Freestyle Canada – Freestyle Canada announced today that 11 athletes from the National Team program are the recipients of a $3,000 grant from the Wekerle Futures Fund, named after Mr. Michael Wekerle, a financier, philanthropist and Freestyle Canada’s Premier Partner and Donor.
 

Rachel Anderson	Caledon, ON	Halfpipe
Robbie Andison	Oakville, ON	Moguls
Kris Atkinson	Calgary, AB	Halfpipe
Elena Gaskell	Vernon, BC	Halfpipe
Mark Hendrickson	Calgary, AB	Slopestyle
Zac Hoffman	Thornhill, ON	Moguls
Matt Joosten	Calgary, AB	Moguls
Brenden Kelly	Pemberton, BC	Moguls
Sam McKeown	Calgary, AB	Halfpipe
Brenden Reid	Langely, BC	Slopestyle
Matt Wilcox	Collingwood, ON	Slopestyle

The Wekerle Futures Fund is targeted to Freestyle Canada athletes who have been recognized as next generation athletes preparing for international level events, and ultimately the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games. These athletes represent the disciplines of moguls, slopestyle and halfpipe and are currently not receiving any financial support through the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
 
As unfunded athletes, these Freestyle Canada skiers pay directly for their training and competition expenses, a cost that will reach over $25,000 annually. A mixture of family support, private donations and local corporate sponsorships pay for the significant cost.
 
“The cost to pursue your dream of being an Olympian is significant,” says Bruce Robinson, CEO, Freestyle Canada. “The financial support made available by Mr. Michael Wekerle’s donation to Freestyle Canada will help alleviate some of the athletes’ current expenses.”
 
The Wekerle Futures Fund grant helps these 11 Freestyle Canada athletes pay for a portion of their out-of-pocket expenses as they pursue their dream to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games.
 
“The athletes on Freestyle Canada’s National Team are some of the best and most dedicated athletes in the world,” says Michael Wekerle. “I am pleased to be able to provide needed financial support to these young athletes so they may continue pursuing their dreams of representing Canada on the world stage.”
 
This year’s recipients will be travelling to Toronto in the spring to meet Mr. Wekerle and thank him in person for his generous contribution.

For more information and media inquiries please contact: 

Jenn Johnson, Director, Marketing, Communications & Partnerships
Cell: 403.797.3248
Email: jenn@freestylecanada.ski

Dominique Ladouceur, Manager, Athlete Relations
Cell: 514.576.2379
Email: dominique@freestylecanada.ski

Freestyle Canada is the governing body in Canada for the sport of Freestyle Skiing. With the support of its valued corporate sponsors along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, FC develops Olympic and world champions in all disciplines of the sport. For more information about FC, please visit www.freestylecanada.ski