February 28/09 8:41 am - CAAWS Announces 2009 WISE Fund Recipients

Posted by Editor on 02/28/09
 

Twelve individuals/organizations are this year's recipients of CAAWS' WISE Fund grants of $900. The WISE (Women in Sport Encouragement) Fund was developed in response to the ongoing financial need within the sport community. The Fund is made available on an annual basis to assist active girls and women and/or organizations offering sport programs targeted to girls and women. The 2009 Fund is the sixth time CAAWS (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport) has offered the grant program. Since the program's inception in 2004, CAAWS has supported 68 individuals and organizations through this fund, dispersing over $59,000 to members of the sport community. Look for details on the next opportunity to apply for the Fund posted on CAAWS' website in the fall of 2009.

2009 WISE Fund Recipients

• Lisa-Marie Vowk, Optimum Health & Fitness - Whitehorse, Yukon
supported by Canadian Soccer Association
• Alberta Freestyle Skiing Association - Calgary, Alberta
supported by Canadian Freestyle Skiing Association
• Calgary Polo Splash -Calgary, Alberta
supported by Water Polo Canada
• June Zimmer - Regina, Saskatchewan
supported by Canadian Soccer Association
• Regina Wheelchair Rugby Club - Regina, Saskatchewan
supported by Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
• Jill Twordik - Brandon, Manitoba
supported by Softball Canada
• Kim Thompson - Orleans, Ontario
supported by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS)
• Amanda Fader - Russell, Ontario
supported by Athletics Canada
• Performance Synchro - Laval, Quebec
supported by Synchro Canada
• Celine Guillemart - Mont Joli, Quebec
supported by Canadian Fencing Federation
• Moncton Kiwanis Minor Basketball Association - Moncton, New Brunswick
supported by Canada Basketball
• Bible Hill Junior High School - Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
supported by Canadian Cycling Association

Bible Hill Junior High has identified a need in their community to create inter-scholastic sport programs for the young female population. BHJHS' new mountain bike club has attracted students who do not typically participate in school sport and has elevated activity levels for many of its students who would not otherwise be active. However, the mountain bike program has attracted mainly male students to date and BHJHS hopes to change this trend. One of the barriers to girls participating in the school mountain bike club is that many do not own a bike, so BHJHS plans to utilize the WISE Fund to purchase two girls mountain bikes in the hopes of attracting more girls into the program.