Danilo Malanczyj, a young local athlete, is among 37 recipients of the James Worrall Athletes’ Development Fund grant for promising young amateur athletes in Ontario. Danilo received his $500 grant at a presentation at the Sport Alliance of Ontario in Toronto on June 26.

Danilo, who attended the Tuesday ceremony, was nominated by Orienteering Ontario for his achievements in the sport. Danilo has been orienteering since the age of 10. Performing above his age category, he often competes on advanced courses. He participates in training clinics, National and Provincial level when they are available.

The James Worrall Fund was created in 2000 by the Sport Alliance of Ontario in cooperation with the Provincial Sports Organizations Council, to assist young Ontario athletes in their development by covering expenses such as transportation, accommodation, equipment, clothing, and registration fees to competitions, clinics, and camps. Athletes under 18 years of age (and disabled athletes of any age) are eligible for funding under the programme.

The Fund is named in honour of James Worrall, OC, QC, IOC, an outstanding member of Ontario’s sport community. Now 87, Mr. Worrall served for many years as Canadian member of the International Olympic Committee, and was Canada’s flagbearer at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He maintains an active interest in amateur sport development, and presented the grants to the 19 young athletes who participated in the ceremony. Award recipients also received copies of Mr. Worrall’s recent autobiography, ‘My Olympic Journey’.

Since the Fund’s inception, a total of $54,500 has been disbursed to young Ontario athletes through the Fund. Athletes who wish to apply for grants in 2001 may do so via their Provincial Sport Organizations. A copy of the application form and other Fund information is available on the SAO website at www.sportalliance.com.