Silver Lake Rower gets one of Ontario's first rowing bursaries offered
 
Silver Lake Rowing Club is proud to announce that Rowontario has awarded Samantha Fairley (Port Dover Composite School graduate) one of the two $2500 rowing bursaries, offered for the first time this year.  It was not known by SLRC at press time who received the second award in Ontario.
 
The provincial rowing organization saw the need for financial support for academic athletes to continue with their sport while attending an Ontario university.  This award required Samantha to have a teacher reference, high school honors, coaching references, good past rowing results and committed to trying for university junior varsity or varsity rowing. Part of the results had to include competing in finals at the Canadian high school championships (where Samantha won bronze along with partner Hannah Anderson in the senior  63kg pair ) as well as the summer provincial championships (where the pair won bronze again rowing up a category to row lightweight in the under 23 age). These on water results were accompanied by good erg results this year with Samantha's best result placing 3rd at Rudernkrieg ergatta and 4th at the Canadian Indoor races in the under 135 pound weight class.
This bursary along with over $10,000 she received in various academic scholarships makes it more feasible to stay in Canada for post secondary school versus joining the ranks heading to the States.
 
The Rowontario website announced the award program with a posting on their site as follows: 
 
 

ROWONTARIO recognizes that for an athlete to excel both academically and in the sport of rowing during their high school career, that athlete must possess the same characteristics that will see them excel in life.

ROWONTARIO also recognizes the financial burden placed on those athletes who want to continue their rowing and academic careers at an Ontario university.

ROWONTARIO believes it is very important to support those athletes who continue to excel academically and athletically in as many ways as possible.

With this in mind, ROWONTARIO is pleased to announce the creation of the ROWONTARIO Bursary Award.

Starting in 2008, ROWONTARIO will present up to two (2) cash awards totalling $5,000.00 (1- $5,000.00 award or 2-$2,500.00 awards, at the discretion of the selection committee) to a deserving applicant (or applicants) who meets the eligibility criteria
 

Pictured below:

Hannah Anderson( bow) and Samy Fairley (stroke) in their very successful lwt pair combination.

********release sent out Aug 23*******then posted August 25, 2008 on Rowontario  web-site was :

2008 ROWONTARIO Bursary Award

2008 Winners Announced!!

We are very pleased to announce that the winners of this year's ROWONTARIO Bursary Award are Samantha Fairley (Silver Lake Rowing Club) and Nicholas Schudlo (St. Catharines Rowing Club).