OTTAWA, July 31, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding to Rowing Canada Aviron in support of the 2010 Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Welland, Ontario.
"Our Government is proud to support the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Rowing Championships," said Minister Finley. "This high-level regatta will encourage young Canadians to get involved in a sport in which our national team has enjoyed tremendous success in world-class competitions. It will also further increase the visibility of both the Welland International Flatwater Centre and Canada on the international hosting stage."
"The funding from the Government of Canada is very important to the success of this, and we are certain that the competitors from other Commonwealth countries will be impressed with this international racing opportunity event in Welland," said Dr. Michael F. Murphy, President of Rowing Canada Aviron. "Although rowing is not currently part of the Commonwealth Games, the sport will be eligible for a return to the program in 2018. This event is another step to reaching our collective goal of having rowing reinstated as a permanent event in the Games."
The Commonwealth Rowing Championships will be held on July 31 and August 1, 2010, at the Welland International Flatwater Centre.
The Commonwealth Rowing Championships have been held every four years since their inception in 1994. It was last held in August 2006 in Scotland and was previously held in 1994 and 1998 in London, Ontario.
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. Funding of $49,000 is being provided to Rowing Canada Aviron in support of the 2010 Commonwealth Rowing Championships through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
vanessa.schneider@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
