TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 18, 2015) - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today congratulated Patrick Burrows, Sharon Creelman, Nancy Mollenhauer, Sue Neill and Marina van der Merwe on their induction into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame.
The special ceremony was held today at Field Hockey Canada House prior to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games match between the Canadian and Mexican men's teams.
Minister of State Gosal also took this opportunity to announce funding of more than $1.3 million for Field Hockey Canada in 2015-16 for its programs and services that have a direct impact on athlete development. This support, provided through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, includes $20,000 in enhanced excellence funding provided specifically to prepare for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
Quick Facts
- During fiscal year 2014-15, Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program provided $711,539 to support 71 field hockey athletes with direct monthly support for living, training and special needs expenses to help them focus on their training.
- The Government of Canada contributed up to $5.3 million of the total project cost of $9.5 million for the construction of the Pan Am / Parapan Am Fields, site of the field hockey competitions during the Pan Am Games.
- The Government of Canada places great importance on high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, it doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports.
- Starting in 2016-17, the Government of Canada will invest up to an additional $20 million into the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure they have what they need to push for the podium now and in the future.
Quotes
"Congratulations to these remarkable individuals. Each inductee has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of field hockey in Canada and has earned a well-deserved place in the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame. They inspire Canadians to lead more active lives and serve as role models for the next generation of high-performance athletes, exemplifying what it means to strive for excellence."
-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)
"It is an honour to have the Minister at the event to celebrate our proud past and work with us to inspire the next generation of athletes. Under the leadership of Minister of State Gosal, Sport Canada is our greatest champion in the growth, development and excellence of field hockey across Canada. We are proud of our partnership with the Government of Canada and incredibly grateful for the encouragement, guidance and support."
-Jeff Sauvé, CEO, Field Hockey Canada
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Contact Information:
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
robert.lynch@sports.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca