 What is
WomenCan?
WomenCan is an international group of women and men dedicated to creating race opportunities for women in the Olympic sport of canoe. WomenCan was originally envisioned and founded to push the cause of equity in Sprint/Flatwater canoe by Sheila Kuyper - Canadian women's sprint canoe pioneer - 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, Executive Director, USA WomenCan, has expanded the mission and vision 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. Stay tuned for more information about Slalom and progress for women's canoe. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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| VISION |
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Equal opportunities for women in Olympic Canoe racing.
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| MISSION |
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To inspire and enable young women to achieve equality and excellence in the Olympic disciplines of Sprint (Flatwater) and Slalom (Whitewater) canoe racing and in life by developing a complete range of opportunities nationally and internationally. And, to achieve competitive depth and racing success nationally in all age categories of women's canoe.
In the United States, WomenCan is led by
Pam Boteler
and JustCanoeIt!. In Canada, WomenCan is led by Sheila Kuyper and
Heather McNie
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| RESULTS of WomenCan efforts: |
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2008 marks the 12th anniversary of women-only canoe events at the Canadian National Championships (since 1996), 8th year for Brazil (since 2000) and 6th for the USA Canoe/Kayak National Championships (since 2002).
2008 marked the 6th anniversary of the Pan American Championships for Women's Canoe. The 2008 Pan Am Championships were held May 17-18, in Montreal, Canada in conjunction with the Olympic Continental Qualifier for the Americas. Results.
In 2003, besides the usual formidable Canadian contingent, Russia sent 4 women in canoe to the 2003 World Canoe/Kayak Championships exhibition events at Lake Lanier (GA). The U.S. sent 3 women. SEE RESULTS. In 2004, Russia invited women in canoe to Moscow to compete in exhibition events at their National Championships. Unfortunately the U.S. could not send athletes, but Canada sent 4. We will continue to work with Russia to make this opportunity a reality once again.
Currently Canada boasts hundreds of women in canoe, and status and qualifying (for the Canadian Nationals) regattas are hotly contested.
Countries with known women's canoeists are:
Americas: Canada, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador.
Europe: England, France, Russia, Lithuania, Serbia.
Asia: China
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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 2006 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 CANOERS AND THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COACHES - FROM AROUND THE WORLD. GREAT WAY TO SHARE INFORMATION, INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
Countries with Women training/racing in Sprint Canoe: Canada, USA, Brazil, England, France, Hungary, Poland.
Other countries that have included women in canoe at one time or another and are expected in 2009: Russia, Mexico, Lithuania.
Are there more? Let Pam know!
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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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