Nominations for 2009 Tom Longboat Award and National Aboriginal Coaching Award now open

November 2, 2009

Nominations for 2009 Tom Longboat Award and National Aboriginal Coaching Award now open

AKWESASNE, Ontario – The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce that the nomination process for the 2009 Tom Longboat Award and National Aboriginal Coaching Award is now open. 

To recognize the ongoing commitment and outstanding achievements of amateur Aboriginal athletes, the ASC annually awards the prestigious Tom Longboat Award to the year’s top male and female Aboriginal athletes at both the regional and national levels.

Tom Longboat was one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in Canadian history.  A member of the Onondaga Nation who resided in Six Nations of the Grand River, Tom Longboat was one of the most gifted long distance runners of his time.  In just his third competitive race, he set the world record for the Boston marathon, smashing the previous mark by over five and half minutes. 

Certified Aboriginal coaches are also recognized for their commitment to the development of Aboriginal athletes through the National Aboriginal Coaching Awards. Deserving male and female certified Aboriginal coaches from each province/territory are selected for the Aboriginal Coaching Awards with regional recipients advancing as nominees for the National Award.

The deadline for nominations is January 29, 2010 @ 9 pm EST. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the ASC website, or submitted via mail or fax. 

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is Canada’s voice for Aboriginal sport and recreation, which brings together the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. The Aboriginal Sport Circle was created through a national consensus-building process, in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples.

For Additional Information, contact:

Aboriginal Sport Circle

Unit 7 – 34 McCumber Road North

Akwesasne, Ontario 

K6H 5R7

TEL:  613-938-1176

FAX:  613-938-9181

www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca