Newfoundland and Labrador's Top Young Athletes Honoured

More than 90 of the province's most accomplished young athletes, representing 25 sports, were honoured by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador yesterday (Thursday, May 20), during the annual Premier's Athletic Awards. The ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn in St. John's.

"Once again, I am privileged to recognize the extraordinary athletic accomplishments of our province's young athletes," said Premier Williams. "These young men and women are to be commended for their continued commitment to their chosen sport. As elite athletes, their drive and determination continue to be an inspiration to us all."

The Premier's Athletic Awards Program provides grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 to assist young athletes with the costs associated with training and competition at the elite level. The amount each recipient receives is dependent on the level of competition in which they are engaged and the training requirements.

A complete list of award winners can be found in the backgrounder below.

"Every year our province's young athletes continue to reach new levels of athletic achievement provincially, nationally and internationally," said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "As a Provincial Government, we remain committed to the development and support of athletic excellence. We want to provide our provincial athletes — particularly our emerging athletic talent — with every opportunity to reach their highest potential in sport performance."

Thursday's event also included the presentation of Team Gushue Scholarship Awards, valued at $5,000 each, to softball athlete Ryan Boland of St. John's and to Brenda Greene of St. Joseph's, who participates in the sport of shooting.

Mr. Boland is a mechanical engineering student attending Memorial University. For the past two years he has served as co-captain of the Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians National Champions and received all-star honours in the catching position.

Ms. Greene is currently in her fourth year at Memorial University, working toward a bachelor of science degree, with a major in biochemistry (nutrition). Last season, she represented Canada at several international shooting competitions, including both the World University Championship and World Military Championship.

Established in 2005, the Premier's Athletic Awards Program has provided more than $400,000 to support athletic excellence in Newfoundland and Labrador. For eligibility requirements and further information about the Premier's Athletic Awards, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/sports/premieraa.html 

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provides over $1.2 million in new funding to improve existing programming and introduce new initiatives which support the goals and objectives of the provincial recreation and sport strategy, Active Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador. Since the launch of the strategy in 2007, more than $70 million in Provincial Government funding has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development.

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BACKGROUNDER
2010 Premier's Athletic Awards Recipients

2010 05 21                                                9:15 a.m.