MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN SPORTS SOUGHT

Nominations are open for the most influential women in sports.

The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) wants to recognize women who have made a significant impact as academics, athletes, administrators, advocates, broadcasters, coaches, executives, fundraisers, managers, officials, psychologists and volunteers.

Women populating the list in previous years include Olympic rower Silken Laumann and Para Olympic swimmer Stephanie Dixon of Victoria.

The CAAWS Most Influential Women List will reflect activity in 2009. Women previously named to the list may be nominated again.

All nominations will be reviewed by a panel established by CAAWS to develop the final list of the most influential women in Sport and Physical Activity for 2009.

Laumann was selected in 2003, 2006 and 2007 while Dixon was recognized in 2004.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, November 27, 2009.

To nominate a candidate please visit http://www.caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/nomination.cfm

Laumann’s 2007 citation stated that she “continues to be an influential figure in sport around the world.”

“She wants to see that the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games inspire kids to play, and leaves a legacy of active and healthy children.

“Increasingly concerned with the health and inactive lifestyles of our children, Silken’s ActiveKids Movement inspires and connects a network of community champions who give our kids healthier and happier childhoods.

“Silken is an active member of the International Board of Directors for Right To Play, dedicated to reintroducing play into the lives of children in refugee camps around the world.

“Her book Child’s Play, simple ideas for parents, educators and caregivers wishing to raise more active and healthy kids, was released in soft cover this year.”

Dixon’s citation states: “Stephanie Dixon, one of Canada’s most successful international swimmers with a disability, is currently pursuing both her swimming career and her studies in psychology at the University of Victoria.

“Born without her right leg, she not only competed in her second Paralympic Games, she also competed at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championships against able-bodied athletes.

“In January at the Canada West Championships, she achieved her dream goal of attaining the CIS qualifying standard in the 200m backstroke. At the CIS Championships, she was awarded an honorary All-Canadian for her performances over the course of the weekend, breaking two world disabled records and narrowly missing a third in the 400m freestyle.

“At the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, she won six individual medals—one gold, four silver and one bronze – along with two silver relay medals. Now in her second year of university, she is an inspiration to all young athletes to pursue their dreams.”

Since then, Dixon has continued to rake in the hardware.

At the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships, in South Africa, Stephanie won an amazing six silver medals, and one gold medal, setting a world record.

In 2007, at the Para Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Stephanie won an equally impressive six gold medals and one silver medal.

She competed at her third Paralympic Games in 2008 Beijing where she broke the world record for a gold medal. She also won two silver medals and a bronze medal.

Stephanie swims under coaches Ron Jacks and Peter Vizsolyi at Pacific Coast Swimming and the University of Victoria.