Fiona Rettie, an athlete from the Winnipeg Rowing Club (WRC), was recently selected as recipient of the Peter Nykoluk Rowing Scholarship. Fiona, a student at the University of Winnipeg in the Kinesiology program, received a financial contribution of $6000 towards her education.

The Peter Nykoluk Rowing Scholarship was established in cooperation with the Manitoba Rowing Association, the Winnipeg Rowing Club (WRC), and the University of Manitoba Financial Aid and Awards. The Nomination Committee was led by Chairperson Jeff Powell, former Olympian and World Champion rower, and currently the General Manager of the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba.

The Peter Nykoluk Rowing Scholarship has been handed out annually since 1995. Each recipient has distinguished themselves with notable accomplishments in and dedication to rowing. They have also met the other essential criteria in terms of educational aspirations, sound personal traits, contributions to the development of the sport, and leadership qualities.

ABOUT FIONA RETTIE

Fiona Rettie is a Kinesiology student at the University of Winnipeg. She began rowing five years ago, and displays an ongoing passion for and commitment to the sport. She not only excels as an athlete herself, but also coaches others who are new at the sport.

Some of Fiona’s most notable competitions include the Royal Canadian Henley in 2014, Canada Games in 2013, and Western Canada Games in 2011. She coached at the Winnipeg Rowing Club in 2013 and 2014 in the youth summer camps program, and for adult learn-to-row sessions. Fiona is a dedicated volunteer at the club who regularly helps with special initiatives and projects.

In 2014, Fiona was recognized by the Royal Lifesaving Society and presented with an award (along with two other club members) for helping save the life of a young woman who was distressed in the Red River.

THE PETER NYKOLUK ROWING SCHOLARSHIP

The Peter Nykoluk Rowing Scholarship was started in 1995 to recognize individuals whose outstanding contributions to and achievements in the sport of rowing parallel the values of Peter Nykoluk.

Peter was a competitive rower who proudly represented the Winnipeg Rowing Club at regattas, and supported his club and colleagues in many ways. Peter died in 1990 as he came to the rescue of his teammates who were involved in an accident that occurred when the University of Manitoba crew was travelling to a regatta in Minneapolis.

Peter was a unique individual whose enthusiasm for life was evident in everything that he undertook. He had an endless capacity for learning, and the dedication, perseverance and optimism he consistently displayed were contagious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A rowing scholarship in Peter’s memory was established to recognize individuals whose outstanding contribution to and/or achievements in the sport of rowing closely parallel the values of determination, commitment and sportsmanship consistently displayed by Peter. The award has been administered annually since 1995, to financially assist athletes to pursue their education while participating in the sport of rowing. It was initiated by Peter’s father, Jim Nykoluk, to honour Peter’s memory, while ensuring the future of the sport that Peter loved.

In addition to the scholarship, Peter’s memory lives on in Peter’s Garden, which comes to life each summer on the grounds at the Winnipeg Rowing Club on Lyndale Drive. As well, the Nykoluk Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the fastest women’s senior pair at the NorthWest International Rowing Association (NWIRA) Championship Regatta.