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Nike Youth Achievement
Award
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Kara-Laina Ikola
Nike Canada Ltd. and the Canadian Association for
the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS)
are pleased to announce that Kara-Laina Ikola of South Porcupine,
Ontario, is this year's recipient of the 2001 Girls@Play Nike
Youth Achievement Award. 
Eighteen year-old Kara-Laina is an exemplary young woman who devotes
much of her time to encouraging other girls and young women to
get involved in sport. She has organized 3-on-3 basketball tournaments
as well as coaching, refereeing and assisting with clinics for
local basketball programs.
Kara-Laina has also worked to introduce soccer
at her high school by gathering players, seeking out coaching
staff and organizing practices. Over the past several years, she
has also had a strong role within the ringette community, taking
time from her busy academic schedule to play, assist and coach.
Most notably, Kara-Laina was a member
of a group that took "ringette on the road" and introduced the
sport to girls in northern Ontario communities.
"Kara-Laina is a well-rounded
individual whose leadership skills and friendly personality make
her an excellent role model for other girls and women in our community,"
said Mike Tambeau, nominator. "We are encouraged by the quality
of the nominations that came from across the country and are happy
to be able to recognize Kara-Laina for her outstanding contribution
to girls and women in sport," said Patricia Zeedick, President
of Nike Canada Ltd.
Kara-Laina was surprised to receive the award.
"I really enjoy teaching younger girls new skills in sports -
whether it be ringette, soccer, or basketball - and proving to
them that a girl can do anything that she wants to," she said.
"Girls don't have to limit themselves in sports - the sky's the
limit as long as you work hard at it and enjoy it."
Kara-Laina received a trip for two to the Canadian
Sport Awards, held yesterday in Toronto where she was presented
with her award and a $500 Nike prize package. A donation of Nike
equipment will also be made to a sporting group in the South Porcupine
area on behalf of Kara-Laina.
Nike Canada Ltd. and CAAWS are dedicated to improving
the opportunities available for women involved in sport and wish
to thank all of the outstanding young women who shared their stories.
Visit the CAAWS website at www.caaws.ca/girlsatplay
to learn more about the Nike - CAAWS programs.
Nike Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, markets
its products in more than 100 countries and is the world's leading
sports and fitness company. Nike Canada Ltd., was established
in 1984 and is based in Thornhill, Ontario. Further information
can be obtained at www.nikebiz.com.
CAAWS has a key goal: to get girls and women active
in sport by encouraging them to get out of the bleachers and onto
the ice surfaces; off the sidelines and onto the fields and playing
courts; and into the pools, the locker rooms and boardrooms.
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