Flynn: “I would like to thank the Ottawa cycling community so much for this bursary. It means so much to a working student to be able to not have to worry as much and be able to continue to pursue my passion for cycling.”

Mike Woods: I’m so grateful to the Ottawa cycling community for all the support and help I have received over the course of my career, and I feel so lucky and honoured to be the recipient of the bursary. A big thanks to Ross and all else involved.”

Braydon Bourne: “I’m very proud to have been selected as a recipient of the 2014 NCR bursary. Ottawa has a great cycling community, and I have learned a lot from many people within it. I am currently devoting my winter to a 3 month training camp in Tucson before kicking off my race season overseas. Thanks to everyone, see you soon! ”

The Bursary committee would like to thank all the sponsors for their generous contributions that give these athletes the financial means to compete in events beyond the local area and, more importantly, the knowledge that they have the backing of their local cycling community.

For more information on the bursary visit the Seenite Sports web site at seenite.org/bursary.htm

The Bursary committee is composed of Ross Knight, Doug Corner and Kris Westwood.

For media inquiries, please contact Kris Westwood at 613-286-8450 or kriswestwood@gmail.com.