Speed Skating Canada – Ottawa, January 10, 2017 – Speed Skating Canada and its major sponsor Intact Insurance today announced new guidelines on the improved Podium Tracker Program.

This year, Intact Insurance will donate $1,000 to the Podium Tracker Program each time Canada wins an individual medal at the short or long track World Cups or World Senior Championships. In addition, clubs will now be invited to submit their application for grants of $5,000 and be eligible for the grand prize of one $10,000 grant to help them tackle projects that reduce challenges clubs face, including purchase of equipment, coaching services, recruitment, ice time or other.

Grant applications are open from January 10, 2017, to March 31, 2017.  The list of successful grant recipients will be announced in spring of 2017.

Launched during the 2010-2011 season, the Intact Insurance Podium Tracker Program has donated a total of $285,000 to 148 speed skating clubs across Canada, including $70,000 last season, an amount that matches the 70 individual medals won by Canadian skaters in 2015-2016.

This fall, following the first ISU World Cups, Canada won 23 medals in short track and ten in long track for a total of 33 so far.

“We are proud to have been able to support young skaters and skating clubs across Canada in their training and racing needs and further promote speed skating in Canada with the Podium Tracker Program in the last six seasons,” said Robin Monniere, Vice President, Brand Development & Customer Experience, Intact Insurance. “The increase in grant sizes will enable winning clubs to do more for their clubs and their athletes, and focus their attention on what’s most important – developing the next generation of Olympians to represent Canada.”

“Speed Skating Canada is very excited by this new and innovative Podium Tracker initiative, sponsored by Intact Insurance,” said Speed Skating Canada’s Marketing and Sponsorships Manager, Peter Metuzals. “Not only is this a unique program within the Canadian Sports system; it is a program that will provide support to clubs across the country and will continue to pursue the objectives of helping Speed Skating Canada to maintain its status as a global leader. The involvement of Intact Insurance in making this program a reality and helping to support clubs throughout Canada shows with how much passion they want to help clubs create dynamic programs that will benefit the foundation of the sport.”

Application forms and additional information regarding the Podium Tracker Program are available on Speed Skating Canada’s website at http://www.speedskating.ca/resources/clubs/podium-tracker.

More details are available on Speed Skating Canada’s website at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance and Samsung, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC 

Hazel Tan

Manager, External Communications

Intact Insurance

Email: Hazel.Tan@Intact.net

Phone: 416 341-1464 ext. 48073

Website: Intact.ca