About Us: Team KidSport™

Maëlle Ricker is a three-time Olympian having competing in the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy and the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. But it was the 2010 Olympic Winter Games where Maelle took home the gold medal in front a hometown crowd at Cyprus Mountain in Vancouver. In the 2008-2009 season, Ricker won four World Cup medals and ranked fourth overall in the world.    

"I grew up in a family that loves sports, and have parents that went way out on a limb to provide me with as many opportunities as possible to get outside, be active, and push my limits. Unfortunately not all children have the financial means and support to receive the same treatment I had as a kid. I'm very happy to be associated with KidSport as they help bridge the gap for those who don't have the same opportunities I received when I was growing up.

Helping children become active is huge for development in all aspects of their lives. Giving chances for everyone to play sports growing up helps Canada become healthier at younger age and provides endless opportunities for kids to discover their dreams. Extra help goes a long way in giving Canada's next generation a head start at discovering sport."

Denny Morrison may not have come away from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games with as many medals as some expected, but when gold was on the line in the Men's Long Track Team Pursuit final, Morrison and his team came out on top. Morrison, who was named Canadian male skater of the year from 2006-2008, also won a silver medal in pursuit at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Prior to that, he took home the gold medal in 500 metres at the 2009 World All-Round Champtionships, and won silver and bronze in the 1,000 and 1,500 metres respectively at the 2009 World Single Distance Championships.

"Sport is my life. This is only the case because growing up my parents recognized the many benefits of being involved in sport from a young age. Without even knowing it, sport helped to develop my self-esteem, teamwork, leadership, and social skills, all the while just having fun playing with my friends. My parents made it a priority to find a way to pay for my club membership fees and make sure I had all the sporting equipment I needed. Looking back, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had those opportunities, and believe we should do all we can to give every kid the chance to experience the positive benefits of sport.

Sport gives Canadian kids the chance to start something that will change their life forever."

With 17 individual World Cup medals over consecutive seasons and a second World Championship title in three years in the 500m, Charles is a Canadian force on the international short track circuit.

After trading world titles in short track’s glamour event with Dancing with the Stars winner Apolo Anton Ohno, Charles is looking to win an even bigger prize – an Olympic gold medal on home ice against his wildly popular American rival. While he fell short of the podium in the 1500m and the 1000m at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, Charles succeeded in his golden dream for the 500m and the 5000m relay.

Already an Olympic silver medalist from the 2006 Torino Games, Charles began speed skating at the age of 10, under the direction of his father Yves and alongside younger brother, François.

"I'm involved with KidSport because it gives kids with financial difficulties the opportunity to participate in sports. Knowing that there are kids that do not have the opportunity to try sport is upsetting to me as it is such an integral part of my life. I believe sport is important because it's FUN, you make friends, it's good for your health and you can enjoy it anywhere. It does not matter if you are the best in the world. The main goal is to have fun. Whenever I can, I try to give back to my local sport community to train with kids and encourage them to discover a sport that they are passionate about. I love it!"

François, who is just 22, has trained with and competed against his older brother and current World Champion, Charles, for the past ten years.

Known for his lightning speed and intelligent strategy, François has added considerable depth to the national short track team. Hamelin has racked up numerous achievements since his first international medal (Bronze) in the 2005 World Junior Championships: Bronze and Silver at the 2006 World Junior Championships, Silver at the 2008 World Short Track Championships and Gold at the 2008-2009 World Cup in the relay.

In his first Olympic appearance in Vancouver, the younger Hamelin brought home the gold in front of a home crowd alongside older brother Charles in the 5000m relay.

"It was without hesitation that I accepted the opportunity to be a part of KidSport Canada. Watching kids enjoy sports is one of the most satisfying experiences I have had and knowing that it gives them the chance to be happy, healthy and dream makes it even better!

The work that KidSport Canada is doing is not only important, but necessary. Giving the chance to kids across Canad a
to be involved in sport at a young age is essential. Having the feeling of accomplishment and belonging is crucial for
their personal development. There is a lot of young talent hidden across Canada. From now on, we need to make
sure these kids can express themselves and find out their own potential. Who knows what the future will hold, we
might even see them in upcoming Olympic games!"

Rob Fagan, a native of Cranbrook, BC has been a member of the National Snowboard Team for eight years, has won two NOR-AM titles and three World Cup medals.  He made his Olympic debut at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver as a member of the Canadian Snowboard Cross team, where he finished 5th.

Fagan, currently ranked 4th in the FIS World Cup rankings in his discipline is showing his true colors as he plans to donate half of his winnings to KidSport should be reach the podium at the 2010 Winter Games.

“The Olympics are such as amazing opportunity to make your mark – both as an athlete and as a role model.  I am super excited to make this announcement and to be able to work with a group like KidSport,” says Fagan. “I also want to challenge other Canadian athletes to consider doing the same so that we can inspire each other, as well as children and sport enthusiasts across Canada.”

Emily Brydon, born in 1980 in Fernie, BC is a veteran on the Canadian alpine ski team, competing on the World Cup circuit for nearly ten years.  She has nine Canadian championship titles and competed in her third Olympics at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

Emily will now join a dozen Olympians as ambassadors to KidSport.  “KidSport gave me the opportunity to continue to strive for success in the ski world,” said Brydon, who grew up in BC’s Kootenay region.  “It allowed me to help my parents pay for the cost of sport and playing, and in turn is an important factor for being where I am today.”

“KidSport is incredibly important to the development of athletes and kids who are involved with sport at any level.  Not only is the funding crucial to offset the rising costs of sports but also it inspires kids to do and be more.  When you are rewarded for your success it solidifies your own belief in your dreams and goals,” she added.

As well as being an advocate for KidSport, she began the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation to provide financial help to youth in British Columbia to pursue sports, the arts or other interests.

Duff Gibson currently holds the distinction of being the oldest athlete ever to win a Winter Olympic Gold Medal due to his gold medal run in the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy at the age of 39. A two-time Olympian and the 2006 Canadian Male Athlete of the Year, Gibson retired from competition following his win in Turin but continues his involvement in sport by coaching a new generation of skeleton racers.

"I'm involved with KidSport because, like many people, sport has been and continues to be an important part of my life. I know first-hand how wonderful it is to have something that you are truly passionate about. Multiple Olympic medalist Kristina Groves said recently that when she was young she wasn't the fastest, she just really loved to skate. To me, that says it all. Whether you end up as an Olympian or someone who just finds something they love to do and leads a happier and healthier life because of it, you can't lose. The first step is to try it, and providing those opportunities to kids is what KidSport is all about. That's why I support them."

Revered internationally for his strong and graceful blend of artistry and athleticism, Kyle Shewfelt’s stirring gold-medal performance in the floor exercise became the international standard after the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It also happened to be his ultimate dream come true.

A defining performance for Kyle also became a transcendent moment in Canadian sport history blazing a trail for a new generation of gymnasts, fortifying the depth of the Canadian team in the years to come, and sending thousands of new kids tumbling into gyms across the Country.

“I'm super excited to be a part of Team KidSport! Sport has been such an amazing addition to my life and it has played a tremendous role in shaping the person I've become. Sport brought incredible people into my life, it allowed me to explore the world and most importantly; it taught me valuable lessons that I apply to my life on a daily basis.

Oh, and I can't forget the fact that my sport also gave me the awesome ability to do back flips and handstands any time, any place and any where!  I believe that every kid deserves the opportunity to participate in sport and it's fantastic to be involved!”

Now retired from competition, in addition to dedicating his time to KidSport, Kyle continues to build on his tremendous legacy as an ambassador for Gymnastics Canada, a powerful and engaging speaker, a community builder, an author and as an insightful television analyst and personality.