Josh Riker-Fox finished his season on a high note.
The Delacour modern pentathlon athlete placed 26th at the World Cup final in Moscow on June 20, and was also named one of 20 winners of $5,000 in the 2010 Investors Group Athletes Fund Bursary last week.
“It is an honour to be selected for the Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund as there are numerous deserving athletes applying for this bursary,” said Riker-Fox, who is currently ranked number 15 in the world. “This is a highly competitive award, and I feel very fortunate to be a representative of the 2010 IG bursary recipients.”
The award, which has been provided by AthletesCAN on behalf of Investors Group since 2000, is designed to assist Canada’s elite amateur athletes with the costs of training and competition. Selection criteria includes athletic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
“The Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund is proud to be able to support the efforts of outstanding athletes like Joshua,” said Richard Irish, vice president of community affairs and area marketing for Investors Group.
“The example of commitment, hard work and achievement offered by athletes like Joshua gives a tremendous boost to individuals – young and old – across our nation.”
“This bursary recognizes the excellence Joshua exhibits both on and off the field of play,” said Jasmine Northcott, AthletesCAN executive director. “AthletesCAN is excited to see the great things this bursary will help him achieve.”
Riker-Fox competed in six modern pentathlon World Cup events this season, placing eighth in Medway, U.K. and 11th in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, earlier this year.
He will now focus on training for next year, something that will be made easier thanks to the bursary.
“At the moment, funding for my sport, outside of the private sector’s support, both individually and at the national sport organization level is non-existent,” Riker-Fox said.
“This bursary will allow me to attend training camps and competitions that I would otherwise be unable to afford. Further, it will let me focus more on my performance and less on my finances. This enables me to advance athletically while being a better member of my community, as I can devote more time to my development and to my involvement with the groups that I’m affiliated with.”
