The Board of Directors of the Red Deer Games Foundation (RDGF) would like to take this opportunity to recognize our colleague and friend, Mike Klass. Mike was a volunteer on the Board of the RDGF and his commitment to our team and to the youth of Central Alberta was invaluable. Mike served our community with a passion for all sport and always provided a perspective that put the athlete in the center. Mike was very open and shared many perspectives on his journey with cancer and he fought with the will of a champion. We will miss his warm and caring approach to all our deliberations. It is in Mike’s honor that we are pleased to announce the recipients for the Athlete Development Grant for the fall of 2023.

The grants are awarded to individuals living in Red Deer and area who have demonstrated a high level of ability and a strong commitment to their sport. These athletes have achieved competence at the international, national, provincial, or regional level and the funds are provided to the athletes to help offset the costs of training and equipment as they continue to pursue their training and competition programs.

Nathon Kozuback-Speedskating: Nathon is a member of the Red Deer Lions Speedskating club coached by Nick Schultz and he currently trains long track and short track in both Red Deer and Calgary. He is currently ranked 2 nd in Alberta in both short track and long track for his age group. He is one of 5 athletes to qualify for the Canadian Neo-Junior short track competition.

Samuel Kyme-Snowboarding: Sam is a member of the Riders on Board snowboarding club coached by Jared Anderson. Sam trains both at Canyon Ski hill and with his teammates at WinSport in Calgary and at the Sunshine Ski hill. Sam is competing at both the provincial level and at NorAm events in Calgary. Committed to his sport, Sam also helps by coaching younger athletes on Saturday mornings.

Eiley Morrison-Track and Field: Eiley is a member of the Alberta Speed School Track and Field club coached by Ron Hewer. She is Central Alberta’s number one ranked sprinter and is currently ranked 8th in the province of Alberta. Eiley was a finalist in the 2023 ASAA sprints and qualified for the U!8 provincial championships where she finished as Alberta’s top female sprinter. She is a 2023 Alberta Summer Games bronze medalist and a 2023 Canadian Championship qualifier. Her goal for 2024 is to qualify for the national U20 national championship

Nicholas Nechifor-Tennis: Nicholas is a member of the Red Deer Tennis club and is coached by Rene Simon of the Simon Tennis School. He is currently ranked the number 3 ranked tennis player in Alberta in his age class and the number 26 ranked player in Canada in his age class. Nicholas is hoping to attend an elite tennis camp in Spain and intends on completing in both the Provincial and National Tennis Championships in 2024.

Katelyn Pasutto-Track and Field: Katelyn is a member of the Alberta Speed School Track and Field club coached by Ron Hewer. In 2023 she won back-to-back championships at the ASAA Provincial Championships breaking a 47-year-old record on the way. She competed in the U 20 National Championships as the youngest U20 athlete to qualify for a final at the event. Katelyn hopes to attend an elite training camp in Mexico and participate in the 2024 Canadian U 20 championships in Montreal.

Liam Wygiera-Trampoline: Liam is a member of the Exalta Gymanstic Club in Red Deer coached by Dymtro Troyan. He currently competes with Team Alberta on the Alberta Gymnastics team. He has competed in both the 2023 Canadian Elite Trampoline championships and the 2023 Canadian Gymnastics Championships in Trampoline gymnastics. Liam gives back to his sport by coaching younger athletes and his goal is to complete at the World Gymnastics Championships as a member of Team Canada.

For further information regarding Red Deer Games Foundation Grant Program, please contact
[email protected] or visit the Central Sport website at www.centralsport.ca.