Some of the Yukon’s premier athletes were able to celebrate Canada Day under less financial pressure with the release of this year’s Yukon High Performance Assistance Program grants on Tuesday.
The 20 athletes, who have demonstrated their potential at provincial, Western Canadian, national or international competitions, will split $70,000 based on their gold, silver or bronze level status as well as their history in the sport.
“You have to be at a certain level and you have to progress up the system—you can only be a silver-level athlete for two years (for example) before you progress to gold,” said Vern Haggard, sport consultant with the sport and recreation branch. “The funding that is allocated is determined by the Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee and there are some athletes that are considered automatic—they’re above the bar and they get the maximum amount. And there are others that are gold level but get less.
“Theoretically there could be some bronze-level athletes who might as high or higher than silver-level athletes based on their demonstrated level of competitions.”
Also announced was $399,000 in Yukon Sport for Life funding, including $50,000 allocated for Yukoners in the elite-athlete program, such as Brittanee Laverdure, Bronwyn Pasloski, Mackenzie Downing, plus local Olympians Jeane Lassen and Zach Bell.
Another $20,000 from the remaining $349,000 has been designated to in-territory travel so athletes from throughout the Yukon can participate in championships and try-outs for territorial teams.
Athletes
Amount
David Greer (cross-country skiing) $7,000
Graham Nishikawa (cross-country skiing) $7,000
Danielle Marcotte (shooting)
$7,000
Alexandra Gabor (swimming)
$7,000
Janelle Greer
(cross-country skiing) $6,500
Emily Nishikawa (cross-country skiing)
$5,500
Dahria Beatty (cross-country skiing) $4,000
Ryan Burlingame (biathlon) $2,500
Anna Rivard (gymnastics) $2,000
Troy Henry (speed skating) $2,000
Colin Abbott (orienteering) $1,500
Lee Hawkings (orienteering) $1,500
Chelsea Duncan (curling)
$1,500
Jenna Duncan (curling) $1,500
Linea Eby (curling)
$1,500
Sarah Koltun (curling)
$1,500
Nicholas Koltun (curling) $1,250
Will Mahoney (curling)
$1,250
Thomas Scoffin (curling) $1,250
Mitchell Young (curling) $1,250
Total Athletes
$64,500
Official
Bonita Rogers (gymnastics)
$500
Provision for international representation
$5,000
Total High Performance funding
$70,000
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com