Calgary Athlete Bursary Program (and area)

Giving back to sport and directly to the athletes is very dear to my heart. I’m so excited to be able to offer this bursary program! My family and I had an extremely challenging time financially on my journey through sport to become an Olympic athlete. I’m thrilled to be able to now do what I can to  support athletes and their families on their journey to excellence. The skills our athletes learn through sport are unbelievably valuable and transferable to every aspect of their lives going forward regardless of ever making it to an Olympic level. I want to do my part to help families continue to be able to afford the huge financial commitment it takes to support their athletes.” – Shayna (2004 Olympic Athlete, 2004 – 2006 Cirque du Soleil Performer, now top producing RE/MAX Realtor with the Beautiful Homes Team)

Each year we give out one $1500 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary to a local athlete.

Who is eligible to apply for the Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary?

An athlete who:

Lives and trains full time in Calgary and area (including: Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, Chestermere, Langdon, Strathmore and within 30 minutes of the Calgary city limits)
Is between the ages 12 – 19 years old
Is competitive in a recognized summer or winter Olympic sport
Has within the last 2 years either:

Qualified for an Alberta Provincial Team
Qualified for a Canadian National Team
Individually placed or ranked in the top 100 Nationally in their age category

When will we be accepting applications for the 2018 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport  $1500 Bursary?

We will begin accepting applications April 1, 2018 – May 20, 2018. Applications received after May 20, 2018 will not be accepted and will be returned for submission for the following year if still eligible. The application will be available anytime between April 1, 2017 – May 18, 2018. To receive a copy of the application email shayna@beautifulcalgaryhomes.com.

Can a previous applicant apply again?

YES!! Please do for as long as you are eligible.

How is the recipient announced?

We will contact the recipient’s coach directly before the end of May 2018 and arrange with their club an appropriate time to formally present the bursary to the athlete.

Please contact us directly if you have any questions or would like more information on how we support our athletes.

Congratulations to our Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary Recipients!

Jaime Czarkowski – Synchronized Swimmer ($1500 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary 2017)

Jaime Czarkowski, a 13 year old synchronized swimmer from Calgary, recently completed an amazing season with the Calgary Aquabelles Swim Club. After winning Gold in both team and figures in Alberta Provincial Championships, Jaime continued her success with a Gold in both team and figures again at the Canadian National Championships.

Jaime’s strong work ethic and passion for the support enabled her success as well as the amazing coaches and swimmers that she works with every day.  Jaime season led to a place on the 13-15 year old Team Canada, and a summer away from home training in Toronto. The team went on to compete at the Comen Cup in Portugal and finished 5th in the world. Jaime swam in the team event and was named alternate for the duet, which placed 5th overall as well.

Jaime’s commitment to being a team player was recognized by her teammates who voted her the recipient of the club spirit award this year.

Jaime started synchronized swimming at the age of 7 after participating in a “Try Synchro” at the Calgary Winter Club.  She spent 5 years training with the club which prepared her to join the national age group high performance program with the Calgary Aquabelles.

Jaime comes from an athletic family and is very appreciative of everything and everyone around her, never taking this support for granted. She feels so privileged to be around so many amazing coaches and swimmers, always learning, always pushing to be just a little bit better everyday. …..We are so proud to help support Jaime’s journey to excellence and excited to follow her career!

Searik Cass Markle – Freestyle Skier ($1500 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary 2014)

Searik Cass Markle is currently a member of the Alberta Freestyle Mogul Team with hopes to work her way to qualify for a Canadian National Mogul Team. In the last couple of years, she has individually placed 1st at the Canadian Freestyle Junior Nationals in both single and dual moguls (2013) and 6th place at the Canadian Freestyle Skiing Senior Nationals in dual moguls (2014). Searik’s experience through sport so far has taught her many invaluable life lessons including how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, time management, how to maintain a high grade average at school, conquer her fears and push her limits on a daily basis.

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Brady Garcia – Sprint Canoe ($1500 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary 2015)

Brady Garcia – Sport has been his life for as long as he can remember. Being raised by a busy single mom, he was always in and out of gymnastics clubs, arenas and summer camps where he became a stronger person physically and emotionally. When his step dad came into his life, he helped him learn even more about work ethic and discipline. One day, his friend told him about sprint canoe. He fell in love with it instantly.

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Ben Churchill – Biathlon ($1500 Beautiful Homes Excellence in Sport Bursary 2016)

Ben Churchill, a 17 year old biathlon athlete has recently qualified to represent Canada at the 2016 Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games in Norway and was selected as the Flagbearer for Team Canada. In the past few years he has won 3 gold, 4 silver and a bronze medal at the Canadian Biathlon Championships and the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Often competing in age groups above him.

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