November 9, 2006 — The Canada Games Council (CGC) and the Foundation for Athletes and Sport Training (FAST) today announced the launch of the 3rd year of the Canada Games FAST Track athlete grant program.

This grant is delivered in partnership between FAST and the Canada Games Council. It is designed to fill a gap in Canada’s sport system by supporting the next tier of potential national team athletes who are not supported by the AAP. These are Canada Games-level athletes who are targeted and on the pathway to excellence at the national, international and Olympic team level. Grants will be awarded to athletes who compete in any one of the 37 sports on the program for the 2007 and 2009 Canada Games.

In 2007, a minimum of 60 Canada Games FAST Track grants, each worth $2,000, will be awarded to next generation national team athletes across Canada. In 2006, CGC and FAST received over 1,100 applications for the athlete grant, and 60 athletes each received grants of $2000.

“We are excited to offer this assistance once again to our next generation national team athletes, under our Dreams and Champions initiative,” says Sue Hylland, President and CEO of the Canada Games Council. “Cost often becomes a barrier for athletes in their training needs and attending high performance competitions. This grant will help to eliminate these barriers and allow the athletes to reach the next level of performance.

“It is the third year of this partnership between the Canada Games Council and FAST.

“FAST is committed to the athletes of the next generation who often fall between the cracks. It is vital that athletes receive direct financial assistance to achieve their dreams. We are thrilled to be able to help athletes along the way,” said Larry Cain, Chair of the board of the Foundation for Athletes and Sport Training.

Awareness of the Canada Games FAST Track athlete grant will be generated through National, Provincial and Territorial governing bodies for sport. The Chefs de Mission of Canada Games will be asked to circulate the information to eligible athletes. The grants will be administered based on specific criteria. Recipients will be identified using past performances over the last two competitive seasons to determine future potential for national level competition.

Due to the growing interest in the Canada Games FAST Track athlete grant, we are pleased to announce that for the first time ever, applications can be completed entirely online. Applications are posted on the FAST website at www.fastcanada.org http://www.fastcanada.org/ and the Canada Games website at www.canadagames.ca http://www.canadagames.ca/. The deadline for applications is December 6, 2006.

mailto:pkenny@canadagames.ca

Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. The Canada Games Days represents one of the new programs under the CGC’s between-the-Games initiatives titled Dreams and Champions Programs, which has received a generous contribution from Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada).

The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Foundation for Athletes and Sport Training (FAST) was created by athletes who have competed internationally to support developing athletes in Canada to achieve their dreams. FAST is the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is to support the developing athlete pursuing the dream of making a national team. FAST gives annual awards directly to developing athletes across the country. These awards help Canadian athletes on their journey to qualifying for a national team by putting them on the FAST Track to success.