December 04, 2011 (Hamilton, ON) – Collaboration between two local sporting organizations has resulted in $138,500 in Trillium Grant funding to conduct the Tri-Cycle Program expected to reach more than 10,000 participants in the community. CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton (NCCH) and Hammer Heads Triathlon have partnered to deliver the program which expands on the CHCH NCCH Cycling Program that has been delivered to local schools over the past 2 years. Working together, the two organizations will see the program promoted to a broader range of schools as well as at local community events.

The program experience will share the benefits of both triathlons and cycling through the use of computer cycling simulators and running assessments. Trillium staff along with Hammer Heads and CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton will be making the announcement at the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton (NCCH) headquarters this Saturday December 3 at 8:30am. NCCH is located in the Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster.

“The program designed to bring active, skills based education in a social environment,” said NCCH president and coaching director Lloyd Fairbairn. “Assessment results will be used to identify participants who will be offered the opportunity to join Hammer Heads Triathlon or CHCH NCCH Youth Programs.” NCCH is using its expertise to support recreational cycling in the community, an activity for everyone to participate in.

CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton is a not-for-profit corporation created as legacy organization following the 2003 UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Hamilton. The Centre is one of five nationally recognized cycling centres in Canada and is responsible for identifying, recruiting, testing, coaching and training high performance and development athletes in the Province of Ontario. The Centre is formally partnered with the Canadian Cycling Association, the Ontario Cycling Association, the City of Hamilton and McMaster University. Since its creation in 2005, the Centre has assisted over 20 athletes win medals at National Championships and/or become members of the Canadian National Cycling Team.

The Hamilton Hammerheads Athletic Club offers coached training programs for youth and adults in triathlon (swim, bike, run. The programs are tailored to the participants, depending on whether they’re looking for recreational fun or competitive training. The focus is “to be the best that you can be.” Learning proper athletic skills at any age sets the stage for a long and healthy life of continued cycling or triathlons. Currently the club offers swim practices four times a week in city pools, run practices three times a week and cycling once a week.

A leading grant-maker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.