Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle > YASC Programs

May 19, 2012

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YASC Programs

Sport Development

Sport Development is the biggest and most important components with the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle. From Sport Clinics to coaching seminars to officials training the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle is dedicated to increasing the sporting skill level of Aboriginal people in the Yukon and training the future leaders of tomorrow, today.

The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle is prepared for Yukon communities to host a sport camp of their choice. The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle assists in the organization of the clinic, by providing the necessary funds, organizes coaches and provide much of the equipment. The Community is asked to provide the facility and also the youth and community coaches. YASC works with the local sport association to assist in finding coaches to provide the clinic. We also try to include communities that are close to the camp the opportunity to attend the camp if they wish. We will provide travel dollars to offset their expenses. Some notable camps that have occurred are a Female only Hockey Camp with Colleen Sostorics and Coreen Bredin for the Women’s National Team, John Chabot hockey Camps, and a sport camp featuring our NAIG Coaches for Basketball, Athletics and Soccer.

Sport Exchanges

The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle wants to promote the sharing of Yukon First Nation Culture and we do this by offering Sport and Cultural Exchanges between Communities. The idea is to have communities compete against one another in fun competition and then share the traditions of their first Nation with their fellow First Nations, be it song, dance or a traditional feast. YASC wants to improve its athletes but also instill cultural significant experience within their development. Currently the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle has supported the Old Crow/Kwanlin Koyote Ski Loppett Exchange and also the Yukon Indian Hockey Youth Tournament.

Coaching Development

The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle is dedicated to increasing the number of aboriginal coaches in the Yukon. YASC wants to increase the number of coaches in rural Yukon to help train the youth in the development of their chosen sport. A key to a successful athlete is a certified coach. All Coaching Clinics that YASC conducts, travel to and from the clinic as well as a hotel room for the duration of the clinic is provided for individuals who are not from the area the course is being provided.

One of the more common coaching clinics that we offer is the Aboriginal Coaching Manual along with CBET course. We also partner with the local Territorial Sport Associations to conduct Sport Technical courses.

If your community is interested in having any of these development opportunities please call the office 668-2840

Awards

Tom Longboat Award:
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 marathon, smashing the previous mark by over five and half minutes. In the years prior to the First World War, Tom Longboat won most of the major distance races in North America and Europe, including the Boston Marathon and the Powderhall Marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. At a time when indoor marathon running attracted sell-out crowds, he was the world's professional champion. At one point or another, he held every Canadian record from one mile to the marathon.

Throughout his life, Tom Longboat spoke proudly of his First Nations heritage and held his head high in times of great adversity. He was the headline attraction wherever he raced, drawing huge crowds and a widespread following. In 1999, Maclean's Magazine voted him the #1 Canadian sports figure of the twentieth century.

Established in 1951, the Tom Longboat Award serves as a proud national symbol for all Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Past Yukon Winners:

1974
Joe Mason - Boxing

2000
Krystel Mason - Hockey
Jeff Peter - Volleybal

2002
Craig Gagnon - Volleyball

2004
Kelcy Armstrong - Figure Skating
Jaron Tuton - Hockey

2005
Jocelyn Boutiilier - Hockey
Jeremy Harper - Swimming

2006
Brittanee Laverdure - Wrestling

2007
Jessica Trotter - Hockey
Christopher Vance- Hockey

2008
Danielle Marcotte - Shooting
Sammy Kent - Alpine Skiing
Joshua Kelly - Swimming

Coaching awards:
Every year, deserving male and female certified Aboriginal coaches from each province/territory are selected for the Aboriginal Coaching Awards. Regional recipients automatically advance as nominees for the prestigious National Award that is presented to the most outstanding male and female Aboriginal coach in Canada.

Past Yukon Winners

2000
Charles Eshleman - Kickboxing/ Boxing

2002
Pauline Frost - Shooting
Sam Johnston - Archery/ Dene Games

2004
Gary Bailey - Cross Country Skiing
Shareen Hill - Swimming

2005
Shirley Dawson - Dene Games
Logan Wedge - Basketball

2007
Randy Merkel - Hockey
Ann Jirousek - Basketball

2008
Danielle Lang - Soccer ( National Award Winner)
Les Johns - Archery (National Award Winner)
John Brown- Rifle Shooting
Janine Peters- 5 Pin Bowling Yukon

The Yukon representatives with the Aboriginal Sport Circle are Brian Macdonald and Sonny Voyageur. As representatives these members go representing the Yukon and the interests of our athletes and sport interests.