By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Starting From A Young Age
Angie and Garth Shindle are parents of two boys in sport.
Kolton started playing hockey at the age of four and fell in love with it. As he grew up, he got better and better, and started training to play junior hockey. He now plays for the University of Regina.
Jayden grew up playing hockey and football with his brother. While his brother decided to stick with hockey, Jayden decided to commit to football. He’s now playing junior football with the Okanagan Sun.
Paving the Way for Success
To get as far as they have in sports, both Kolton and Jayden had to receive specialized strength and conditioning training.
When they began to get serious about their respective sports, Angie said she started looking for grants that could help. The Athlete Assistance Grant is designed to help athletes who are committed to pursuing their sport long-term.
“Sports are expensive and when you have multiple athletes in your family, the costs add up quickly,” said Angie. “That’s why we’re so thankful for grants like this one that support athletes in pursuit of their dreams.”
The family lives in rural Manitoba and had to travel into Winnipeg four or five times a week to train. With the Athlete Assistance Grant, the boys each received regimented training programs for their sport that included both on- and off-ice and field training.
Athletic Values
“We’re a big believer in team sport and sport in general, and how it can set you up for success in the future,” said Angie. “Sticking with these sports taught them determination and commitment, and to strive to be better every day.”
She said it also made the boys aware of sacrifice and how, sometimes, you have to miss out on things to get that long-term success they’re striving for.
Responsibility, time management, personal growth and awareness – these are just a few of the values Kolton and Jayden have learned that will benefit them beyond their time as competitive athletes.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if both of them turned into coaches some day, and these are all skills they can use for that as well. But for now, they just want to play as long as they can.”
Sport Memories to Last a Lifetime
Angie has countless memories of her boys in sport, but said there are two that really stick out to her.
For Kolton, it was game seven in the MJHL final. The game went down to the wire, and Kolton was on the ice for the winning goal, taking home the Turnbull Cup. The team then went on to win the ANAVET Cup, too.
For Jayden, it was just this past year when his team won the national championship. The team went undefeated, and Jayden was on the starting line throughout the playoffs. In the championship game, the team was down 15-0 and they came from behind to win.
“You always hope your kids can experience these big moments in life,” said Angie. “It’s so rewarding for them to feel all of their hard work over the years pay off in an exciting and big way.”
Angie believes sport is vital for a community, because it brings people of all ages together and teaches people how to be good community members and citizens.
She’s especially appreciative of how it’s connected her family.
“The boys are each other’s greatest cheerleaders and biggest competitors. Even though it’s different sports, they’re always pushing each other to improve and succeed. There’s a lot of adversity and obstacles in sport, and I’m always proud to see how supportive they are of each other.”
Sport Manitoba offers a wide range of grants that emphasize training and skill development to facilitate the growth of athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers across the province. Get more info by visiting our website.
