Two Seasons, One Reason Cycling Canada and Nordiq Canada Partner to Get More Canadians Active
For the complete Nordiq/Cycling Canada sponsorship proposal, visit: https://nordiqcanada.ca/ride-and-glide/
[Calgary, Alta/Ottawa, Ont] — Nordiq Canada and Cycling Canada are joining forces to secure new partnerships that will support athletes and programs across the nation. It’s a bold initiative that highlights both organizations’ commitment to innovative solutions for funding.
“By joining forces, we can offer partners year-round exposure through a variety of disciplines, events and programs” explains acting Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher. “This is an opportunity that few NSOs can do on their own.”.
The joint proposal is broken into three main areas: grassroots, high performance, and events support, giving potential partners the ability to pick and choose areas they align with best. With a combined 110,000 members and millions more reached through social and mainstream media coverage, the goal is to make any partner synonymous with the two sports, all year long.
“It is no secret that the Canadian Sport System is struggling to keep up with rising costs and increased demands,” said Interim Nordiq Canada CEO Megan Begley.
“We have to find new ways to deliver the resources needed to get all Canadians into sport, and to support athletes representing Canada on the world stage.
When the conversation started with Cycling Canada, it only made sense to work together toward the same goal.”
This past March the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee called for an additional $104M in annual federal sport funding to national sport organizations. While the Government of Canada increased certain areas of sport funding, organizations still face an $88M gap.
“There is no doubt that all NSOs have had to adapt to bridge the funding gap, but this challenge has also sparked innovation,” said acting Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher. “These situations make us reassess what our future system looks like, and force us to find solutions rather than dwell on our limitations. Our goal is simple: to inspire Canadians to cycle, and we believe this unprecedented collaboration will help bolster our capacity to do just-that.”
Skiing and cycling have more crossover then most would expect.
“Many of our top athletes not only use cycling as cross-training in the off-season but compete in both sports at the highest international level, especially as juniors. Cyclists also use cross-country skiing in their training” states Nordiq Canada High-Performance Director Chris Jeffries.
Athletes Pierre Harvey and Jenn Jackson are great examples. Between 1976 and 1988 Harvey represented Canada at four Olympic Games in cycling and cross-country skiing. Jackson represented Canada as a cross-country skier at the 2017 U23 World Championships before switching to mountain biking to win Gold at the 2023 Pan American Games.
“It’s common to see families ride together in the summer, and cross-country ski together in the winter. My family is one of them” laughs Jefferies, who has two children ages nine and seven in cycling and cross-country skiing programs.
“It’s an exciting project that is new for both NSOs” explains Begley. “We’re optimistic about finding new partners who share our vision of more Canadians on skis, bikes, and podiums.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Krista Robinson
Philanthropy Coordinator
Nordiq Canada
Josh Peacock
Director Marketing and Events
Cycling Canada
Nordiq Canada is the governing body of Para nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 77,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, visit https://nordiqcanada.ca
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is one of the oldest national sport
organizations in Canada and has one simple purpose: to inspire Canadians to cycle. Cycling Canada administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country, hosts national and international events and manages the National Team in all levels of international competition.