Athletics Canada to launch National Track League in 2011
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
OTTAWA – Modeled after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League, the National Track League (NTL) will deliver a coherent and sustainable points based Grand Prix style series of meets while in the process harmonizing national, provincial and international calendars with long-term athlete development. The series will begin a few days following the completion of the 2011 Canadian Track and Field Championships which take place in Calgary June 22-25. The Edmonton International Track Classic will kick off the inaugural NTL series on June 29.
Dr. Doug Clement, Achilles International Track and Field Society President and co-founder of the Harry Jerome International, "Athletics Canada has provided Canada's track and field athletes with a great opportunity in their development for success at the Olympic Games and World Championships by founding the National Track League.” Clement who himself was an Olympian in adds, “This series of international competitions from coast to coast will create the stage to lift Canada's finest athletes to the Olympic level."
The National Track League will serve as a delivery agent of Athletics Canada’s strategic plan in three core areas; Athlete Development, Competitions and Organizational Capacity. Athletics Canada Chief High Performance Officer Martin Goulet on the launch of NTL, “The creation of this series will support athlete development by providing our athletes with a chance to compete against top international talent on home soil.” Goulet adds, “The high performance competitions within the series will integrate several National Program elements and will serve as dynamic marketing platform to help grow the brand of track and field in Canada while helping raise awareness of our athletes and the sport.”
2011 National Track League
|
Event |
Date |
Location |
|
Edmonton International Track Classic |
June 29 |
Edmonton, AB – Foote Field |
|
Harry Jerome International Track Classic |
July 1 |
Vancouver, BC – Swangard Stadium |
|
Victoria International Track Classic |
July 3 |
Victoria, BC – Centennial Stadium |
|
Aileen Meagher International Track Classic |
July 10 |
Halifax, NS – Huskies Stadium |
|
Name TBD |
July 13 |
Toronto, ON – University of Toronto Varsity Centre |
With participating meets and dates finalized for 2011, the focus now shifts to raising sponsorship dollars to support the prize purse and ensure sustainability. Stay tuned as Athletics Canada releases more information about this venture in the coming weeks and months.
About NTL
The NTL will provide Canadian track & field athletes with the opportunity to compete and win against world class talent at home and abroad by developing a memorable sports and entertainment experience that engages fans and sponsors, inspires future generations of athletes, and builds the capacity of Athletics Canada for the benefit of all stakeholders.
-AC-
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