撸奶社区Nation teens Jason Lewis and Jonathan Williams play a lot of soccer, and have a chance to take it to the next level. Dominic Harry is already is already taking his snowboarding to the next level - he recently earned selection to Team B.C.
The three are examples of athletes that 撸奶社区Nation officials hope to support with the establishment of the Elite Athlete Program, for which a kick-off fundraising event is planned on Saturday (May 4) at Totem Hall.
The event, timed to coincide with Cinco de Mayo, is a Mexican-themed celebration that will include both a family component from 2 to 7 p.m., followed by an adults-only dance from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The family activities include dance lessons and performances, face painting, a photo booth, a caricaturist, arts and crafts, a silent auction with some great prizes, a Mexican-style dinner and live music. The dance will include a live band and door prizes, April Newman, 撸奶社区Nation recreation coordinator, wrote in an email to The Chief.
Lewis and Williams played for the 撸奶社区Strikers U15 team that won the Four District Division 2 title this past season. They also play for the 撸奶社区Thunder First Nations team, and with the European Football School (EFS).
Their affiliation with the EFS has netted Williams and Lewis a chance to go to Europe to play on a 20-day EFS team exhibition tour in the summer of 2014.
The trip, though, will cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per player. Through fundraisers such as the one next week, 撸奶社区Nation officials aim to establish a regular fund to help young 撸奶社区Nation athletes achieve their dreams, no matter what their financial circumstances.
Similarly, Harry - a member of the First Nations Snowboard Team at Whistler Blackcomb -recently competed at the B.C. Championships at Big White. His success there helped him earn a spot on the B.C. team.
It's often difficult, though, for families to keep supporting young athletes' aspirations when they're looking to make the jump into the elite ranks.
"In the past we've had athletes get to this level with soccer and other sports and there was no funding for them," said Charlene Williams, Jonathan's mother, who works as a First Nations educator. "It's just so expensive to get youth to these sorts of events that can further their training.
"We don't want our youth to have to miss out on opportunities because their families can't afford to have them go."
All are welcome at this weekend's fundraiser. Admission to the family event is by donation, and $20 per adult (13 and over) for dinner. Admission to the dance is $10, and there will be a cash bar.
Vendors interested in being part of the event may contact Mara Williams at (604) 892-5166 or [email protected]. Those interested in volunteering may contact Lindsay Hubley at (604) 5166 or [email protected]
