Willie has been training with the Manitoba National Triathlon Centre (MNTC) for the past 4 years. Training for triathlons at a national training centre is a significant commitment for an athlete to make. Willie has structured training for about 48 weeks of the year. During these 48 weeks, his training averages about 20 hours per week in swimming, cycling, running, and strength sessions. During overload weeks, training can reach over 25 hours per week, consisting of as many as 18 sessions (6 swims, 6 runs, 4 bikes, and 2 strength).

In addition to his triathlon training, Willie was a member of his school’s water polo, volleyball, and cross country track teams. His success in these school activities made him their Athlete of the Year twice during his 4 years at the school.

In 2005, his personal best time in a duathlon, 57:46, occurred at the Ottawa Duathlon -- a national race in June. His personal best time in a sprint triathlon, 59:55, occurred in Edmonton in July. In the fall, he set the MNTC team swim record for 400m in 4:30.

In the sport of triathlon the highest level an athlete can compete is the elite level, where drafting is part of the event. The elite category consists of 3 groups: Elite, U23 (athletes 20 – 23) and Junior Elite (16 – 19). Willie has one more year left to compete in the junior group before moving into the U23 category.

Willie has been a great leader on the team of 5 athletes in the area of demonstrating positive rivalry. He is also truly a team leader in showing the other athletes in the MNTC program how to be professional in both his competitive and non-competitive life.

Willie has found time in his training schedule and education to squeeze in volunteer time as a substitute coach with our Kids of Steel^® intro training program. As well, he has volunteered as a lifeguard at Kids of Steel^® races. In recognition of Willie’s performances and overall balance in his life, and the positive role model he is to other athletes in the program and the younger Kids of Steel^® athletes, he was selected as the 2005 Triathlon Manitoba Scholarship recipient.

Kelly has been a triathlon official since 2002. Her strong background as a race director in the province for both youth and adult events gave her an advantage when she made the switch to officiating.

In 2005, Kelly assumed the provincial position of Chair for our Race Sanctioning committee. This involves a detailed review of the guidelines that events must follow to ensure safety and high quality events, and make recommendations for changes. The committee reviewed 25 race packages throughout the season. Each package contains 15 to 20 pages of event details which are reviewed to ensure compliance with required standards and safety. Kelly then communicates with race directors where / how improvements can be made.

Kelly always makes sure to schedule in officiating at the Kids of Steel^® races, so she can help teach the new youth participants about safety and event rules.

Officials appreciate the opportunity to work at events where Kelly is the Head Referee, as she take the time, pre and post race, to go over the experience and review situations with them.

In the fall of 2005, she was asked by Triathlon Canada’s Official Chair to become a mentor for a new Manitoba Level 3 official.

Her experience as an event organizer and a top-level official are a significant asset to events she works with. Kelly’s team approach makes her a very effective and respected technical delegate / official.

In 2006, Kelly has been invited to attend the World Duathlon Championships and World Cup events in Corner Brook to work with and mentor international level officials.

Jaclyn gives endlessly to both Triathlon Manitoba and Synchronized Swimming Manitoba. Triathlon and Synchronized Swimming provincially and nationally have benefited from her hard work, dedication, and commitment.

Nationally, Jaclyn has established herself as a key member in the organization of Triathlon Manitoba and Triathlon Canada. She sits on the national Youth Development Committee, which coordinates the Kids of Steel^® Program, and the Coaching Committee. Jaclyn is also a member of the National Junior & U23 Development Race Series Committee. On all of these committees she has provided valuable input. Both Larry McMahon (Director of Coaching Programs for Triathlon Canada) and Norbert Hollman (Chairman of Triathlon Canada’s Youth Development Committee) supported this nomination for Jaclyn. They felt there could not be a stronger candidate. They both have worked with her over the past few years, and feel Jaclyn’s attention to detail and her support to the national programs has been invaluable. She also administers the finances of the Youth Development Committee. She puts forward many ideas for improvement. As a result of Jaclyn’s work on the committees, they asked Triathlon Manitoba to administer many of the national Kids of Steel^® program projects. They strongly believe in Jaclyn’s obvious strengths and her commitment to the program and sport. These tasks have resulted in additional funding for Triathlon Manitoba.

Jaclyn also played a vital role in the successful bid to have the sport of triathlon included in the Canada Summer Games, starting off with the 2009 Games in PEI. Jaclyn is the chairperson of the small committee responsible that achieved this. It was a huge task and there were some initial setbacks, but with her persistence the pay off was great. This feat has a large impact for all provincial associations. It will offer many athlete and coaching development opportunities across Canada in the sport of triathlon. Triathlon – 2009 Canada Summer Games PEI!!

Provincially, Jaclyn has been instrumental in Triathlon Manitoba’s climb from 34^th position in the 2002-2006 sport categorization to 14^th position in the 2006-2010 sport categorization. Jaclyn has worked very hard to start new programs in the sport and attract new members. Jaclyn initiated a new Youth Development Program in order to fill the gap of a needed area. This is the age (12-15) where numbers were dropping, but with the implementation of this program, a very visible coach and team appeared at races to keep the momentum going in this age group. This is also a starting point to identifying and developing a Manitoba team for Canada Games.

Jaclyn manages a very busy race season schedule. She is very actively visible at all Kids of Steel^® races throughout the summer and at most adult races. Jaclyn worked closely with volunteer race directors and organizing committees for two new events during the 2005 race schedule – Tri in the Park and Borealis MultiSport in Kenora. Both were very successful races with Jaclyn’s direction, experience, and assistance.

Triathlon Manitoba has 20 active committees, and Jaclyn serves on all of them and attends all meetings. Jaclyn is the strength behind Triathlon Manitoba. She is obviously very involved with the numerous volunteers in the sport – coaches, athletes, officials, and directors. Jaclyn is the connecting glue that helps Triathlon Manitoba run so smoothly. All races are top-notch, participation and membership numbers continue to grow, morale is high among members and directors, and finances are strong. Jaclyn’s leadership, keenness, and innovative ideas help to keep the sport growing. Jaclyn fields many calls from parents of children participating or interested in triathlon. She is always open for suggestions and comments to continue to improve programs.

In 2005, Jaclyn completed a 3 year volunteer term with KidSport Winnipeg as their Co-Chair. In this role she was involved with fundraising activities, promotional campaigns, and reviewing assistance applications.

Angela joined the Triathlon Manitoba Board of Directors in February 2003 as a Director. In the fall 2005, she was re-elected to the Board as Vice President. During her three years on the Board, Angela has made many significant contributions to Triathlon Manitoba. In 2005, with her new Executive position she increased level of involvement, and also began corresponding regularly with the Executive Director Jaclyn Vallis to keep up-to-date on the status of all association activities.

In addition to being a key volunteer in our association, Angela is both a triathlete and a certified official. She has participated at many of our Grand Prix, Kids of Steel^®, and other events as an official or competitor during the past four years.

Program Development Director:
Angela has chaired our largest portfolio for the past two year. This portfolio oversees many programs, including bingo, club / regional development, swim program, race series, and membership clinics.

Bingo Program:
In 2005, the long-serving Bingo Coordinator left Winnipeg, so Angela stepped up and assumed that responsibility. In this role, she works with the club reps to ensure the bingo policy is being implemented, and she tracks volunteers from each bingo.

Swim Program:
Angela led the review and update of our Swim Program Policy, and in the fall 2005 was heavily involved with the effort to replace both of our veteran coaches who recently retired.

Membership Clinics:
Offering clinics to the general membership had fallen off the portfolio on previous years. Angela devoted efforts to this area, coming up with ideas for many interesting, relevant, and popular clinics which were offered to our membership in 2005. These included a nutrition clinic, two weight training sessions, and Women’s Only and Pilates for Triathletes clinics. Attendance at these sessions was above expectations, and very positive feedback was received from participants.

Club Development:
Angela maintains direct communication with our club presidents. She always e-mails them with information on new clinics, assists with promotions, and encourages them to submit club grant applications.

Official:
Angela is a Level 1 official, and has been officiating for 3 seasons now. In 2005, she officiated at six provincial events, two in the role of Head Official.

Policy Development:
Angela contributed an extensive amount of time and effort while working with Executive Director Jaclyn Vallis and a volunteer lawyer to review and rewrite all of our existing policies, and write necessary new policies. In 10 months time, almost our entire portfolio of policies improved from a status of "old and semi-adequate" to being completely up-to-date, relevant, and in compliance with Sport Manitoba's guidelines. A few of the policies have been used by at least two other Sport Manitoba Provincial Sport Organizations as a template for their policies.

Awards Evening Committee member:
Angela has been a member of the Annual Awards Evening committee for the past 3 years. In 2005, she recruited a number of volunteers to assist with the evening, and was heavily involved in all the planning and delivery of the event.

Angela's honesty, friendliness, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, and pleasant demeanor contribute to a very good work environment at Triathlon Manitoba for both other volunteers and our staff. She is very well-liked by everyone who comes into contact with her. She has a very good understanding of what makes a good event, she knows what's involved in organizing an event, and she's met and talked to many of our members -- the people who organize, volunteer at, and participate in our events and attend our programs.

Angela has worked hard promoting triathlon as a lifetime lifestyle sport; in particular, she developed a new promotion poster that promoted this organization value. Angela has been an active leader, promoter and friend of triathlon. Her commitment in time and effort go beyond the expectations of even the most dedicated volunteer.