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Wednesday July 23 2008
Community steps forward for track athletes in need
From the Lethbridge Herald AUG 22 2001
By DAVE WELLS
Lethbridge Herald
A financial gauntlet was laid down and the community has responded forcefully to the
challenge. A continued flow of moolah will put this elite athletic travel quest over
the top.
Lethbridge Track and Field Club pole vaulter Brynn Anderson and Chinook Track and
Field Club hammer thrower Jim Steacy qualified for the 2001 Pan American Junior
Track and Field Championships in Santa Fe, Argentina. They were congratulated by
Athletics Canada -- then informed just how much they had to pay in order to attend
the big Oct. 18-20 dance.
It's a pretty costly soiree. Add up air-fare, meals, accommodations, visa and team
expenses and you're looking at a $3,336 tab each. Toss in personal costs. Then
consider Anderson faces a further cargo tariff to transport her poles.
Anderson's mom Pat got to work and raised about $1,000. The City of Lethbridge
has come up with another $1,000 towards the 19-year-old's journey.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Racing and Sports Club Society has gotten heavily
involved, too. A media conference was called Thursday at Bullys where it was
announced Rocky Mountain (associated with the Rocky Mountain Turf Club horse
racing enterprise) has so far helped round up an additional $3,750. This completes
Anderson's goal and puts Steacy in a strong position.
Rose Rossi is Rocky Mountain's executive director. She credits Gold & Gold
Promotions maven Ron Sakamoto with a great deal of help in the fund-raising effort.
"It was brought to my attention by Mal Clewes (president of the sports club and
superintendent of Lethbridge School District No. 51)," said Rossi. "One of our
philosophies is to help amateur sport. We started challenging individuals and
companies."
Donations have arrived from Rocky Mountain Turf Club/Bullys, Gold & Gold, Pizza
Hut, Fiorino Ltd., Subway Sandwiches, 95.5/The Hawk, D.A. Electric, Pepsi and
Casino ABS.
Rossi and Sakamoto were both gratified by city council backing. Rossi handed out
particular plaudits to council member Ed Martin for his verbal support.
Rossi is not as complementary to other levels of government.
"Federal and provincial did not support these athletes."
Further contributions toward Steacy's excellent South American adventure would be
greatly appreciated. Cheques (made out to the Rocky Mountain Horse Racing and
Sports Club Society) can be dropped off at Bullys and 95.5/The Hawk.
Anderson is currently attending the University of Alberta. Steacy was in attendance
Thursday.
"I really like how everybody is trying to pull through to give me the opportunity to
go," said the six-foot-three, 227-pound Grade 12 Winston Churchill student.
The 17-year-old has already had a taste of international competition finishing 23rd in
hammer and 29th in discus at the under-17 World Youth Championships in Hungary
this past summer. Now it's time to take on top under-19 performers from the
Americas in hammer.
"I'd really like to finish in the top five."
Steacy's Chinook Track and Field Club head coach is Larry Steinke. He's proud of
the large and quick pupil.
"I think Jim has the physical tools to definitely become a world class thrower at a
senior level. That's the goal we're working to. These are steps along the way."
Steinke is the University of Lethbridge Track and Field Team head coach too. He
actually has a U of L athlete (Jonathan Doucette, shot put, Inverness, Nova Scotia)
headed to Argentina, as well. Doucette's funding is already in place due to money
raising efforts down east.
Steacy is a hot commodity on the post-secondary market. Steinke has already received
multiple inquiries from major NCAA Division I schools.
However, at this point it looks like he's destined to be under Steinke's daily tutelage
for many years to come.
"I'd really like to stay here and go to the U of L," said Steacy.
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As a Provincially and Nationally Recognized Club Our Athletes Compete at all Levels From school, local, regional, national and international championships.
Are You Up to the Challenge?
Head Coach: Larry Steinke
Club Address:
Box 21047
140 Columbia Blvd.
Lethbridge, AB
T1K-6x4
Email:chinook@canthrow.com
Email:steinke@uleth.ca
Phone: 403-328-8836
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