MEDIA RELEASE

CANADIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ROWING ASSOCIATION GIVES DONATION TO KIDS HELP PHONE IN SUPPORT OF KIDS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

May 25, 2020 – To mark this year’s Mental Health Week and support children in need of help during these uncertain times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association is donating $5,000 to Kids Help Phone.

Communities need to support each other during times of need and the CSSRA wants to help do its part as our country grapples with this unprecedented health crisis. We are an organization that supports high school athletes pursue their rowing dreams, and while the oars stay out of the water we want to make sure young people have the tools they need to support good mental health during this difficult time.

Kids Help Phone is a national organization that does great work offering young people in crisis the assurity that they are never alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for young people used to being in school and around friends and family, and often stressful worries about their health and the health of their loved ones. With our donation we know Kids Help Phone will be able to help provide support to any young person who needs to talk.

“For 75 years CSSRA has taken pride in supporting high-school rowers on and off the water. This donation is a way for our organization to continue to support our athletes and all young people navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic.”
– Dave Pelette, Director, CSSRA

CONTACT

For media inquiries contact:

James Ingram
Secretary, CSSRA
(647) 969-6127

In the present circumstances and based on the information provided to date, the Board of Directors of the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association has decided that the 75th Annual Championship Regatta which was to be held June 5th – 7th, 2020, and all associated 75th anniversary events planned to be a celebration of high school rowing, are hereby cancelled. This Championship Regatta will not be held at a future date this year. The 75th Annual Championship Regatta will be held June 4th -6th, 2021. This decision was made following extensive review and as part of the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association role in society’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Coronavirus.

We have not taken this decision lightly. However, our decision to cancel the 2020 Championship Regatta was made to safeguard the health and safety of the athletes, coaches, school administrators, umpires, families in our rowing community, and all our hundreds of valued volunteers involved in the staging and running of our Championship Regatta.

We encourage all in the rowing family to adhere to Government requirements on physical distancing and guidance on good hygiene during this difficult time. This complicated situation reminds us that we are all part of a broader society with a responsibility to look out for one another. That is what the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association will continue to do, and we are grateful for your understanding.

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you at the greatest High School Championship Regatta next year, June 4th – 6th, 2021.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association