OTTAWA (May 26, 2011) – AthletesCAN and Investors Group are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary.

In keeping with their commitment to amateur sport in Canada, Investors Group established a bursary fund for Canada’s top amateur athletes. A national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians, Investors Group annually awards twenty $5,000 bursaries to assist Canada’s elite amateur athletes with the costs of training and competition. Selection criteria includes: athletic achievement, financial need and community involvement. Since its inception in 2000, the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund has awarded over $1,100,000 to Canadian athletes. AthletesCAN administers the bursary on behalf of Investors Group.

“Investors Group is pleased to support Canada’s most promising athletes with these bursaries as they pursue their dreams in sport,” said Richard Irish, Vice-President, Community Affairs and Area Marketing for Investors Group. “The bursaries acknowledge achievement and commitment to the community but, even more importantly, they celebrate the dedication and perseverance required to reach the highest goals.”

In 2010, Para-alpine skier Viviane Forest was one of 20 recipients to earn the Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund Bursary of $5,000 through AthletesCAN. Sacrificing a great deal to succeed in her sport for Canada was not something that was foreign to this 3-time summer and winter Paralympic champion and it was no different heading into the 2010 Vancouver Games.

“I am truly grateful for the financial support I was fortunate to receive from Investors Group and AthletesCAN through the 2010 Team Investors Group Amateur Athlete Fund”, says Viviane.  “A demanding training and competition schedule around the world does not allow me to attain full time employment. Sport related grants and private donations like this bursary really make a difference as they go directly to the athletes and the dollars can be used where needed most”, she adds.  “Specifically, this bursary has helped to cover my expenses related to equipment, transportation, cargo, meals, sport science, living and training.  Overall, the IG Amateur Athlete Fund has relieved a tremendous amount of financial stress in my life and enabled me to focus on both my short and long term goals.  I was able to fulfill one of these goals at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games where I medaled for Canada in all five of my alpine ski races.  Thank you so much!”

AthletesCAN Executive Director Jasmine Northcott adds: “The athletes recognized through the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund are champions both on and off the field of play.  AthletesCAN is proud to partner with Investors Group each year to recognize Canada’s top athletes and thanks Investors Group for their continued leadership and support.”

The 2011 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary recipients are:

• Krystina Alogbo             (Rivière des Prairies, QC) – Water Polo
• Jody Barber                   (Smithers, BC) – Paranordic
• David Bissett                 (Edmonton, AB) – Bobsleigh
• Tabia Charles                (Pickering, ON) – Athletics
• Ryan Cochrane             (Victoria, BC) – Swimming
• Ryan Dodd                    (Olds, AB) – Waterski
• Adam Dukovich             (London, ON) – Boccia
• Sonja Gaudet                (Vernon, BC) – Wheelchair Curling
• Matt Hallat                    (Coquitlam, BC) – Para-Alpine Skiing
• Jayna Hefford                 (Kingston, ON) – Hockey
• Justin Lamoureux           (Squamish, BC) – Snowboard Halfpipe
• John McRoberts             (Scarborough, ON) – Paralympic Sailing
• Andréanne Morin            (Montreal, QC) – Rowing
• Denny Morrison             (Fort St. John, BC) – Speed Skating
• Kendra Ohama              (Calgary, AB) – Wheelchair Basketball
• Dasha Peregoudova       (Toronto, ON) – Taekwondo
• Annamay Pierse            (Edmonton, AB) – Swimming
• Christine Selinger           (Regina, SK) – Para Canoe
• Mary Spencer                (Windsor, ON) – Boxing
• Marianne St-Gelais        (Montreal, QC) – Speed Skating