PISE – PISE Receives Prestigious Award from Rowing Canada Aviron

 

(Victoria, BC – February 2, 2016) Rowing Canada Aviron presented PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence) with the prestigious John Anderson “Corporate Partner of the Year Award” on Saturday, January 30, 2016 in Ottawa.

 

This award is named in honour of John Anderson who was a valued RCA Board Member and Vice President of Marketing for many years, and is presented by the RCA Board of Directors to recognize a corporation or corporations that have contributed in a significant manner to the development of Canadian rowing.

 

“I was honoured to present this award on behalf of RCA, recognizing PISE’s significant contribution to the Para-Rowing Program,” said Donna Atkinson, chief executive officer, Rowing Canada Aviron. “Due to a loss of program support, only a few years ago it seemed like the RCA – Para-Rowing Program and its aspirations would go unrealized. With no actual performance history – only verbal reassurances and athlete test scores – RCA asked PISE to take a risk and support what we believed was a boat capable of qualifying for the Paralympics and medalling at the World Championships. PISE stepped up, and with their full support, Canadians will now be cheering on our para-rowing athletes in Rio.”

 

“We are very honoured to receive this award.” stated Robert Bettauer, CEO of PISE. “We couldn’t be more delighted to see the success of the Para-Rowing Team and to have played a key role in the establishment of the program, and the support to the athletes. It is part of our mandate to help develop and support high performance sport in our region, levering our resources with great partnerships such as with Rowing Canada towards collective goals of excellence.”

 

In operation since January 2^nd, 2015, the National Para-Rowing Training Centre provides a centralized centre for up to ten para-athletes. The training centre was made possible in large part by the support of PISE. The contribution includes world class training facilities and access to experts in the areas of strength and conditioning, medical and athlete services, and amounts to $50,000 worth of support to the aspiring Paralympic rowers. With the support of PISE, along with funding from Sport Canada, Own The Podium, CSI Pacific and sponsor, Pride Mobility, the new National Para-Rowing Training Centre in Victoria has already gone a long way to helping the athletes reach their potential, resulting in the ultimate goal of competing in Rio.

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For more information contact:

 

Kate Bascom

Communications and Media Relations Coordinator

Rowing Canada Aviron

kbascom@rowingcanada.org

Phone: 250.220.2577

 

Background

 

Para-Rowing at the Paralympic Games
 

• It was announced in 2005 that Para-Rowing would make its Paralympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Games
• Canada has fielded a Para-Rowing Team to the 2008 Beijing and London 2012 Paralympic Games and are yet to win a Paralympic medal
• Para-Rowing has been included at the World Rowing Championships since 2002 and Canada won gold in 2010 in the LTAMix4+
• The events at the Paralympic Regatta are:
  • ASM1x: Arms and Shoulders men’s single
  • ASW1x: Arms and Shoulder women’s single
  • TAMix2x: Trunk and Arms mixed double
  • LTAMix4+: Leg, Trunk & Arms mixed coxed four

• Races at both the Paralympics and World Rowing Championships are held over 1000m

About Rowing Canada Aviron
 

Rowing Canada Aviron is a non-profit organization recognized by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing in Canada. Rowing Canada Aviron represents 15,000 registered members of all levels and ages, whether they row for recreation, health and fitness or competition. 

rowingcanada.org | twitter.com/rowingcanada | facebook.com/rowingcanada

 

About PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence)

 

PISE is a world class sport institute and an independent not-for-profit organization located on the Camosun College campus on Interurban Road. As a legacy of the 1994 Commonwealth Games, the Institute brings together excellence in community sport and active healthy living development, sport and exercise education, sport technology research, and world-class athlete performance services. PISE, in collaboration with its partners the Canadian Sport Institute and Camosun College, serves the community, students, Canadian international high performance athletes and coaches from across the region, province and country within a state-of-the-art facility and throughout the CRD region.  piseworld.com