March 2/11 12:42 pm - CHCH & NCCH Partner to Pump the Sport of Cycling in Hamilton Region

Posted by Editoress on 03/2/11
 

CHCH TV and the National Cycling Centre Hamilton (NCCH) have announced a new long-term partnership to develop youth and high performance cycling through the creation of Team CHCH and the re-branding of the National Cycling Centre Hamilton to the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton.

Through the combination of CHCH's strong presence in the Canadian media market and with the National Cycling Centre Hamilton's long history of producing champions, Team CHCH and the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton will build on a track record of success, developing programs, and supporting athletes from the grass roots up to the elite level.

Team CHCH and the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton will aim to:

• create a strong presence for the sport of cycling in Hamilton and throughout the Province of Ontario;
• provide engaging cycling programs that will reach tens of thousands of Hamilton youth and provide avenues to encourage a range of positive outcomes, from the development of a healthy lifestyle and physical well-being, to establishing clear pathways to competitive success;
• assist athletes reach the pinnacle of success in sport, and to achieve success at National and International competitions;
• promote fair and ethical behaviour in sport;
• inspire people of all ages and abilities to ride their bikes, and to be positive and contributing members of society.

Executive Director of the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton, Andrew Iler, stated that, "The partnership between CHCH and the National Cycling Centre Hamilton is potentially the most exciting news to hit the sport of Canadian cycling in decades.  With the future 2015 Pan Am Games velodrome coming to Hamilton, along with the partnership with a major media broadcaster, the sport of cycling is coming of age in Canada, and Hamilton is well on its way to becoming the 'Cycling Capital of Canada'."

The work that is already being done by the National Cycling Centre Hamilton to develop the sport of cycling will be greatly enhanced by the capacity CHCH brings to showcase programs, competitions, and other cycling-related stories.

Through its support and the support of other sponsors, Team CHCH will allow for a new generation of champions to follow in the footsteps of Steve Bauer and Clara Hughes, who both trained and competed in Hamilton/Niagara and later won Olympic medals.

Cal Millar, President of Channel Zero Inc., champions the new alignment with the National Cycling Centre Hamilton. "This is a great opportunity for CHCH to strengthen its connection to the community by promoting the sport of cycling at the grassroots level through the very unique NCCH schools program. We are also very excited to play a role in providing meaningful support to athletes who will represent Hamilton and Canada at the 2015 Pan Am Games, and future Olympic and Commonwealth Games. CHCH has a forged a 60-year legacy in Hamilton and the Golden Horseshoe, and our new partnership with the NCCH ensures we will be part of a future legacy for cycling champions."

Team CHCH will have a core of Hamilton-based athletes, coaches and support staff.  The Centre is based out of the Ancaster Rotary Centre/Morgan Firestone Arena.  The team will selectively receive applications from athletes at all levels to join its ranks.  Team CHCH will compete at races throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Northern U.S., with a focus on road, track and mountain bike competitions.  With the Canadian Road Championships being held in Burlington in 2011 and in 2012, Team CHCH will be looking to showcase its locally-developed talent.

In the build up to the 2015 Pan Am Games, the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton will continue to lead the way in the development of broad-based cycling programs and athletic success.