ASDC Southwest announces first AEP Athletes

Lethbridge, AB- The Alberta Sport Development Centre Southwest is very excited to announce its first class of athletes for the Athlete Enhancement Program.

The ASDC is a provincially funded network of Centres whose purpose is to coordinate and enhance the services and resources available to Alberta's emerging athletes and coaches.

The AEP program is the premium service of the ASDC Network, targeting the regional athletes that showcase the athletic potential to succeed at a Provincial or National level. The program aims to provide them with the necessary specialized support services to develop to their full potential.

The athletes will receive non-technical coaching and support (including nutrition advice, specific exercise training, mental skills training, etc.) to improve their sport performance at no cost. The services are coordinated by an Athletic Enhancement Team (AET) that works together to assess the athletes current needs and create a development program for the athlete to follow. Shawn Stead, manager of the High Performance Centre at the University of Lethbridge, will serve as athlete facilitator and strength and conditioning coach, while Jennifer Spriddle will lend expertise in the areas of Sport Psychology and Mental Training Skills. Tim Takahashi is the third member of the AET team, bringing expertise in exercise physiology, injury prevention and drug awareness.

“This is an excellent opportunity for some of our area’s best athletes to receive services that they would not normally have the opportunity to access in our area.” stated Centre Executive Director Travis Grindle.

The first phase of the program will operate from now till the end of June. Athlete applications will be accepted again in August for the next phase of the program to begin in September.

“We have an excellent group of committed athletes” said Grindle “For some of them their potential is barely scratched, so this is an excellent opportunity to help them develop and reach their athletic goals.”

Spring 2009 AEP Athlete Participants

  • Ryan Tarnava, Athletics
  • Loudia Laarman, Athletics
  • Jackson Bocksnick, Athletics/Cross Country
  • Garth Philpott, BMX
  • Jazlyn Tabachniuk, Figure Skating
  • Noah Roberts, Rugby
  • Olivia Viergutz, Soccer
  • Jensen Forbes, Soccer
  • Matteo Pasquotti, Soccer
  • Nico Pasquotti, Soccer
  • Rachel Nicol, Swimming
  • Kyle Troskot, Swimming
  • Zach McAllister, Swimming
Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation