Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 3, 2009The following is being
distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:
Special Olympics Board Members Make
Their Mark Nationally
Two Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador board
members, Dr. Mary Bluechardt and Dr. Carmel Casey, have recently
received National accolades for their contributions to sport and
individuals with an intellectual disability.
Dr. Mary Bluechardt has been named one of the Canada's
most influential women in sport for 2008 by the Canadian Association for
the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. Dr. Bluechardt
was one of 20 women across Canada to receive this honour and the only
women in Atlantic Canada.
As the only woman on the panel of experts advising
Canada's Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy, Dr. Mary
Bluechardt's impact on Canadian sport will be felt for many years. The
Director, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial University
in St. John's, is renowned for her international development research
that has advanced the lives of persons with disabilities through sport.
As she gives advice and counsel to the LTAD, which focuses on the
general framework of athlete development with special reference to
growth, maturation and development, trainability, and sport system
alignment and integration, her knowledge of human kinetics and of
coaching development will be invaluable to athlete development in
Canada.
Dr. Bluechardt has been a long time volunteer of
Special Olympics and served as Special Olympics Canada's Director of
Coach Development from 2001 - 2004. She started her tenure with Special
Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador's Board of Directors in October of
2008.
Dr. Carmel Casey is currently serving as Team Canada's
Chief Medical Officer as they compete at the 2009 Special Olympics World
Winter Games in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Casey is a prominent physician in
Gander and is known province wide for her commitment to accessing
physical activity opportunities for children and advocating on behalf of
individuals with an intellectual disability through her role as a
dedicated coach and local and provincial board level Special Olympics
volunteer.
The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be
held in Boise, Idaho, USA, from February 7 to 13, and will involve up to
3,000 athletes from 100 countries, as well as 6,000 volunteers.
Competition will take place in seven sports: alpine skiing,
cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding,
snowshoeing and speed skating.
"The accomplishments of both Dr. Bluechardt and Dr.
Casey speak volumes about the passion and dedication they have for sport
and the advancement of individuals with intellectual disabilities." said
Johnny Byrne, Executive Director of Special Olympics Newfoundland and
Labrador. "Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is fortunate to
have individuals of their quality in positions of leadership. Our
organization and most importantly our athletes have and will continue to
reap the benefit from their vision, drive and expertise."
For more information on Dr. Bluechardt's honour please
visit
www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?ID=2187
For more information on Dr. Casey and Team Canada
please visit
www.teamcanada2009.ca
