February 18, 2016 (Ottawa, ON) – The Women in Sport Encouragement (WISE) Fund was created to support women leaders’ development and organizations that are currently offering or creating diverse opportunities and programming, along with positive experiences for girls and women in sport and physical activity building on Canadian Sport for Life. Ten recipients will receive a grant of $1000 each to support professional development or programming.

“CAAWS with the support of Sport Canada is pleased to recognize the WISE Fund grant recipients for their efforts in building leadership skills as coaches or officials and in offering sport programs that will give girls and women an opportunity to participate and develop. ” said CAAWS Executive Director, Karin Lofstrom.

The following recipients have been supported by their noted National Sport Organization:

2016 WISE Fund Recipients

• Canada Basketball – Toronto, ON
• Canmore Cycling Culture – Canmore, AB (Supported by the Canadian Cycling Association)
• Freestyle Skiing Ontario – Toronto, ON (Supported by the Canadian Freestyle Association)
• Judo Quebec – Montréal, QC (Supported by Judo Canada)
• Laura McPhie – Guelph, ON (Supported by Swimming Canada)
• Niagara Falls Rowing Club – Niagara Falls, ON (Supported by Rowing Canada Aviron)
• Ontario Ball Hockey Federation – Oakville, ON (Supported by Hockey Canada)
• Tonya Derkson – Winnipeg, MB (Supported by the Canadian Soccer Association)
• Victoria Synchro – Victoria, BC (Supported by Synchro Canada)
• Women’s Sledge Hockey of Canada – Edmonton, AB (Supported by Hockey Canada)

More About Canmore Cycling Culture
Sport: Cycling
Supported by: Cycling Canada

Canmore Cycling Culture is a women’s cycling club in Canmore, Alberta registered with the Alberta Bicycling Association. Some club members are involved in high performance competition, while others are pursuing sport and physical activity for fitness, health, personal satisfaction and social connection. The WISE Fund will be used to assist in two ways. The first is to offset costs for some equipment to offer greater experiences to members, as well as subsidize costs for winter indoor cycling sessions. The second is to offer a professional development course for 2 volunteer ride leaders. This course will provide women with an opportunity to continue to develop their coaching skills. They want to provide women of all abilities with opportunities to develop confidence, cycling skills, physical fitness and social connection within a supportive community.

For detailed bios on all of the grant recipients, please visit the CAAWS website here.