In December of each year, the Weeks Hockey Organization proudly awards the Scott Weeks Bursaries to selected alumni of the Weeks Major Midgets hockey club and the Weeks Crushers Junior ‘A’ team. The aim of the bursary is to promote the value of education in combination with an interest in sport and a strong sense of community. Each Bursary of $1750.00 is awarded to a Weeks’ Alumnus who has demonstrated strength and leadership in their athletic and educational pursuits, while showing commitment to their community through volunteerism.

The recipients are full-time students at post-secondary educational institutions, with the award paid jointly to the school and the student. The winners have all shown dedication to doing their best – be it in hockey, academics, or volunteerism. In fact, our winners have demonstrated excellence in all three.

Committed to developing future leaders both on and off the ice, the Board of the Weeks Hockey Organization increased the number of bursaries available from three to five, when the Junior ‘A’ Crushers were introduced in the 2004-05 season. The Scott Weeks Bursary is one way that we recognize and assist the Weeks Alumni who are already on their way to becoming community leaders of the future.

The bursaries are an annual reminder of the values promoted by Scott Weeks and the founders of the organization. Previous winners of the Scott Weeks Bursary include:

1998 - Jeffery Munro, Tony Clarke

1999 - Randy Mosher, Mike Sim, Ben Cotter

2000 - Jared Crawford, Bruce MacEachern, Adam Wilson

2001 - Jay Crossman, Ryan MacDonald, Stephen Cormier

2002 - Philip Diochon, Jody Crawford, Dennis Fanning

2003 - Aaron Fraser, Patrick Rutherford, James Ash

2004 - Ryan White, Andrew Sim, Mike MacDonald, Jeff Keilbotrowski, Mike Chaisson

For more information about the Scott Weeks Bursary Program contact Board Secretary Frank DeMont at fedemont@daleydemont.ca.

THE PICTOU COUNTY MINOR HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT FUND

In 2001, the Weeks Hockey Organization, along with other groups, hosted the very successful Under 17 World Hockey Challenge. As part of the ongoing legacy of this world class event, the organizing committee committed to partial funding of the Pictou County Minor Hockey Development Fund (PCMHDF).

The Purpose of the PCMHDF is to provide assistance for the development of Players, Coaches, and Officials at the Minor Hockey levels. This goal is accomplished through clinics and seminars, along with making educational resources such as books and videos available. Example of development activities include an annual checking clinic at the Pee Wee level, coaching certification clinics, safety and first aid clinics and sensitivity training in respect of harassment as well, and promotion of Canadian Hockey Association awareness programs such as the STOP campaign.

The initial contribution was matched by fundraising efforts by many interested community groups and individuals. Additional funds have been added from time to time as a result of successful hockey events in the County including several initiatives of the Weeks Hockey Organization. The income from the fund is used exclusively within the Pictou County Minor Hockey Association consistent with the Fund’s mandate.

More information about the PCMHDF is available through its Board of Directors or through Pictou County Minor Hockey Association ( http://www.pcmha.com/ )