Olympic dream alive for Central Alberta’s Elle Couture

Duane Rolheiser

Published

2 years ago

5 minute read

Elle Couture posing with her medal haul from the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games!

The letters HWPO are embroidered on Elle Couture’s swim bag. Elle’s been swimming competitively for 5 years and HWPO has been with her for almost as long. The letters stand for Hard Work Pays Off. Elle says her dad always gives her that advice. It’s really starting to pay off.

Before any swimmer ever achieves a provincial or a national ranking… there’s hundreds and then thousands of hours spent in the pool. Before school, after school, on weekends, that’s when the good swimmer becomes great. The races themselves are just a compilation of all the time and effort put into increasing speed and stamina, and working on the minute details and techniques.

As the summer of 2019 progressed Elle’s results kept getting better and better and as she prepares to start another school year, her dreams of representing Canada one day are very much alive. Elle’s times have qualified her for the 2020 Canadian Swim Trials. Since 2020 is an Olympic year there’s an outside chance for Elle to qualify, but it’s much more likely she’ll be coming into her own in four more years.

Earlier this summer we shared her provincial results.. Here they are again:

Summer Championships Alberta age group 13-14 July 4-7 Edmonton, Ab

50m Breaststroke – Bronze medal

200m Breaststroke – Bronze medal

100m Breaststroke 100m Freestyle 4th place

Best times in these 3 events

Later in July Elle swam at the Canadian Junior Nationals, where she made a strong showing:

Canadian Jr Nationals Calgary Alberta August July 24-29

Qualified for 4 events.

100m Breaststroke 6th in Canada

200m Breaststroke 5th in Canada ( having to do a head to head swim off with one other girl to qualify in 8th )

Elle came back in finals to place 5th after entering in 8th position.

The best was yet to come… As Elle competed for Team Alberta in the Western Canada Summer Games and you might say she cleaned up! Here are the results:

Western Canada Summer Games – Swift Current Sk Phase 1 August 9-13

Elle was chosen by Swim Alberta to compete in the Games for her 100-200 Breast stroke abilities during the qualifying period Spring 2019. A total of 33 swimmers from across Alberta represented Team Alberta. Elle traveled with Team Alberta August 5-8 to Calgary for team practices and Team building at UofC campus.

A total of 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 and 2 Bronze

Events:

50m Breaststroke – GOLD

100m Breaststroke- GOLD

200m Breaststroke- BRONZE

50m Freestyle-SILVER

50m Fly -4th

3 Relays

4x100m IM relay female – GOLD

4x200m Free mixed relay – GOLD

4x100m Free mixed relay – BRONZE

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And here’s a note from Elle’s mom:

The experience of swimming on behalf of Alberta and being with such a cohesive group of swimmers have really motivated Elle to work hard so that she can be considered for other Team Alberta travel teams for next season 2019-2020.

Elle has qualified for the Canadian Trials in March-April 2020 with her 100 Breaststroke and is 0.11 seconds off qualifying for the 200 Breaststroke. This is the Olympic Trial year and meet and Elle is hoping to swim well enough to be considered for other travel teams for Canada as she will be 15 and making the Olympic team is a dream but perhaps will have to wait for the next Olympic cycle. ” No Opportunity Wasted ” is something that her mental skills coach Doug Swanson has helped her work on.

Her goals have also expanded, she is working towards a chance to be chosen for Canada Games in Summer 2021 which will be held in the Niagara Region Ontario.

Here’s a video feature on Elle produced when she was just starting to show the potentials she has now begun to realize…

Related Topics:Elle Couture feature Sylvan Lake Nauticals

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Provincial Sport Organization of the Month: Baseball Alberta

Baseball Alberta had its birth in the early 1900s, known at that time as the Alberta Amateur Baseball Association. For much of the early 1900s, the Alberta Amateur Baseball Association focused solely on Junior and Senior levels as they oversaw the leagues and Provincial Playoffs.

By 1964, the Alberta Amateur Baseball Association began organizing baseball in the province at all levels from Pee-Wee to Senior. The Provincial Government saw the need to provide travel funds for teams travelling to Westerns and Nationals in 1970. Very quickly baseball began taking off, as in 1971 there were already 104 communities involved with 539 teams registered.

In 1986 the Alberta Baseball Association adopted the name Baseball Alberta as its working name of choice. Today, Baseball Alberta is a leader in developing and promoting baseball on the Local, Provincial and National scene.

Baseball Alberta has been a National leader in developing items such as the Canadian Rule Book, the first National Baseball Week, Baseball Canada Pitch Counts, Girls/Women’s Baseball, the NUCP and NCCP, the Respect in Sport initiative, the Rally Cap and Grand Slam Programs.

There are now close to 100 associations registered with Baseball Alberta from all parts of the province and has over 15,000 players registered and playing baseball. Baseball Alberta prides itself on providing the opportunity for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to participate in the game of baseball.

This Month in Alberta Sports History

On March 3, 2019, the 27th Canada Winter Games wrapped up following an incredible two-week run in Red Deer. Approximately 2,400 athletes representing all ten of Canada’s provinces and all three territories took part in the event, which began on February 15. Team Quebec finished on top of the podium with 146 total medals, with Team Alberta in second with 100 total medals, and Team British Columbia in third with 87 total medals. Away from the sporting venues, the Games also featured a rich arts and cultural festival.

Artifact of the Month

Artefact: Silver Chalice Trophy
Accession #: 2001.15.08
Year: 1940s-1950s
Description:
The Alexandra Hotel Trophy was awarded to athletes competing in the Calgary Ladies Fastball annual championship between 1945 and 1956. Across the wooden base, there are seven small plaques with the names of the winning teams and the year of the championship. This trophy is made from silver and is shaped in the traditional ‘chalice’ style. Cup-style trophies began to appear at sporting events as early as the late 1600s. Since then, trophy style has changed considerably; with various shapes and designs found in modern trophies. The classic chalice-style, however, has remained one of the more popular choices in marking victory.

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2019 Canada Winter Games

2 years later the Canada Winter Games presents massive gift to Albertans

Published on February 13, 2021

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From the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society

2019 CANADA WINTER GAMES LEGACY FUND SOCIETY ANNOUNCE FINANCIAL LEGACY AND LAUNCH FUNDING APPLICATION PROCESS

The 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society is pleased to share the details of the final 2019 Games legacy—a legacy fund of $650,000 designed to support not-for-profit sport and community organizations in the province of Alberta.

“The Legacy Fund Society is now accepting funding applications from Alberta-based sport and community not-for-profits until April 2,” said Guy Pelletier, Legacy Fund Society Chair. “Requests for funding will be reviewed based on their alignment with the values of the 2019 Games and accepted in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.”

Not-for-profit sport and community organizations in Alberta are encouraged to review the Legacy Fund Society’s application form and criteria available online here. Organizations may also email [email protected] for a copy of the application form.

The original intention of the Legacy Fund Society was to disburse the financial legacy during one granting period; however, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport and community organizations, future grant allocation opportunities may be necessary. Applications for the initial funding opportunity are open until April 2, 2021, at midnight.

Today’s announcement builds on the numerous legacies the 2019 Games left in Alberta. These legacies include investing $14.5 million across five capital projects; acting as a catalyst for over $200 million in infrastructure projects in the region; distributing over $500,000 in sport equipment and assets to over 40 local and provincial sport organizations and not-for-profits; building a strong, trained volunteer base for future events; donating 3,000 pairs of mittens and toques, as well as thousands of meals, to the Mustard Seed; and supporting $110.3 million in economic activity in Alberta.

2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society

“Thanks to the sound planning and execution by our Board, volunteers and staff and the amazing support of our Funding Parties, sponsors, donors and community partners, we are thrilled to build on the legacies of the 2019 Games with a significant legacy fund,” said Lyn Radford, 2019 Canada Winter Games Board Chair.

Government of Canada

“The Government of Canada is proud of its contribution to the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer,” said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The Games not only allowed athletes from the region to perform in their hometown, but also gave all Canadians the opportunity to watch athletes and teams from across the country excel and make us proud. I congratulate the Host Society for ensuring that the legacies of the Games will keep having positive impacts for years to come.”

Government of Alberta

“I applaud the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society for their excellent work in delivering this substantial legacy fund,” said the Honourable Leela Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women. “Red Deer’s 2019 Canada Winter Games was a very successful and memorable event that gave an opportunity to Canada’s next generation of athletes to continue their sport development. The decision to share the legacy fund with the province’s non-profit sport organizations is commendable since it will provide further opportunities to support Alberta athletes in their development journey.”

City of Red Deer

“Red Deer is stronger for having hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games. It ignited our community spirit, transformed our city through new and upgraded infrastructure, and it now brings us a legacy fund to continue to help future generations and community organizations with sustainable funding,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “We are grateful for the outstanding support from our partners, the corporate sector, our 5,000 incredible volunteers, staff and our community as a whole for positioning our city for a prosperous future in sport, culture, recreation and community life.”

Canada Games Council

“The 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer were a tremendous success. In addition to the infrastructure, sport programming, and social legacies of the Games, the Canada Games Council is thrilled to see the distribution of a financial legacy to benefit sport and culture in Red Deer and central Alberta,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council.

2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund

What is the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund?

From February 15 until March 2, 2019, Red Deer and central Alberta hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Hosting the 2019 Games left a lasting legacy of new and enhanced sport facilities, volunteer and leadership development and a financial legacy in the form of a $650,000 legacy fund. This legacy fund will be distributed to Alberta not-for-profit sport and community groups through a grant application process running from February 10 until April 2, 2021.

How can I apply?

Applications are being accepted online through a Google Form here. Online submissions require a Google account to access and complete. If you do not have access to a Google account and require a copy of the application form to fill out, please email [email protected]

Who can apply for funding through the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund?

1. Applications will be considered from Alberta not-for-profit organizations that have a mandate for the development of sport locally, regionally or provincially and are affiliated with a recognized provincial sport organization in good standing. The Legacy Fund Society will not accept applications from individual athletes or coaches/officials; however, the Society will accept applications for athlete and coach/official development programs and organizations.

2. Applications will be accepted from Alberta community organizations for non-sport purposes and activities provided they build community capacity and reflect the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

What information do I need to provide as part of the application process?

You are asked to provide:

1. Organizational information, including your organizational structure and business plan and/or financial statements;

2. A brief description of the project with an explanation of how the grant dollars will be spent, impact the community in a positive manner and how the project aligns with the 2019 Games’ values;

3. Motion from the applying organization’s Board of Directors approving an application for Legacy Funds and a statement outlining the process for the use of the funds and accountability protocol in place to ensure alignment with the application; and

4. Letters of support from all stakeholders impacted by the application or from organizations that will benefit from the grant and support the application. Up to five letters can be submitted.

Can I apply for a project that won’t take place until 2022?

Given the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on many organizations, applicants are permitted to apply for events or activities that may take place beyond 2021. The applicant must provide specifics as to the timeline for the use of grant allocations. Hold backs may be in place for deferred events/activities.

Can I make a funding request for on-going expenses?

Applications may be made for projects that will be expended over time. In these instances, the grant allocations may have a hold back pending confirmation of the ongoing need for future grant allocations. Organizations that are applying for funds to be expended in the future should identify the timelines for these expenditures.

Can I apply for funding for regular, operational costs?

All applications that meet the application criteria and demonstrate alignment with the 2019 Games’ values will be considered. This may include requests to fund operational costs. Requests to offset operating costs should demonstrate how that request provides for sustainable funding within their business model.

What is the maximum amount of funding that an organization may request?

There is no specific funding request maximum. The Legacy Fund Society will look to support as many projects as possible with meaningful grants.

What are the application categories?

Applications will be accepted in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.

What is the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society?

The 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society was formed in 2018 with the mandate to create a process to disburse the financial legacy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games to support not-for-profit sport and community organizations in the province of Alberta. While evaluating applications, the Legacy Fund Society will be guided by the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

What are the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games?

The values of the 2019 Games are:

1) Innovative – Surprising solutions;

2) Collaborative – Stronger together;

3) Sustainable – Future generations matter;

4) Frontier Spirit – Raise the barn;

5) Inclusive – Everybody’s in;

6) Authentic – True to our roots;

7) Tenacious – All stones turned.

Will there be another granting period in 2022?

The original intention of the Legacy Fund Society was to disburse the financial legacy in one granting period; however, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport and community organizations, future grant allocation opportunities may be necessary. The first granting period is open from February 10 until April 2, 2021. If another granting opportunity is available, a call for applications will be issued.