Selection committee calls for applications to Daniel Beardy memorial hockey fund
Applications to Open for Beardy Hockey Fund
Parents Stan and Nellie Beardy, along with members of the Daniel Beardy Memorial Hockey Fund Selection Committee, announced an open call for applications for the annual award and scholarship fund at a news conference Friday October 14, 2005.
SELECTION COMMITTEE CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS TO BEARDY HOCKEY FUND
THUNDER BAY, ON Friday October 14, 2005: Parents Stan and Nellie Beardy along with members of the Daniel Beardy Memorial Hockey Fund Selection Committee announced an open call for applications for the annual award and scholarship fund today at a news conference at Fort William First Nation Community Centre.
“The intent behind the memorial hockey fund is to build confidence and instill the idea in youth that with determination and the proper support their goals are unlimited,” said father Stan Beardy who is also the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation – a political organization representing 49 First Nation communities across Ontario. “Not only will the fund promote the success of young hockey stars, but it will celebrate Daniel’s life and the positive values he stood for.”
The hockey fund was established March 2005 to promote the success of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal hockey stars, while celebrating the life of Daniel Beardy who passed away August 2004.
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal hockey players between the ranks of ‘AA’ and Junior or active players in remote communities are eligible to apply for the various awards and scholarships distributed annually by the fund. All applicants must be residents of Ontario and full-time students. The Daniel Beardy Memorial Hockey Fund Selection Committee will choose applicants who best demonstrate commitment to hockey practice and game requirements, community involvement. Selection will also be based on the applicant’s ability to act as a role model to other youth on and off the ice.
The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. November 4, 2005.
Some of the major sponsors of the Daniel Beardy Memorial Hockey Fund include Muskrat Dam First Nation, Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament, Wasaya Airways LP, Shaw Family Bakeshop, Independent First Nations Alliance, and Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund.
Daniel Beardy played goalie for Fort William First Nation North Stars – a local Junior ‘A’ Hockey team that won the 2003-2004 Superior International Junior Hockey League Championship. Beardy, who had been playing hockey since he was five years of age, was voted the top goaltender of the league for the same season. He had a “goals against” average of 2.06 in the regular season which ranked him second among all goalies in the Canadian Junior ‘A’ Hockey League. He lost only one game in the 21 he played.
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For more information please contact
Jenna Young,
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Communications Officer
(807) 625 4952 or (807) 628 3953.