Rick Brant (athlete) facts for kids
Rick Brant, born on September 27, 1967, is a proud Mohawk athlete. He is known for his amazing skills in track and field, especially middle-distance running. Rick won the Tom Longboat Award in 1987, which is a big national honor for Indigenous athletes. He comes from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation in Ontario. Today, he lives in Cowichan, British Columbia. Rick is also famous for helping create the Aboriginal Sports Circle. He has been a leader for Indigenous sports, including being the CEO for three North American Indigenous Games. He also led the North American Indigenous Games Council for several years.
Rick Brant's Sports Journey
Rick Brant was a member of Canada's National Track and Field and Cross Country teams. He was a national champion in the 800 meters race, the 4x400 meter relay, and team cross country. In 1984, he earned the "Most Improved Athlete" award while with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.
In 1986, Rick was part of the University of Ottawa's Cross Country team. They competed in important university championships. His old high school, Brookfield in Ottawa, honored him in 2008. They added him to their wall of fame for his great track and field and cross country career.
Major Achievements
Rick Brant received the Tom Longboat Award in 1987. This award recognizes the most outstanding Indigenous athlete in Canada. Here are some of his other notable achievements:
- From 1986 to 1988, he was a carded athlete for Canada's National Track and Field Team.
- In 1988, he was named Saskatchewan Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
- From 1987 to 1988, he was the Provincial 800 meter Champion for Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
- In 1987, he was an All-Canadian at the University Indoor Track and Field Championships. His team won the 4x400 meter relay.
- Also in 1987, he was the Espoir Champion in the 800 meters in a competition against Wales and Ireland.
- He won the Canadian Challenge Final in the 800 meters in 1987. He was also named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete.
- In 1986, he was an All-Canadian at the University Team Cross Country Championship.
- He received the National Achievement Award from Ontario Amateur Sport in 1986.
- He reached the Semi-Finals of the 1986 World Junior Championships in the 800 meters.
- In 1986, he became the National Junior Champion in the 800 meters and the 4x400 meter relay.
Helping Indigenous Sports Grow
Rick Brant has done a lot to help sports for Indigenous people in Canada. He helped start the Aboriginal Sports Circle. This group is Canada's main voice for Indigenous sports, recreation, and physical activity. He was the Executive Director of this group from 1998 to 2005.
During his time there, Rick helped bring back the Tom Longboat Awards. He also helped create the National Aboriginal Coaching Awards and the Aboriginal Coaching Modules. These programs help train Indigenous coaches. He also helped start the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
Rick has also been very involved with the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). He helped create the North American Indigenous Games Council. This is the international group that runs the NAIG. He also managed three different NAIG events:
- Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1993
- Victoria, British Columbia in 1997
- Cowichan Valley, British Columbia in 2008
More recently, Rick helped set up the Indigenous Sport Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) in British Columbia. He also helped create the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy for BC. This was the first long-term plan of its kind in North America. Rick is currently the Executive Director of I·SPARC. This group is the official Provincial Aboriginal Sport Body for British Columbia.
In 2008, Rick was the CEO for the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. He helped create the Legacy Plan for these games. This plan included ideas for staffing, marketing, fundraising, and sharing knowledge for future events.
