(Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) presented by Investors Group, the annual recognition event for achievement in Canadian sport, will partner with Sport Manitoba, the University of Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg to host a revamped, community-oriented celebration of sporting excellence in Winnipeg March 23 and 24, 2007. Winnipeg won the opportunity through a bid process which included a number of other cities.
“Winnipeg, a great city in the heart of Canada, demonstrated in its bid a creative, enthusiastic and people-centred approach,” said Victor Lachance, Chairperson of the True Sport Foundation which operates the event. “Given its track record of success as host of a number of other high-profile sporting events like the recent Grey Cup, the 1999 Pan American Games, the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championships and the 2000 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, we are certain they will do justice to our new format and set the bar for future hosts.”
Traditionally held as a semi-formal affair, this 34-year-old tradition will now be opened more broadly and will involve a series of interactive experiences to engage the public in recognizing and supporting Canada’s top level athletes.
“Investors Group is proud to once again support Canada’s leading athletes, coaches and volunteers in sport,” said Richard Irish, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs and Area Marketing, Investors Group. “It means even more this year as Winnipeg is the corporate home for Investors Group and the event will take place in the Investors Group Athletic Centre at the University of Manitoba.”
The two day event will be co-managed by The True Sport Foundation and Sport Manitoba. Sport Manitoba will also use this opportunity to celebrate the Manitoba Sport Awards in concert with the national awards. The Sport and Active Living Centre at the University of Manitoba will throw open its doors to host the event. Destination Winnipeg will provide resources and services support to help make it all a successful and meaningful experience.
"Sport Manitoba is honoured and excited to play a role in paying tribute to Canada's premier athletes, their outstanding achievements and at the same time recognize Manitoba's best young athletes on the national stage," said Jeff Hnatiuk, President and CEO, Sport Manitoba. "We look forward to engaging the entire community in being a part of a sport festival and celebration of amateur sport in Canada."
The new format will cater to the grassroots level with a series of interactive events, such as: a breakfast with athletes and coaches, a community barbeque and an open house at the University of Manitoba’s Sport and Active Living Centre in which award-winning athletes will host workshops and demonstrations for sport enthusiasts. These events will be supported throughout by a variety of contests, mini games, celebrity competitions, prizes and sponsorship opportunities.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
On December 1st, The True Sport Foundation announced its call for nominations for the 34th annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA). The nomination period closes on January 15, 2007 and will recognize excellence in sport in 2006. The nomination forms are available at www.canadiansportawards.ca.
Finalists for each CSA award will be announced in February 2007. Winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony in Winnipeg at the end of March 2007.
Established in 1972, the Canadian Sport Awards are the premier recognition event for sporting excellence. This annual event brings together more than 500 leaders from the sporting and corporate communities.
About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society, athletes and the physical and moral development of Canada’s youth. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, the Canada Games and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
For complete nomination rules and guidelines, and more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca.
About Investors Group
Investors Group Inc. is a Canadian leader in providing personal financial planning services, and is dedicated to building lasting client relationships. Their primary objective is to assist Canadians plan for financial security by providing quality financial planning advice and products through a network of Consultants. For more information, visit www.investorsgroup.com.
About Sport Manitoba
The home of amateur sport in the province of Manitoba, Sport Manitoba is the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. The primary focus of Sport Manitoba is on the development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. Visit the website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.
About the University of Manitoba
The Sport and Active Living (SALC) within the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Manitoba provides first class athletic facilities that are all attached to one another making it convenient to move between venues. These include: The Investors Group Athletic Centre: the 70,000 square foot building has a fully retractable seating area for over 3,000 spectators, an athletic therapy unit and high quality acoustics. The Max Bell Centre has a year-round ice rink, an indoor track and field area and a research centre for athletic performance. The ice rink seats over 1,600 spectators and the Fieldhouse can accommodate 1,200 spectators for Indoor Track & Field events. The Frank Kennedy Centre (FKC) contains a fitness centre, strength training area, gymnasiums, squash, racquetball and handball courts, judo-wrestling room and attaches to the Joyce Fromson Pool.
About Destination Winnipeg Inc.
Destination Winnipeg Inc. is Winnipeg’s economic development and tourism services agency, an arm’s length organization led by a private sector board with core funding from the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. Destination Winnipeg markets the city and provides services to facilitate economic development and tourism opportunities for Winnipeg in collaboration with partners.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Robin Turnbull
Canadian Sport Awards, Program Director
416-604-0310
Kim Browning
Director of Marketing, Sport Manitoba
204-925-5606
browning@sport.mb.ca
