Paralympic Swimmers and National Team Members in Hay River and Yellowknife

Sept 7 to 9, 2006

• Newspaper Article - "Leading by Example"
• Newspaper Photo - Rhea, Donovan & Brett with school kids
• Newspaper Article - "Sport Celebrities Inspire Teens"
• Newspaper Photo - Dennis Hull / Ron MacLean & Donovan, Rhea and Brett
• Newspaper Article - "Sports Dinner a Champions Affair"
• Newspaper Article - "Nothing Like Don Cherry"
• Thank You Letter from Coach Craig McCord

The Hay River Lions Swim Club and the Yellowknife Polar Bear Swim Club (with assistance from Sport North and NWT Swimming), were pleased to host Paralympic and National Swim Team members Brett Hickenbotham, Rhea Schmidt and Donovan Tildesley and National Team Coach Craig McCord to Hay River and Yellowknife the week of September 7 - 10, 2006.

Brett, Donovan and Craig ran a special swim clinic for Hay River Lions Swim Club members on September 7. On September 8, all four met with Yellowknife, Polar Bear Swim Club members and their families to hear stories and be inspired by these athletes and Coach McCord.

Brett Hickenbotham Bio

Donovan Tildesley Bio

Rhea Schmidt Bio / Racing Picture

Rhea competed in the 2002 IPC World Championships in Argentina and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. Brett competed at the Australian Open Nationals, Pacific School Games, Canadian Western Nationals, and Can/Am World Trials. Donovan swam at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics where he won a bronze medal, the 2002 IPC World Championships in Argentina and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece where he won two silver and a bronze medal. Donovan also set two World Record in the 800 and 1500 freestyle.