FOR RELEASE
June 11, 2013

WHITEHORSE—More than $876,000 in Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee (YRAC) grants and more than $525,400 in funding for athlete and coaching initiatives will be awarded under the Yukon Sport for Life, High Performance and Elite Athlete programs, Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor announced yesterday.

“I am pleased to announce our continued support for Yukon’s sport and recreation organizations. Our athletes, coaches and officials all contribute tremendously to building healthy and vibrant communities throughout Yukon,” Taylor said. “Sport funding has contributed to an increase in competitive performance by Yukon athletes and greater skill levels in our coaches and officials have led to new opportunities for both groups at major events.”

Under the Yukon Sport for Life Program, 23 Yukon sport governing bodies will share $388,450 for enhanced athlete and coaching development programs.

Twenty-eight athletes and seven officials will receive $86,950 through the High Performance Funding program.

This year, two new recipients will be added to the Elite Athlete Program—Colin Abbott and Knute Johnsgaard—who recently received development cards from Sport Canada. They will share $50,000 in funding with three other nationally ranked Yukon athletes.

“Sport has opened so many doors for me,” Abbott said. “Because of sport, I have been given employment, volunteer opportunities and the chance to realize myself in a unique way. I am very excited to be given the chance to continue working toward my sport-related goals with the support of funding under the Elite Athlete Program.”

For a complete list of the grants awarded visit the sport and recreation grants 2013/14 page.

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