A Proud History

None of the following could have been accomplshed without the dedication, devotion and co-operation of many volunteers, Track and Field officials and associations across Canada .

The Legion's interest in Track & Field extends back to the early 1950's. During the early years, the Ontario Legion Hydro branch, No. 277, with the leadership of the late Bob Saunders, chairman, Ontario Hydro, and the late George Duthie, manager of the sports department, Canadian National Exhibition, sponsored the former Canadian Olympic Training plan. The Hydro branch sponsored a series of projects to provide financing for this program, including invitational track meets and big name performances. The success of this program prompted the branch to forward a resolution to the 1956 Dominion convention of the Legion held in Vancouver, requesting, and receiving, the Legion's dominion-wide support of the Olympic Training Plan.

In 1957 The Royal Canadian Legion entered the national track and field scene, when it undertook to finance The Canadian Olympic Training Plan. From 1957 to 1961, the Legion conducted national athletes' clinics in Toronto , with each province being invited to send a team of selected athletes and coaches.

For the initial four years, the program was under the direction of coaches Franz Stampfl, Don Canham and Dave Rankin. During that time, more than 700 athletes, and a number of coaches attended the clinics, each culminating with track and field meets at The Canadian National Exhibition.

In 1962, the federal government awarded a grant to the Legion in support of the first Canadian National Clinic for track and field coaches at Guelph , Ontario (this support continued until 1969). The 1962 clinic was under the direction of world-renowned Geoffrey Dyson, former British national coach, with John Disley, John Savidge, Denis Cullum, French coach Jacques Bergougnous and nine well-known Canadian coaches assisting.

In addition, four summer and three winter training camps were held, which were attended by a total of 475 young track and field athletes.

At the conclusion of the 1962 coaches' clinic, Geoffrey Dyson accepted the position of the Legion's sports training program coordinator for a 5-year period. During this tenure, more than 1,300 coaches received the benefit of the program, with an additional 2,500 coaches receiving training at provincial and regional clinics.

In 1963, the Legion recognized the need for Canadian technical periodicals on track and field. As a result, COACHING REVIEW and THE TRACK AND FIELD ANNUAL were produced. This program, made possible by the unique organization and resources of the Legion, combined with the support of the federal government, passed into history in 1969, when the Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate of the Department of National Health and Welfare advised that, as a result of a study of policies and guidelines relating to grants under the Fitness Act, no further federal financial support would be available.

From then until 1975, the existing track and field programs only went to the provincial level. In 1975, a Canada-wide pilot track and field meet was conducted at Waterloo , Ontario . It was such a resounding success that a second national meet was held in Edmonton , Alberta , in 1976, which also proved to be a great success. The two pilot camps showed that there was a need, and that young Canadians certainly gained from the experience.

In keeping with the Legion's commitment to our youth, funds were allocated for National Track and Field camps starting in 1977. Funds are still being allocated, with planning of future camps commencing five years in advance. Since 1977 the Legion has invested millions of dollars to hold national annual track and field camps to provide training and competition at the national level for young track and field athletes. The camps provide these youths opportunities to mix with other athletes, coaches and chaperones from all parts of Canada.

In addition to the national commitment local Legion branches, in concert with their provincial commands bid for the right to host this event. As such the location varies from year to year providing national exposure and experience to all parts of the country. The following lists the host cities:

In 1985, the program was expanded to include coaching certification courses. With the co-operation of the Canadian Track and Field Association, and the Coaching Association of Canada, highly qualified coaches and clinicians from across Canada conducted the courses and also took part in the clinics for the young athletes.

In 1997, the name of the Dominion Command Athletic Camp was changed to the Legion National Track and Field Championships. These championships are divided into two sections - one consisting of a two-day meet and the second, two days of training clinics, attended by approximately 400 athletes and coaches.

The National Track and Field Championships are only one aspect of the total involvement of The Royal Canadian Legion with track and field in Canada . Many branches across the country sponsor local track and field clubs all year round, and many provincial commands hold provincial meets and training camps for hundreds of young athletes.

This total collective effort from across the country combined with the assistance of the provincial and national Athletics Canada organizations, the calibre of the athletes competing nationally is very high. National and provincial athletic associations have described the program as one of the best in existence and have qualified it to be of international merit. To bear this out, one third of the track and field athletes who were chosen to participate in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and all Canadian medal winners, had gone through Legion camps. This legacy has continued throughout the years as Legion athletes continue to represent Canada nationally and internationally.

Legion Stars

Over the years, numerous athletes who have attended the Legion camps have gone on to attend and achieve medals at international and Olympic competitions. Here are some members of Canada's national teams you may recognize.

• Angela Bailey (100 m)
• Angela Chalmers (300 m)
• Alain Metullis (High Jump)
• Alex Zaliauskas (High Jump)
• Aloson Wiley (Distance)
• Atlee Mahorn (100 m 200 m)
• Brad McCuaig (200 m)
• Brenda Shackleton (Distance)
• Brian Franklin (800 m)
• Brian Marshall (High Jump)
• Charles Lafrancois (High Jump)
• Charmaine Cooks (800 m 400 m)
• Cheryl Allen (400 m)
• Cheryl Coker (Javelin)
• Connie Polman-Tuin (Shot Put)
• Courtney Brown (200 m & 400 m)
• Dave Reid (150 m)
• Donald Duprey (400 m Hurdles)
• Dylan Armstrong (Hammer Throw)
• Edrick Floreal (Long and Triple Jumps)
• Émilie Mondor (800 m, 1,500 m, 5,000 m)
• Faye Roblin (Javelin)
• France Gareau (100 m)
• Glenroy Gilbert (100 m)
• Graham Hood (1,500 m)
• Ian James (Long Jump)
• Jill McDermid (400 m Hurdles)
• Jillian Richardson (400 m)
• Julie Roucheleau (100 m Hurdles)
• Kevin Sullivan (800 m, 1,500 m)
• Ladonna Antoine (400 m)
• Linda McCurdy (High Jump)
• Liz Polyak ( Discus)
• Mark McKoy (110 m Hurdles)
• Martin St. Pierre (20 km Walk)
• Michelle Brotherton (Shot Put)
• Mike Smith (Decathlon)
• Nicole Devonish (Long Jump)
• Paul McCloy (Distance)
• Peter Massfeller (Javelin)
• Peter Ogilvie (200 m)
• Raymond Seguin (High Jump)
• Robert Esmie (100 m)
• Robin Meagher (3000 m)
• Rosey Edeh (100 m)
• Shane Niemi (400 m, Long Jump)
• Simon Hoogewerf (800 m)
• Sterling Hinds (200 m)
• Sultana Fritzzell (Hammer)
• Tim Kroeker (100 m Hurdles)
• Tony Sharpe (100 m)
• Yolande Jones(80 m Hurdles)