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Cross Connections
September 2009 Co-editors: Chris Dornan, Cathy Sturgeon and Nadia Smith |
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Thank you and happy reading!
Nadia Smith
Assistant Administrator
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Davin MacIntosh Named New Executive Director of CCC
Davin MacIntosh will play a key role in ensuring the continued growth of Canada's cross-country skiing sport system well beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. MacIntosh was hired as Cross Country Canada's Executive Director in September.
MacIntosh has practised law with the major Calgary-based firm of Fraser Milner Casgrain for the past five years, developing an extensive network of contacts with leaders in the business and financial services industries. He has also provided leadership and legal advice to the boards of several not-for-profit entities, and worked cooperatively with leaders in municipal and provincial governments. He earned his Master of Laws degree from the University of Calgary in 2009.
No stranger to competitive cross-country skiing, Macintosh was a national development team skier for Canada from 1995 to 1998, and has represented Canada at the World Junior Championships.
"Davin is a highly-motivated individual who brings a wealth of knowledge and acumen to the business of Canadian sport," said Jim McCarthy, president, Cross Country Canada. "He stands out on the basis of his unique mix of experiences, his leadership qualities and his profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our sport."
"I am honoured to be given this opportunity to lead and help develop a sport system that will capitalize on the exceptional potential of cross-country skiing for Canadians at large, and to enhance the success of elite athletes and coaches in their quest for international podiums," said MacIntosh. "I believe the combination of my not-so-distant experience with life as an athlete in the system and my current familiarity with the business world will help deliver the resources Canadian athletes require to be the best."
Working with a team of highly-dedicated individuals at Cross Country Canada, MacIntosh will develop a long-term strategic plan that will focus on facilitating the development of the sport from the grassroots to elite levels.
"During my days as an athlete, I experienced the nexus between athlete and sport organization first-hand," said MacIntosh. "I realize how imperative a strong governing body is for both the development of the sport and individual athlete performance."
MacIntosh commenced his role as Executive Director, working out of the Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore, Alta., on September 14th. |
Para-Nordic Profile: "Long Term Athlete Development Guide For Athletes with a Disability" (LTAD) by: Andrea Smith
Cross Country Canada recently published a document called "Long Term Athlete Development Guide For Athletes with a Disability". The objective of this guide, along with Cross Country Canada's National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for coaches of athletes with a disability, is to encourage a well-informed, coordinated approach to building an effective athlete development system for cross-country skiers with a physical disability - both congenital physical disabilities and physical disabilities acquired
later in life.
The guidebook is being distributed to division offices, rehabilitation centres, clubs, coaches and athletes throughout Canada to help raise awareness about the cross-country ski programs that are available, and to provide a technical and programming resource for those who are directly involved with athlete development.
For more information contact your Division Office http://www.cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=cat&ID=29&lan=0. |
Club Volunteer of the Month: Kanata Nordic's "Super K" (Kaleigh Maclaren, ON)
The success of most, if not all, Nordic ski Clubs is due to the combined efforts of many volunteers. In addition to the volunteer coaches, it takes many more behind the scenes volunteers contributing countless hours to the organization and administration of Club business and activities. Occasionally there is someone that goes above and beyond what might normally be expected, and although their efforts are recognized, what is less tangible is the efforts of others who have been infected by the enthusiasm and efforts of the this one volunteer.
Kanata Nordic's Kaleigh Maclaren joined Kanata Nordic as a Bunnyrabbit, and progressed through the Jackrabbit program only a few years ago. Early in her high school career, Kaleigh needed to fulfill the mandatory 40 hour volunteer commitment required of all Ontario high school students. As her father was already treasurer for the Club, Kaleigh volunteered to help with the Saturday afternoon Jackrabbit Program. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm quickly saw her responsibilities grow to Club Registrar, Membership Coordinator and communications contact. If this was not enough in her four years as a volunteer she initiated club social barbecues, organized the club's first-ever banquet, and was instrumental in the creation of the club's on-line registration system and newsletter. All this was done while juggling high school responsibilities and other volunteer commitments within the community! Kaleigh's efforts, for the most part, have been "behind the scenes", so little is known about the time that she has spent on helping the club grow and improve. Without her efforts the club may not be what it is today. Many thanks, Super-K, for your commitment, enthusiasm and for being part of Kanata Nordic. |
All Aboard the Medal Express! CCC along with Canadian Pacific is promoting this year's Ski Tournaments and Midget Championships. A participant in either of these events will receive a "Limited Edition Canadian Team Signature Hat".
PLUS! The first 30 clubs to successfully apply for this program will receive a 2010 Olympic Winter Games race bib signed by a member of Canada's Olympic Cross Country Ski Team.
Full details of the hosting requirements can be found here: www.cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=5259&lan=0 . The hosting requirements are aligned with the Long Term Athlete Development and this is a great way for clubs to align their programs with LTAD.
This is a type of opportunity that the next generation of Olympians will be talking about when they have their interviews after winning Olympic Gold. So how did you get involved with Cross Country Skiing? "Well when I was a kid my club hosted a Ski tournament and gave all participants a hat signed by the Canadian National Team. I knew that one day I wanted to be apart of the National Team and go to the Olympics. Along with the hats our club received a real Olympic bib from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Getting to see and touch that bib made me realize that I could one day go to the Olympics."
Be a part of something special this year and know that you helped inspire our younger Olympians to achieve their dreams. Promoting skiing to children starts here with fun, active, large group centered tournaments. Kids get to ski with their friends, get a taste of competition, and enjoy the day full of laughter, games, snacks, and prizes.
Encourage your club to get involved in this exciting program by hosting a Ski tournament. Let's give the children in our communities an opportunity to experience cross-country skiing. |
| Junior Athlete Profile:10 Things You Don't Know About Steffan Lloyd
Current Team: Nakkertok Racing Team Club
Affiliated: Nakkertok
Career Goals: World Cup / Olympic medal, to be competitive on the world scene.
How did you get involved in cross-country skiing? My parents were active and cross-country skied and they brought me into the sport. I did the Bunny Rabbit program when I was young enough that all I can remember is sitting down and crying because my dad, the coach, wasn't paying attention to me only. I've been cross-country ski racing for pretty much as long as I can remember, and I've always been enthusiastic about training. I remember when I was in primary school I would sometimes spend my recess playing "Exercise" - which basically involved me running around the playground in circles for the duration of recess.
How did you balance high school academics with athletics? I balanced the two fairly well I think, although I might have tried to do a bit to much last year. I took a full course load in CEGEP, and it wasn't very easy all the time. A lot of training was done skiing to and from school. I'm starting mechanical engineering at Carleton University this year - I'll be studying part time this time though.
School Average: Usually in the mid 80's.
What is a typical training day? Wake up, eat, go back to sleep, wake up, eat again, do my main training for the day, eat, relax, do an easier second workout, eat, sleep (Order and quantities may vary).
When not skiing I am likely? Well, school is unfortunately going to take up a lot of time now that it's started, but otherwise I'd probably be napping, working, or on the computer.
Favourite Book? I rarely read anymore, there doesn't seem to be enough time. When I read more often, however, I enjoyed books like Lord of the Rings, the Golden Compass and The Giver.
Favourite Movie? Probably Office Space, Dr. Strangelove or Gladiator. It's hard to compare a good drama with a good comedy.
Favourite Competition Venue: Either Nakkertok South or Canmore.
Favourite Olympic/ Paralympic Moment? Chandra's gold was amazing to watch, but my favourite moment has to go to Simon Whitfield in the triathlon at Beijing. I have never seen that level of determination before, to come back after being dropped, multiple times, then to pull off that kind of a sprint... amazing.
Inspiration? Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw for sure, Simon Whitfield as well.
Favourite Colour? Orange
If I had to do maintenance on my car what could I do? I would install a big stereo. I'm somebody who really enjoys music from some quality speakers. I won't deny however that I'd probably use them to blast violent rap at stop lights just to see people expressions.
Before a race, I will listen to what song? Rap seems to do the trick for me, Swollen Members, Army of the Pharaoh's.
Favourite Musician? I like a lot of different musicians. You can pretty much find a good artist in any genre of music. | |
Club Profile: École Émilie-Tremblay Jackrabbit Club, Whitehorse,YK
The École Émilie-Tremblay Jackrabbit Club is unique and successful, and is based in a Francophone school in Whitehorse, Yukon. Their program is delivered to all children from JK to Grade Six, and all the certified coaches are teachers. The EET Jackrabbit program has run since the mid-nineties, but in 2001, teachers Marc Champagne and Clémence Roy, created a program called "Les boules de feu" ("Fireballs") to increase student fitness, promote the benefits of an active lifestyle, and experience the incredible Yukon wilderness. The name was chosen shortly after a fireball lit up the morning sky above the school and the name evokes the speed and energy of their students. EET offers the Bunny-Rabbit, Jackrabbit and Track-Attack programs twice a week, all winter long, as part of the classroom physical education program for all students. They also do trail-running in Fall and Spring, interspersed with other occasional activities like snow-shoeing, biking and swimming. This program is considered a strength of their school and a source of pride. They have fit, active students and when they participate in skiing or running activities, EET stands out because of the performance of all their students, as opposed to only a few athletes. The parents, teachers, administration and school board have all embraced the program, and they truly believe that the emphasis placed on active living and nutrition pays dividends in the classroom. Students are more focused and better able to learn. If anyone is interested in beginning a similar program, Marc would be more than happy to speak to them via xcyukon@northwestel.net . | |
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