Generously sponsored by Speed Skating Canada’s longstanding partner, the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award recognizes the contributions of local clubs to sport and community development and the importance of grassroots programs to high-performance success.

The Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award distributes $20,000 in grants each season to speed skating clubs undertaking grassroots development initiatives that help the sport grow and thrive within their community. It replaces the former Intact Insurance Podium Tracker program, which was active from 2010 to 2018.

Nominees for the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award must demonstrate concrete plans to undertake a grassroots development initiative that aligns with the priority areas and objectives identified in Speed Skating Canada’s 2023-27 Strategic Plan. Examples of past initiatives that meet the criteria for this award include:

• safety enhancements, coach development initiatives, purchase of new equipment, athlete training camps, safe sport and inclusion efforts, revenue generation projects, recruitment activities, advertising or promotional strategies, etc.

Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• There is an identified need in the local community that this initiative will address
• The project will generate a positive impact on speed skating (safety, sport development, participation, awareness, etc.)
• There is a realistic plan to put the initiative in place (budget, people, resources, etc.)
• The project’s success can be measured and/or quantified

To be considered for the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award, a club must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be in good standing and not have any outstanding payments due to Speed Skating Canada or its respective PTSO

A club may only win the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award a maximum of once every five years but may be considered a finalist for the award in any given year.

Five finalist clubs will be identified each year from the group of nominees. Of those finalists, one winning club will be selected.

• The winning club will receive a $10,000 grand prize and a visit from two National Team athletes during the following season.
• The remaining four finalists will each receive a $2,500 prize.