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Funding Olympic dreams

Les Waite and Nathaniel Miller shared a lot in common in helping announce Thursday that a Red Deer youth program had received a significant financial boost from a national bank.
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Olympic water polo player Nathaniel Miller joins Boys and Girls Club members in dodgeball at Fairview Elementary School Thursday.

Les Waite and Nathaniel Miller shared a lot in common in helping announce Thursday that a Red Deer youth program had received a significant financial boost from a national bank.

Jean Reichenbach, Red Deer branch manager of the The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced that the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer was the recipient of $40,000 for its after school program.

She said the Red Deer club was identified as having one of the best after school programs in Canada.

“A recent study on after school programs has found that high quality programs foster self esteem and teamwork as well as academic and athletic improvement,” Reichenbach said in the Fairview Elementary School gym.

More than 30 excited kids parents, teachers and other officials heard Miller outline his journey as a young child to become captain and member of Canada national men’s water polo team which won several international games medals and become the first Canadian men’s team to earn a spot at the Olympics in 2008 in China.

Waite, who is the Red Deer Youth and Volunteer Centre’s program co-ordinator, said he can always remember being connected with the Boys and Girls Club.

Both grew up in single parent families and turned to the programs offered for youths in sports and recreation to succeed in their career paths.

Miller, who retired from competitive water polo last year, is now involved in the RBC as an Olympian.

“RBC didn’t just want to give out grants but wanted to get athletes in communities across Canada.”

He said the seven-year program started with seven athletes and now numbers 30.

He said the partnership helps the company and gives the athletes on the job training as well as becoming community ambassadors.

A graduate of the University of Calgary the Montreal-born Miller told the kids he never had dreams of becoming an Olympian.

Canada finished 11th in China.

He said he participated in many sports and naturally wanted to play hockey for the Montreal Canadiens.

However, he got interested in swimming then water polo around age 12.

“I came from a family that was pretty disadvantaged with a single mother.

“Programs like this are exactly why I was able to pursue my dreams as a kid.

“So a chance to come back and bring some excitement to a program like this is really a thrill for me,” said Miller who is married to Canadian heptathlon champion Jessica Zelinka who finished fifth at the Beijing Olympics setting a Canadian points record.

“The RBC awards are focused on programs that give kids self esteem,” said Miller who was named the tourney MVP on the gold-medal winning Canadian team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Waite said the money will allow the program to expand from its currentr once or twice a week program. He said the program offers kids in the area a safe place to attend and enjoy the companionship of other kids and the mentorship of instructors.

“It gives them more opportunities to grow. It’s a good gateway into many positive activities.”

He said 30-40 kids are registered which at times swells to about 40.

The money will cover staffing costs and educational and program supplies.

Waite said he first became involved in the summer camps sponsored by the club.

“I got opportunities to go on hiking trips and then became involved with the club in town.”

Waite said he also came from a single parent family and the cost of belonging to the club was minimal.

“Some things are expensive and the club allowed me to get into some positive things which have become life long learning experiences.”

Miller said he realized when he was young that sports such as hockey were expensive but water polo cost next to nothing which pleased his mom.

Miller said his fondest memory was beating Rumania at an Olympic qualifying tourney prior to China in the Rumanians back yard.

Miller is now the technical director of the Alberta Water Polo Association He hopes some day to lend his knowledge to the sport through coaching.

jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com