Mr. Speaker, it’s with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize the significant athletic achievements of a number of young northern athletes. Ms. Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith has been recently named to the Canadian National Cross-Country Ski Team. This is a tremendous achievement by Ms. Daitch and marks the first time an athlete from the Northwest Territories has achieved this standing since the era of Burt Bullock, Roseanne Allen, Ernie Lennie, Sharon and Shirley Firth and others.
Mr. Michael Gilday of Yellowknife recently concluded an outstanding speed skating season that saw him not only set a new world record in the 1,000 metres but also named to the National Short Track Speed Skating Team.
Those accomplishments complement those of Thomsen D’Hont of Yellowknife, who was part of the 2007–2008 national development squad in cross-country skiing, and Mr. Brendan Green of Hay River, who was part of the 2007–2008 senior national training group in biathlon.
Mr. Speaker,
these
are truly outstanding
accomplishments by young Northerners who have demonstrated that dedication, hard work and determination pay off. These individuals also serve
as excellent role models for many other young Northerners who aspire to achieve great things.
As the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Games approach, Northerners will be following these and other young Canadians with great pride as Canada hosts the world in Vancouver and Whistler in less than two years’ time. The athletes I’ve mentioned today are among our best and are representative of a growing group of youth who are achieving great results in sports.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is pleased to support these athletes through the NWT High Performance Athlete Grant Program, which provides assistance to offset training and competition expenses.
Of course, these athletes could not succeed without tremendous support from their families, friends and communities, and it’s fair to say that almost every athlete who attains this level of success does so because of the significant support they receive from those around them. To those individuals, sponsors and communities, I would like to pass on our sincere thanks for your contribution to the development of these youths and for helping all of us feel proud to be Northerners.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Applause.