Zone4 Supports Young Athletes

We all know how difficult it is for an athlete to achieve success on the world stage.  They must endure hours of intense and difficult training, overcome injuries and setbacks, and become mentally and emotionally prepared to compete at a high level.  A high level athlete spends the most part of their days focused on their training for their sport.  There is little time for anything else.  A young athlete is also faced with financial challenges to not only support their daily living, but also to pay for coaching, equipment, training camps, race fees and travelling.  Sport training has become extremely expensive, and it is not easy for an athlete to balance their time training with their need to support themselves.   

Zone4 is committed to helping young athletes reach their dreams, and here in Canmore, we hire local young cross-country skiers to give them support during their training.  We offer them parttime and fulltime work at a good wage, and we accommodate their unusual hours, and their need to be off work for periods of time when they are away at competitions.  The athletes appreciate the flexible work schedule, the experience they gain in the workplace, and the ability to earn some money while they are training.

Nate Gerwing is a Biathlete currently training full-time with the Rocky Mountain Racers (RMR)

Around the Zone4 office, these hard workers do a variety of jobs from organizing equipment for the timing of upcoming races, to assisting with the production of Zone4’s new server and timing boxes.  They also build and program the timing chips we use at races, and generally help with whatever is needed in our busy office.

Often there are piles of roller skis, poles and bikes at our front entrance because the athletes are always coming from or going to practices, as they try to fit work hours in between their training sessions. We see them regularly for some weeks, and then they disappear for a few weeks while they are away at camps or competitions.

Matthew Strum is a Biathlete currently training full-time with the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre (BATC)

Here at Zone4, we really appreciate the work these young athletes do, and their ability to balance training at a high level for their sport with the efforts they give to their job. Their attitude of always working to be the best they can be and their ability to persevere is outstanding.  They are a great benefit to Zone4 as many of the skills they have learned from their sport carry over into their work habits.  

We are cheering for all the athletes both at Zone4 and all the athletes using Zone4.  We wish them all the best this season!  Good luck with your goals to succeed on the world stage.