Cross Country Canada —Unique Ski Fit North program provides Alberta children opportunities to increase physical and mental health—

 

CANMORE, Alta.—Double Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott, will pull some of Canada’s greatest names in sport out of their comfort zone to join her and a contingent of First Nations youth for a celebratory day of cross-country skiing, culture and friendship, at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Wednesday, March 16.

 

Scott will gather some of Canada’s greatest medal-winning Olympic sport heroes including: Clara Hughes (speed skating); Mellisa Hollingsworth (skeleton); Duff Gibson (skeleton); Sara Renner (cross-country skiing); Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk (golf); and Kelly VanderBeek (alpine skiing) who will spend the day learning to cross-country ski with the Grades 5-6 students from Tsuu T’ina, Morley, Eden Valley and Big Horn reserve schools.

 

The event is being held as part of Ski Fit North Alberta – a program Scott leads in partnership with Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada and Cross Country Alberta, which is supported by ATCO. Ski Fit North Alberta delivers programming that provides opportunities for activity and inspiration with the goal of fostering health and wellness, building leadership skills and creating meaningful, lasting change. Using games, wellness-based activities, nutritional education, motivational speakers and multi-community festival events, SFNA exposes children and youth to sport and activity in a fun, supportive environment designed to maximize impact and long-term results.

 

Over the last six years, the most accomplished Olympic cross-country skier in Canada has travelled to communities across Alberta co-delivering the program to children in remote corners of the province. 

 

Ski Fit North Alberta focuses on Canadian Indigenous youth between the ages of six and 15. Scott, of Vermilion, Alta., helps recruit and retain children to the sport of cross-country skiing in an effort to increase awareness, support youth development and strengthen Canada’s junior athlete talent pool.

 

Who:              Grade 5-6 students from Morley, Exshaw, Eden Valley, Big Horn and Tsuu T’ina Reserve schools

                        Beckie Scott

                        Clara Hughes

                        Sara Renner

                        Duff Gibson

                        Mellisa Hollingsworth

                        Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk

                        Kelly VanderBeek

                        Justin Wadsworth

                        Milaine Theriault          

                                               

When:             Wednesday, March 16, 2016

                        Time: 10am-2pm

                       

                        Approximate timeline

                        9:30-10:00       Arrivals

                        10:00-10:30     Welcome, Elder blessing, drum and dance performances by Morley

                                                First Nations performers

                        10:30               Groups will organize, get equipment and head out to ski

                        10:45-12:30     Skiing and games outside

                        12:30-1:30       Lunch and gift presentations

                        2:00                 Departures

                       

Where:           Canmore Nordic Centre

                        Haig Room – Bill Warren Training Centre

                       

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan                                                  

Media and Public Relations                           

Cross Country Canada                                  

T: 403-620-8731