Speed Skating Canada today revealed the five finalists in contention for this year’s Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award, a new annual award that provides funding to speed skating clubs undertaking initiatives that will help grow the sport in their communities.

 

Generously sponsored by Speed Skating Canada’s longstanding partner, Intact Insurance, this award recognizes the contributions of local speed skating clubs to sport and community development and the importance of grassroots programs to high-performance success.

 

Dozens of clubs from across the country submitted project ideas, ranging from the purchase of new safety mats or skating equipment, to safe sport initiatives and open houses to increase awareness of the sport. Submissions were evaluated based on the need in the local community, the potential for positive impact, the plan and resources in place to roll out the project and the ability to measure its success.

 

The five clubs in contention for this year’s award are the Annapolis Valley Speed Skating Club (NS), Calgary Grizzlies Speed Skating Club (AB), Club de patinage de vitesse Sherbrooke (QC), Club de patinage de vitesse Centre-Sud (QC) and Kingston Striders Speed Skating Club (ON).

 

The winning club will receive a $10,000 grand prize and a visit from two national team athletes during the 2019-20 season. The remaining four finalists will each receive a $2,500 cash prize, an amount calculated based on the number of medals won by the Canadian national team this past season.