Mackay receives $1,500 towards gymnastics career

Aryssah Stankevitsch 

Times Reporter  

 

Jordann Mackay, 16, received a grant of $1,500 in competitive gymnastics through the Alberta Sports, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Individuals can qualify only once, for the maximum amount of what Jordann was given. 

“This (the cheque) was a really big help for her for this year,” said Tara Smith, head coach of the Strathmore Silhouettes. “Money unfortunately is a big thing in sports; there’s so many kids that don’t have the opportunities, and grants like this enable them to be able to take part; moving onto coaching even, which benefits other kids too.”

A friend of Mackay’s mom, Korri, found out about the grant two years ago, and recommended she seek it for Mackay’s gymnastics career with the Strathmore Silhouettes.

“I applied for it, for her, under what we call extraordinary circumstances, and it paid for her fees, and kept her going through the year, which I wasn’t in a position to really do,” Korri said.

TransCanada is in partnership as a corporate sponsor with Alberta Sports, Recreations, Parks and Wildlife Foundation; under the TransCanada website, in Community Investment, anyone can apply for grants – groups, clubs, coaches.

“We get a budget for the regions, we have to sit and have meetings, really analyze every single request, and figure out as a group, which ones we feel are the ones in need,” said Land, Community, and Aboriginal Associate for TransCanada, Shari Geisel.

Korri had to explain their circumstances, provide Mackay’s resume, and accomplishments.

“She’s got a lot of bling on her wall, lots of gold and silver. She retired (in 2012) and then she came back, and she’s been coaching. So I had to put all of that together,” Korri said.

The Silouhettes train at Jumphouse Gymnastics, and have around 13 members, whereas most clubs have up to 200. Jordann competed in the 2010 Alberta Winter Games, finishing with bronze, and won eighth overall this year at Provincials. 

“Strathmore became a name that was recognized,” Korri said. “We accomplished something, and Jordann was one of them.”

Now, a Level 1 Certified Coach, Mackay helps with seven to nine-year-olds, and wants to build her coaching career. With one more year of school left, she would be able to carry on through college and save up some money.

“I like coaching here,” Mackay said. “But definitely a bigger club (in the future).”

“It’s been really nice to see her grow. She’s been competitive for six years, and just to see her grow as an athlete, and into a teenager,” said Smith. “To see her take on the responsibility of coaching – it’s really nice to see them grow with the sport.”