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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Who won? Scottish Curling Awards 2012



Ice Diamond – Winner: Judy MacKenzie

This award is to recognise an individual who has significantly contributed to the development and promotion of the sport. They are the unsung hero of curling who makes things happen behind the scenes. Judy has been instrumental in the development of Wheelchair Curling in Scotland over the last decade and has been involved in every aspect from Club Development to Coaching and International Championships. She has served on the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association since 2004, holding various positions culminating in her becoming the Chair in 2010. Judy has introduced many people to the sport through her work at the participation level with Braehead and Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club and also developed athletes through the performance ranks while continuing her coaching with the SWCA Development and Spokes Squads and Area Institute Athletes. As a supporter Judy has attended many World Wheelchair Championships and Paralympic Games and also attended the 2008 Championships as Assistant Coach for Team Scotland. Judy is pictured with sponsor Iain Baxter of Murrayfield Curling Limited who presented the award.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Team Canada 2013 player pool has been decided! No Armstrong, and a few surprises



In an email recieved by the blog this morning is seems a few questions have been answered for the up coming season.

1. Joe Rea will remain has Head coach for the up coming season
2. Jim Armstrong will remain OUT of the Team Canada line up
3. New faces will be added to the selection will NO old or expereinced faces being added

A mass email went out a day or so ago to a few players and this is how it read:


I am sending this letter to inform you that we are moving forward with a group of 8-12 players for the 2012-2013 season.

The current list of potential candidates, as of May 2012, includes; Darryl Neighbour, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet, Jack Smart, Anne Hibberd, Dennis Thiessen, Benoit Lessard, Mark Ideson, Mike Munro, Joanne MacDonald, Darwin Bender and Frank LaBounty.

As we get closer to 2014, there is an expectation by our funding partners that we will reduce the athlete pool in which they invest, therefore the candidates list will be shortened as our season progresses and as our budget allows, (note - our National Team Program funding was reduced by 15% for the coming season).  

Our primary focus will be to groom the strongest positional candidates for selection to the 2013 National Team. This will be accomplished through training camps, domestic competitions, and workshops. We do not want to disrupt your provincial teams’ activities; however there may be occasional scheduling overlap with one of your athletes.

We will continue to circulate relevant skills development information from our Coaching Staff and IST to you.

Team Saskatchewan, will be invited to a fall training camp, as winners of the Canadian Wheelchair Championships.

Good luck in your 2012/2013 season and stay in touch with us to let us know how you are doing!

Joe Rea          

Head Coach


Richmond wheelchair champion Vince Miele highlights to the News accessibility problems


Vince Miele, chair of the Richmond Centre for Disability and long-time advocate for the disabled in the city, is concerned about wheelchair access being eroded.

Photograph by: Alan Campbell , Richmond News



Read more: http://www.richmond-news.com/Photos+Video+erosion+access/6702103/story.html#ixzz1wRmcG2AD

Forty years ago, energetic 21-year-old Vince Miele’s life changed forever.

While out driving, Miele slid across some black ice, causing his car to spin out of control and flip over.

Miele, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, broke his back, severing his spinal cord. He’s been in a wheelchair ever since.
In those four decades, Miele — now chair of the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) — has witnessed a sea of positive change in the attitude toward and treatment of people with disabilities.


Much of that metamorphosis has arrived in the shape of greater access for disabled people, particularly for those in wheelchairs.

But it’s the very recent and steady “erosion of access,” as Miele calls it, which worries the RCD chair the most.

And that’s why this week, of all weeks — National Access Awareness Week runs May 27 to June 2 and the City of Richmond has proclaimed June 2 as Access Awareness Day — Miele wanted to shine the spotlight on things we all see, but miss every single day.

“We’ve fought for decades to get the access. But now that access has slowly eroded and we need to get it back,” said Miele, who believes between 16 and 20 per cent of Richmondites have some form of disability.

“For me, it’s now more about the erosion of the access than anything else. The access is there, thanks to building codes and bylaws nowadays.

“But all it takes is a change of ownership of a building or a parking lot and perhaps the new owner is not aware of the purpose of that access.

“What you will find then is that, whatever it is, has become inaccessible once more.”

To get a realistic sense of just what Miele was talking about, the News took a walk around town with the RCD chair, who Rick Hansen recently described as one of his mentors.

We didn’t need to go far before coming across example after example of the very “erosion of access” that vexes Miele.

Within one square block, almost all in the Ackroyd Road strip mall parking lot off No. 3 Road, Miele had managed to point out dozens of instances where access for people in wheelchairs had been thought of, but had been either poorly maintained or designed.

Disabled parking spots were too narrow; ramps to the sidewalk were cut in front of the parking spot instead of to the side, thus blocking off any access when the motorist pulls in; disabled parking signs taken away and never replaced and parking meters too high up for wheelchair-bound people to read.
“People with disabilities need to bring it up; we need to bring it to the attention of city hall or the owner or whomever,” said Miele.

“An example of this was a recent visit to a Chinese restaurant. I went to the washroom and there was an accessible cubicle, but it had been turned into a storage room of some kind; erosion of access.
“Able-bodied people don’t see it and I don’t expect them to see it. It’s only when you’re disabled that you start to see things.”

The more we moved around the parking lot, the more glaring examples of access erosion we encountered.

Someone with a genuine disabled parking permit was parked in a disabled spot with a ramp. But they were not in a wheelchair and their parking blocked off the ramp access.
“It’s a recurring problem everywhere in the city,” said Miele, who counts himself lucky enough to be a friend of Rick Hansen, who just completed his 25th anniversary of his Man in Motion tour.
Two wide-ramped parking spots in front of the Pricesmart store used to be marked with “disabled parking only” signs.

Now, two empty poles exist, causing people to park there illegally all day, every day, according to a supermarket employee, who remarked that the store has asked the landlord, Dorset Realty, many times in the last two years to fix the signs.

“These are great spots for us because of the proximity to the store and the wide ramps, but it’s another example of that erosion,” said Miele.

Inside the store was a different story.

Miele said he often shops at Pricesmart because of its accessibility and wheelchair-friendliness.
At the checkout, all the pin machines swivel up and all the way down, allowing people in wheelchairs to see the display properly.

“This isn’t the case everywhere. In Safeway, there are only two machines like that,” said Miele.
The washrooms, Miele pointed out, are “visible, with proper signage, nice and big and kept really clean.

“Cleanliness is important as we generally have to touch more surfaces than everyone else to move around in there.”

More blocked-off disabled ramps in the parking lot and on Ackroyd Road were followed by a parked delivery truck encroaching way into a disabled parking spot.

And then something as simple as a parking meter was too high for Miele to what the display read because of the sunshine hitting off it.

“I just gamble I won’t get a ticket. But, of course, I generally do,” he bemoaned.

“When I call to complain and explain, I’m told I won’t be charged out of courtesy, but I don’t want to have to make that call, I’d rather just pay for the parking. I keep asking them to make it accessible.”

As evident as the access erosion has become, even in one square block of the city, Miele still attests that Richmond is way ahead of many others.

“It’s way up there in terms of accessibility,” he said.

“I’ve traveled all over and Europe is way behind on this. But their buildings are hundreds of years old.

“Richmond gets better all the time, but work, as we can see today, still needs to be done.”
To halt and repair the erosion of that access, Miele urged everyone, especially people with a disability, to find their voice.

“Call RCD, talk to the owners or call the city when you see something, that’s the only way we’re going to make it more accessible,” he said.

“Sometimes people don’t realize their facility is not as accessible as they think. People in my position need to speak up about that erosion. If we don’t speak up, who will?”


Read more: http://www.richmond-news.com/Photos+Video+erosion+access/6702103/story.html#ixzz1wRlzDI97

SWCA Competition Entries & Development Program



Entries are now being taken for the British Open and Star Refrigeration National Pairs, closing date for both Competitions is 30th June 2012. Click on links below for Entry Forms.

British Open

Star Refrigeration National Pairs


SWCA Spokes Development Programme – Apply Now

 

The SWCA intends to build a strong pathway which delivers and aligns with the World Class Programme and which identifies and develops athletes.

The SWCA Spokes Development Programme aim is to invest programme support in athletes who are committed to the Spokes programme and with the prospect to progress to the World Class Programme. Inclusion on the SWCA Spokes Programme should be seen as “investment” for future potential at World Championships and for 2018 and 2022 Winter Paralympics. The ultimate outcome is to be able to medal at World/Paralympic level.

If you are interested in applying for the SWCA Spokes Programme please complete the SWCA Spokes Development Squad Registration Form and Mindset Questionnaire and return it by close of business on Wednesday 6th June to:


Please ensure that you have participated in a GB Ranking during the Season 2011-2012 or register for the GB Ranking on Thursday 14th June at The Peak , Stirling from 12.30pm – 2.30pm.

Click here for SWCA Spokes Development Squad Registration Form and Mindset Questionnaire

Click here for further information on SWCA Spokes Development Programme

Click here for further information on GB Rankings

Please bear in mind that the key question that will be asked when making any selection decision is:

“Is there realistic potential of this athlete being World Class Medal standard at the identified events”?

Richmond Sports Awards 2012



Each spring the Richmond sports community holds a banquet to recognize outstanding individual and team achievement in local sport. Categories for recognition include Male and Female for: High School, Junior, University/College, Adult, Senior; and Youth Team, Adult Team, Coach, Administrator, Athlete with a disability, and Special Olympics.

170 sportspeople and guests attended the sold-out Awards Dinner at McMath School on May 3rd 2012 to honour the winners and finalists of the 2011 Richmond Sports Awards.


Finalists for athlete with a disability were Travis Murao –wheelchair Rugby and

Darryl Neighbour-wheelchair curling


Winner

Athlete of the Year with a Disability (2011)

Darryl Neighbor - Wheel Chair Curling - Richmond Curling Club

Let's Play catch up!




  Parasport in Canada receives $346,500 investment in grassroots programs
 
Canadian Paralympic Committee and RBC Insurance Announce Recipients of 2012-13 Recruitment Program Fund



OTTAWA, May 29, 2012 - The Canadian Paralympic Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012-13 Recruitment Program Fund, presented by RBC Insurance and supported by the Government of Canada's Sport Support Program. This year, a total of $346,500 in funds will be distributed to 51 sport organizations across the country.

"It's inspiring to see the time, effort and energy these organizations have committed to creating and enhancing programs that encourage athletes to become more active in sport at the community level," said Neil Skelding, president and CEO of RBC Insurance. "We are extremely proud to be involved with the Recruitment Program Fund and believe that through this program, we will see more Canadians with a disability compete on the world stage and pursue their Paralympic dreams."

The Recruitment Program Fund delivers grants of up to $10,000 to sports organizations across Canada to support the creation of a new sports program or financially support the expansion of an existing successful program that provides a positive introductory sport experience for participants with a disability. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Recruitment Program Fund and to play a leading role in the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government is committed to promoting meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to become involved in and develop through sport, according to their interests, abilities, and talents."

Over the years, grant recipients have made substantial contributions to valuable programs and initiatives across Canada. One of them is Curl BC, an organization that wants to increase participation in wheelchair curling in British Columbia and build on the tremendous success of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

"Thanks to the Recruitment Program Fund, we are pleased to be offering professionally-coached and facilitated CAN Curl More: Discover Wheelchair Curling clinics across the province," said Scott Braley, CEO, Curl BC. "Our goals are to facilitate more wheelchair curlers joining leagues and to double the number of teams competing in the BC Wheelchair Curling Championships over the next five years."

"Making the benefits of sport available to everyone is important," added Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "To do this, it is critical to make quality introductory sport programming available as widely as possible to give those with a disability not only a place to play, but a positive sport experience. I would like to congratulate all the recipients of the Recruitment Program Fund and thank all those involved in the programs for their dedication and efforts in helping develop Canada's parasport system."

More information about the recipients and the Recruitment Program Fund can be found by visiting www.paralympic.ca/funding.

Click HERE for the 2012-13 Recruitment Program Fund Recipients.



About the Recruitment Program Fund (RPF)

Launched in 2010 (formerly called the First Contact Fund), the Recruitment Program Fund (RPF) is intended to support the creation of a new program, or go towards the expansion of an existing successful initiative providing a positive introductory parasport experience. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.

About RBC Insurance

RBC Insurance, through its operating entities, provides a wide range of travel, life, health, home, auto, wealth and reinsurance products and solutions, as well as creditor and business insurance services, to individual and group clients. RBC Insurance has more than four million clients in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Our products and services are offered through a wide variety of distribution channels, including call centres, retail insurance branches, independent brokers, travel agents, a proprietary sales force and the Internet.

About Sport Canada's Sport Support Program

The Sport Support Program provides National and Multi-Sport Organizations with financial assistance they need to develop Canada's amateur sport system and to achieve world class athletic results. This financial support strengthens our national sport system and benefits our athletes and coaches. For more information, please visit www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1267385942671.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

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For more information, please contact:
 
Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927  

Laura Ferris
Coordinator, Recruitment Program Support
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: (613) 569-4333 x233

Margie McNeil
RBC Insurance
905-606-1425
Margie.mcneil@rbc.com

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