"With Telus, we are taking another great leap towards achieving our vision for Canada’s athletes," said ACA president Ken Read. "It’s more than a vision, it’s a plan with clear goals designed to make all of Canada proud of its alpine skiers in 2010. Telus’s support will be instrumental in that plan."
Telus executive vice-president Rob Cruickshank said the company was already committed to the goal, pointing to the individual helmet sponsorships for Anne-Marie Lefrancois of Charlesbourg, Quebec, Whistler’s Jeff Hume, and the entire disabled ski team.
"Telus is delighted to put its support behind Alpine Canada Alpin’s bold plan for the sport of skiing in Canada," said Cruickshank. "Alpine Canada’s refreshing attitude, belief in excellence and determination to succeed are a winning combination that will make all Canadians proud."
With the help of other sponsors, the ACA is now just $3 million away from its funding goal, which Read believes will enable the team to qualify more than 75 per cent of Canadian athletes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the top-12.
In addition to money, Telus will provide the ACA with telecommunications, as well as Web hosting, wireless services and management consulting. The company will also partially fund several events, including the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup events and the Canadian Championships Events for the Disabled. Some of the money will also filter down to more than 200 development clubs across Canada, and directly benefit elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes through a $75,000 Legacy Project.
In March, Telus also became the official telecommunications sponsor of the Canadian Snowboard Federation, providing funding to the men’s and women’s national teams, sponsoring the Honda Element Tour of Champions events, and sponsoring World Cup events in Whistler and around Canada.
