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When Olympic gold medalist Dara Howell started freestyle skiing, there wasn’t a local fund to help female athletes with the costs of training, competition and travel. She was fortunate to have strong community support to help her reach her goals, and she wanted to help provide that kind of support to other girls and women to help them excel, too. In 2014, Dara’s Fund was born out of that desire.
“We thought we would pass it on because I did have (that support) in so many different ways,” said Dara. “There’s so many things that cost money. Sport nowadays is so expensive and it all adds up. We come from such an active community that it’s just so important that kids have that experience to push for more. Dara’s Fund can be a stepping stone and it means a lot to my family and I.”
Howell was at Deerhurst Resort’s Highlands Golf Course on October 12 to accept a cheque for $4,500 on behalf of the Muskoka Community Foundation, which administers Dara’s Fund. The funds were raised at the inaugural Cottage Country Cup golf tournament in August.
“(The charity) seemed like a really good fit and we’re really excited that it went so well,” said Luke Nixon-Janssen, Deerhurst’s Director of Sales who championed an annual golf event to to benefit the local community.
It’s about helping women achieve their dreams in sport. Being able to give back and help someone’s dream become a reality is huge. I think that’s what life is all about, it’s being able to help lift up people and that’s what resonated with me about this fund and its mission.
Luke Nixon-Janssen, Director of Sales, Deerhurst Resort
Gord Durnan, Vice-Chair of the Muskoka Community Foundation (MCF), said that in addition to helping with the financial costs associated with their chosen sport, the funds provide a boost in confidence for athletes. “This award comes along and they think, ‘people actually gave that to me because they believe I can be better’. It’s a small award but it’s a community kind of award and it comes with this gold medal challenge from Dara. That’s better than anything else.”
That added confidence can be key for an athlete, especially females, noted Dara. “Female athletes drop out of sport at six times the rate of boys. So if it gives them a little extra boost, a little extra confidence to be like, ‘you know what, this is okay, I can do this’. The funds are there to help them get to the next step and take a little bit of stress off the parents – I’m all for it. I love it.”
Local athletes can continue to look to Howell for inspiration as she prepares to head to Pyeongchang, South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics in February.
“I’m more focused than I’ve ever been,” she said. “I probably am enjoying it a lot more than I used to. Right now I’m just kind of taking it all in. Skiing hard, training hard, working hard. I’ve been through a lot over the last few years so to finally be at this stage and feel happy and excited, not knowing what’s going to happen in four months, but just taking advantage of the opportunity that is there, making myself proud, making my family proud. It’s really fun.”
Dara’s Fund is “intended to provide resources and opportunities for Muskoka’s female athletes who excel in any sport to pursue their dreams of competing at the next level,” according to the MCF website. “This unique fund provides additional resources for girls and women who are residents of the District Municipality of Muskoka and competing in any type of individual or team sport above the local club or rep level regionally, provincially, nationally or internationally. Grants are make to those who demonstrate a commitment to the True Sport values and principles to ‘Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Stay Healthy, Have Fun, Include Others, Give Back’. Funding can be used for coaching fees, team fees, travel expenses and/or equipment.”
Deerhurst’s Head Pro, Ryan Barry, credited community support with helping to make the inaugural event a success. “The amount of funds raised would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors,” he said, thanking First National Financial LP, Aben Graphics, Boss Promotions, Antiques on 11 North, Festing Toyota, VersaBank, Gardiner Roberts, Hall Construction, Big Daddy’s Fresh Meats, Penalta, Waypoint, Barbecue World, Muskoka Brewery, Muskoka Ski Club, Denise Penney Real Estate, Deerhurst Lakeside Lodge, Agema Hospitality Services, DG Trophies, and Taylormade for their support.
The second annual Cottage Country Cup will be held on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at Deerhurst’s Lakeside course.
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