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WomenCAN is an international group of women and men dedicated to creating race opportunities for women in the Olympic sport of canoe. WomenCAN was envisioned and founded by Sheila Kuyper - Canadian women's sprint canoe pioneer and Champion - to push the cause of equity in Sprint canoe, as part of Canada's (Toronto) 2008 Olympic Bid. The WomenCAN campaign for Olympic inclusion in Sprint included a powerful slogan "Power and Grace for 2008". Toronto was narrowly beaten out by Bejing for the 2008 Games, but the vision of WomenCAN and "Power and Grace" lives on.
Pam Boteler, President, WomenCAN, expanded the mission of WomenCAN to include our sister sport
Slalom Canoe
, where women are fighting for the same cause: full inclusion on the Olympic schedule and in all international, national, and local regattas.
WomenCAN stands for equality in Olympic Canoeing - between canoe/kayak and sprint and slalom. Our inclusion will only enhance this incredible sport and increase its visibility.
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| MISSION AND VISION |
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MISSION:
Realize the Dream - 2016: Olympic status and equal events for womens canoe.
VISION:
To inspire and enable women to achieve equality and excellence in Olympic and Non-Olympic canoe racing by developing a complete range of development and racing opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. And, to promote and support canoeing for recreation and as a way of life.
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| IT CAN START ANYWHERE - BUT WE NEED SUPPORT AT THE TOP! |
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Every year at the Canadian Sprint Nationals there is full participation in all distances and all boat categories, however the Senior level races experience significant attrition. The situation is similar in the U.S. Women see no other athletes training in canoe - at least in their area. Every year this sport loses talented athletes to other sports where full participation by women is expected and goals (including high school titles, National collegiate titles and the Olympics) are there to be realized. In many cases, as in the U.S., athletes expressing an interest in sprint canoe, or those who may not even know it exists, are discouraged or not exposed to the sport because of the lack of Olympic recognition and opportunity. WomenCan seeks to eliminate this deterrance in all countries around the world!
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| INTERNATIONAL RACE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ESSENTIAL GOALS FOR ALL ATHLETES. |
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Without more international race opportunities women and girls find it difficult to justify the time, financial resources and effort required to train seriously. Without international race opportunities, local clubs, coaches and parents, state and federal organizations, even corporate or private donors, find it difficult to justify supporting the athletes with the coaching, equipment or financial resources they require to train seriously.
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| WHAT CAN YOU DO - AROUND THE WORLD? |
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TOGETHER WE HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE 2009 A YEAR OF PROGRESS AND EQUITY IN CANOE RACING.
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START PROGRAMS NOW AT YOUR CLUB.
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LOBBY YOUR NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY (NGB) TO SUPPORT EVENTS AND OFFER OPPORTUNITIES.
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LOBBY YOUR NGB TO SUBMIT THEIR SUPPORT IN WRITING TO THE ICF.
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FIND CORPORATIONS OR PRIVATE DONORS THAT ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETES AND/OR START PROGRAMS.
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JOIN
WOMEN IN CANOE - INTERNATIONAL
- A NEW FACE BOOK GROUP DESIGNED TO CONNECT WOMEN IN CANO AND THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COACHES - FROM AROUND THE WORLD. GREAT WAY TO SHARE INFORMATION, INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
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CONTRIBUTIONS
Wo
uld you like to make a tax-deductible donation to USA WomenCan to support equal opportunities initiatives?
These include, but are not limited to, supporting:
Donations can be sent to:
USA Canoe/Kayak
c/o Fund for
USA WomenCan/Just Canoe It!
301 S. Tryon St. Ste. 1750
Charlotte,
NC
28282
In the memo line of the check, please put WomenCan/Just Canoe It!
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