Canadian Athlete Family Program

A Gold Medal Mom -- Nancy Ricker

Check out this great interview with Maëlle Ricker's mom, Nancy Ricker. She is so proud and so darn nice! It's clear that Maëlle had great family support all along the way ... right to the top of the podium. Congrats to the entire Ricker Family!

First Day: Family, the Games and Cheer - What Could Be Better?

After arriving late Friday night, I was welcomed by my big sis Lindsey & Andy with a BIG HUG and glass of champagne to toast the Opening Ceremonies (on DVR). They provided a personal play by play as they were at the ceremony!! (Bless the genius who invented DVR).  Exhausted, I crashed on the couch 3AM EST.

The next morning, I threw on my finest Canadian gear -- spicy red tights, Canada T-shirt, red sunglasses and a floppy red hat and picked up my Co-Family Correspondent (Rob) and my mom. Pure joy -- the Brown kids reunited with their mom at last!

With Coffee in hand, the 5 of us begin our first full day. Mom and Lindsey got tickets from a friend to the Women's Hockey Game (THANKS Diana) -- and Lindsey made the Jumbo-Tron with her TSN sign -- Top Shelf jayNa. (Hat trick by the Kingstonian).  Mom and Lindsey said they were so proud as Canadians when the entire arena gave a standing "O" to the Slovak team. They then danced in the street and sang an impromptu OH CANADA in the street.

Rob, Andy and I hopped on the "Olympic Train" and headed to Granville Island. Candied salmon, fresh take out mussels and an Aqua Bus later, we parked ourselves at the Forum Sports Bar for 5 hours of solid Olympic Coverage and cheer. We watched Jen Heil win our first medal -- classy, classy competitor. Toasted the Women's Hockey team to their Olympic record win. And held our breath as Canadian speed skater hopefuls tried to qualify.

After 22 hours of being awake, it was time to tuck mom into bed (total trooper) and dream about our next Olympic adventure.

We couldn't have asked for a better start to the Games. The energy is electric, everyone is so friendly, the weather is great ... and we are together. (Well almost, just missing our Dad & "C"--step-mom, and Sully (fiancee, who arrives tomorrow). So many great moments to come.

"..And that's the Brown Low Down"

Our Hometown, K-Town, Warm Wishes to our Athletes

Well, I have finally landed at the 2010 Games! I am just awaiting my Petro-Canada Family Correspondent Sidekick to start our big adventure. He arrives in 1 hour! We will have lots of great updates coming soon. But in the meantime, please view this special video from our Hometown -- featuring Kingston families and local celebrities.  "The K-Town Send-off to our 2010 Athletes". Thanks Kingston!!

"And that's the Brown Lowdown"

ROB & STEPH

The “So-Nice Family”, Oops I mean Shouldice Family

Here is my own definition of Aerials: “Race down a ski hill as fast as you can then fearlessly launch yourself off a massive ramp like a mad man while performing death defying acrobatic twists and flips and then (hopefully) nailing a landing.

Now you must be thinking any family that lets their children do this must be NUTS, right? Well I am writing to tell you they are not nuts at all.  In fact they are a classic Canadian family - supportive, sweet and proud.  This past week I had the great pleasure of chatting with Marty and Rick Shouldice. Parents of Warren Shouldice, AKA “Wookie”, Canadian Olympic Aerials Hopeful. 

Before I jump into the details of my interview with Marty and Rick here are some quick facts about Warren.

• He is 26.
• His hometown is Calgary.
• He has dual citizenship, but has only EVER wanted to compete for Canada.
• National team member for 8 years.
• He placed 3rd in the 2009 World Championships.
• 6th Place at 2006 Olympic games in Turin
• He also loves hockey, video games, skateboarding and surfing.
• He is afraid of moths.
• Got into aerials from competing in gymnastics.
• Watch him compete February 22nd at the 2010 Games.

The Shouldice Family

The very first feeling I picked up on while talking to the Shouldices was that they were radiating with pride. Not only for the success of Warren, but for all of their sons.  Warren is the oldest, the fearless athlete. (Really fearless! See the daring semi-nude photo from a recent Chatelaine magazine. Warning - definitely PG-13!). Jason, the funny middle child, an engineer and UFC athlete. Finally, there’s Kenton the youngest but tallest, a business & finance guru and music lover.  Similarly to “The Brown Family”, all of their stories started and ended with family support. At the end of the day, Marty and Rick always encouraged the boys to be successful in their own areas—even though they were all competitive Junior National Freestyle Skiers. Even though I spoke to them on the phone, I could sense they were glowing with pride over each of the boys’ success.

Similarly to many Canadian families, they spent many early mornings shuffling the boys to various practices, races and competitions. Marty, the mom would be “looking like a Christmas tree” says Rick—the loudest, most enthusiastic cheerleader with her cowbell and whistles never fading. Rick on the other hand, to this day still gets so nervous he can’t eat the day of Warren’s events.  Those nervous feelings don’t compare to our family watching Robbie play goal during the last minutes of overtime –these nerves were heightened after a terrible “water ramp” accident Warren suffered in the summer of 2002 and then a 2nd serious accident this past fall. 

Help us Get the Inside Scoop from our Canadian Families

With the recent announcement of CLARA HUGHES as Canada's official flag bearer, and with daily additions to the 2010 athlete list, "The Games" are becoming more and more of a reality. That means, we the Petro-Canada Family Correspondents have to get our "A" game ready. We have to start our Training for 2010. (T-minus the early morning practices and hardcore workouts that make you want to throw up a little)

I have started a long list of questions that I think Canada wants to know about our Athletes and their families, but we also want your input. What are the burning questions that you need to know? 

Of course we are going to be asking the families some more common questions like "What sacrifices has your family made to get ______ to the Games?"  Was your entire family involved in competitive sport?" Who was their hero as a child?"  You get the picture. 

But, we want the INSIDE SCOOP, so I have started a list of fun questions that we want you to comment on and/or add to:

1. Approximately how long will you hug them in seconds after their event?
2. What is their favourite home-cooked meal?
3. What is their pre-game, pump up song song?
4. When they PB or win Gold, what will be your après event cocktail?
5. Is there a time when they wanted to quit this sport? What changed their mind?
6. Have you ever lost your cool at an event? On a judge or another fan?
7. Tell us a funny story about _____ as a child that would make them blush.
8. From 1-10 how hyped up are they before their event? 10 being the highest.1 being Calm and cool.
9. You just won the gold medal for being the BEST family member ever. Give your acceptance Speech and victory wave.
10. Steal your child's thunder for 30 seconds—what is something you are the best at?
11. Will you buy gas from Petro-Canada forever?
12. Did you by the Petro-Canada Glassware?
13. Will you tell us your room number? And will there be a party later?
14. How are we doing as amateur journalists? 10 being Anderson Cooper 1 being a TMZ cameraman.
15. Who is a louder cheerer, you or your hubby?
16. Who took them to the early morning practices?
17. Does your family have a secret cheer or handshake?  Will you teach it to us? 

Send us your feedback here, on the blog site, or reach us instantly when a GREAT question pops into your head on Twitter at: @stephb10 or @4RGB8.

"....and that's The Brown Low Down"

Steph & Rob. :)

 

Just like Petro-Canada, we put family first

Since winning the Family Correspondent Contest, besides being completely over joyed with the "GRAND PRIZE", I can't stop reminiscing about my families dedication to my life in sport.  As long as I can remember, my parents were either shuffling 3 of us to 3 different practices multiple days a week, coaching games, leaving work early to watch a  "big" game, dishing out money for new equipment and travel, nursing an injury or patiently listening to the exact play by play of that evenings game over a home cooked meal. (Actually, most of these still happen to this day.)

How did they find the time? The money? The energy? The patience? 

To this day I am completely amazed and thankful for my parents dedication and steadfast commitment to our lives in sport. We are better people and a closer family because of it.

So when we quoted in our video, "Just like Petro-Canada, we the Brown Family put Family First", it's the honest truth. That's why we are so thrilled to be representing the Family Program for Petro-Canada. We have benefited first hand from having our family with us as we competed-- hands down it positively impacts your performance and enhances your mental strength. On the World stage, it can only be greater. 

As I said in THE HERITAGE NEWSPAPER-- "The advantage for the athletes (having their family's with them at the Games) is that they can focus on competing and they don't have to worry about the stress of whether their family members get there,"  "They know they will have the support of their families."

Read the Full article at: http://emckingston.ca/20100121/lifestyle/Family-first+attitude+helps+siblings+win+trip+to+Olympics

We will surely see the positives results from Petro-Canada's investment in our athletes families in the Canadian medal tally-- but long term, having your parents watching you LIVE at the biggest sporting event of your life--now that's priceless. Just ask me. 

"...And that's the Brown Low Down"

Photo Credit: Mark Kerr, Kingston EMC

How I came to be a Petro-Canada Family Correspondent

You know as a kid when you said, "Ok, this is for the World Championships of The World", and then you scored the winning goal on your grandpa on your backyard rink? (INSERT VICTORY FIST PUMP & STICK RIDING) Of course you do. Every Canadian has felt that moment.  Well, this was the same feeling we had when we GOT "the call" from Petro Canda, telling us we won a trip to the Olympics as the Petro-Canada Family Correspondents.

Let me back up for a minute. Here is how we got here:

1. Thankfully I was creeping on Facebook and came across the Family Correspondent contest from PETRO-CANADA.
2. Read the Rules, watched the videos and ACCEPTED the challenge with my younger brother Robbie. AKA Rob--his grown up name. (This was a plan so we could share the experience with our big sis who moved to Vancouver in August. We are 3 peas in a Pod.)
3. Then we made Petro-Canada Microphones out of Hanna Montanna dollar store Microphones and found Petro Canada 1988 Olympic Champagne Glasses at the Salvation Army to feature in the vid.
4. On Christmas Eve, with Canadian outfits, hockey gear, microphones and Petro-Canada glasses in hand we headed to the local outdoor rink where my finance, Greg, shot the video for us. Yes, many people thought we were nut. Nothing new.
5. Christmas Day, our friend edited the video (with the "clutch" bobble-head photos) and we submitted our entry on the last day. Oops. Just added to the dramatic ending. See video below!
6. Interview happens 2 days later where we brag about how super fantastic our sporty & supportive family is. (LOL)
7. One weekish later...I checked my voicemail from Robbie and hear this..."HOLY MOLY...ANSWER YOUR PHONE....WE ARE GOING TO THE OOOLLLYYYMMMMPICCCSSSS" . (I am keeping this PG 13)
8. It's Official. WE ARE THE PETRO-CANADA FAMILY CORRESPONDENTS. Pure JOY.

Hi, I am Steph Brown. A rookie to the blog scene but a regular at telling the fun adventures of my life. I hope you will join me  and my brother "Robbie"  on our OLYMPIC Adventure with Petro-Canada as theIr Family Correspondents. Just be sure to bring a funny hat.

Over the next few weeks--get to know us, laugh at us, give us feedback,buy your gas from Petro-Canada, send us questions to ask Olympic families, and above all else have a lil' fun with us.

Big, HUGE, Petro-Sized thank you to Petro-Canada for this wonderful opportunity. To learn more about how Petro-Canada is giving the experience of a lifetime to the families of all our Canadian athletes go to www.iwilldreambig.com (Click on Family Program)

"...And that's the Brown Low Down"

(After studying "Anchorman", we learned that a handle is key.)

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LOCAL NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2260214

Congrats to Our Family Correspondents

We’re excited for the winners of our Family Correspondent Contest: Rob & Stephanie Brown, Mike & Daniel Radoslav and Anne-Marie Finn & Denis Van Decker!

We’re looking forward to having them report LIVE from Vancouver, and share the experiences of families participating in the Canadian Athlete Family Program.  You can see their winning videos below.  

Plus, make sure you're following them on Twitter:

• Rob Brown - @4RGB8
• Stephanie Brown - @Stephb10
• Dan Radoslav - @DJR_7
• Mike Radoslav - @picante
• Anne-Marie Finn - @BigFamilyDream

We’d also like to thank the rest of our finalist family members - Jean-François Frenette, Eric Arseneau, Nicole Stuber, and Sonia Stuber. To show our appreciation, these finalists will receive a Petro-Canada 2010 Olympic Fan Package which includes a set of Petro-Canada glassware, a variety of coin cards, Petro-Canada pins, and $100 in gas. 

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in our Family Correspondent Contest. We’re looking forward to seeing the Petro-Canada Family Correspondents in Vancouver shortly. Stay tuned for more details.

Updated on Jan 9 to include additional winners.