Pickering Olympian's mother seeks financial support for daughter
February 24, 2010
By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- Before setting off to see her daughter compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Lena Brown made a stop at Pickering City Hall.

Her daughter, Shelley-Ann Brown, is a Pickering resident who moved to Calgary a few years ago to pursue her dream of becoming an Olympic athlete.

This year, the sprinter-turned bobsleigh brakeman has reached her goal to compete in the two-woman bobsleigh event at the 2010 Olympics.

But training hasn't come cheap, her mother told council at its latest meeting, shortly before she flew to Vancouver to watch her daughter compete in Vancouver.

"We have received an outpouring of support from various Pickering residents who want to help Shelley-Ann reach her Olympic dreams," her mother told council.

But funds are still short, Ms. Brown said, and requested that council provide a one-time grant or sponsorship of $5,000 to "help with these training costs so that she can focus on her task at hand and hopefully bring an Olympic medal home to the City of Pickering."

Although the Olympian receives federal government funding, it's not enough to cover all of her needs such as proper nutrition and vital supplements, access to training facilities, equipment, therapy and coaching fees, on top of living
expenses in an apartment she has to maintain, but rarely stays in due to training and traveling requirements.

"We were hoping to raise $30,000 to see her through to the end (of the year) and I'm not even half way there," her mother said in an interview.

Ms. Brown added her daughter had a part-time job waiting tables, but had difficulty balancing it alongside her training. In the off-season alone, she trains an average of six days a week for three to six hours. Sponsorship opportunities are not in their daughter as much as they can, but even they were thankful for Petro-Canada's Canadian Athlete Family Program, which is covering their accommodations in B.C. (not including air fare), so they could cheer her on.

Council was open to the request, but didn't grant it in time for Ms. Brown to tell her daughter the good news before competing.

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson suggested council give her a $1,000 grant from the City's True Sport fund, but Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean explained it isn't possible since it's for entry-level athletes only.

"I certainly have no problem supporting this young woman however I can, whether it's financially, but not in this fashion," he said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson cautioned if council granted Ms. Brown's request, many others would seek grants in the future.

He suggested sending a letter to upper levels of the government asking for assistance.

"These athletes are not only representing Pickering, they're representing Canada," he said.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell said she agrees with council's cautious attitude, but "How many Olympians do we really have in Pickering?" she said.

She noted producing Olympic athletes speaks of the quality of Pickering's facilities.

"We should be out there cheering for them, promoting them and doing whatever we can to help them," she said.

Council decided to refer the matter to budget discussions next month to perhaps create a grant program for Olympic athletes on the advice of Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles. Pickering, in fact, has produced a number of Olympic
athletes, according to Chief Administrative Officer Tom Quinn, such as hurdler Perdita Felicien.

Shelley-Ann Brown began competing on the Canadian Bobsleigh National Team in 2007 and has over the last three seasons, set five world start records and placed as high as second in the World Cop competition. She also aspires to work
with and inspire children in the future.

"We're extremely proud of her," Ms. Brown said.

The Olympian is currently accepting donations, and in appreciation, donors of any amount will receive an autographed photograph. For information or to donate:

VISIT: www.shelley-annbrown.com
E-MAIL: shelleyann_brown@yahoo.com