Posted: February 23, 2007

Athletics: Track and Field athletes to Run, Jump, Throw with Surrey, BC Elementary Schools

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada in conjunction with the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre and BC Athletics are proud to present Run, Jump, Throw (RJT) demonstrations in two elementary schools in Surrey, British Columbia. The demonstrations will feature national team athletes Stephanie McCann from Surrey and Gary Reed from Victoria. Pole vaulter Stephanie McCann is the reigning Canadian Champion; she won bronze at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and competed at the 2004 Olympic Games. 800-metres specialist Gary Reed finished 4th at the prestigious 2006 IAAF World Cup, was a member of the Commonwealth Games team and competed at the 2004 Olympic Games as well as at the last three World Championships. The morning session will take place at Ray Shepherd Elementary School beginning at 9:00am. The afternoon session will begin at 12:45pm and will take place at Crescent Park Elementary School. Athletics Canada’s grassroots program is a skills teaching tool that bases the learning of running, jumping and throwing skills in an environment of fun and challenging activities. RJT provides children with movement skills acquired through athletics that provide a strong foundation for success in all other sports and physical activities and past-times. Through teaching FUNdamentals in a participatory environment the RJT program encourages children to be more active and have strong skills early in life so they can achieve their potential and have positive self images. Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field including cross-country running and road running. Its purpose is the pursuit of leadership, development and competition that ensures world-level performance in athletics.