Level Field Fund Gains Support From World Class Athletes

GrindTV Newswire, Via The Ross Powers Foundation: Portland, ME (Wednesday, June 16, 2010) - The Ross Powers Foundation today announced the establishment of the Level Field Fund, a grant-giving program that strives to bridge gaps in funding for uniquely talented athletes whose opportunity to pursue excellence in sport would otherwise be limited by their financial situation. Gold medalists from summer and winter sports including Michael Phelps, Daron Rahlves, Seth Wescott and Lenny Krayzelburg have pledged their support to the Level Field Fund, and founding partner, OrthoLite will donate $1 to the Level Field Fund for every pair of OrthoLite insoles sold through retail outlets.

While an athlete's success is clearly driven by their ability to perform at the highest level, it is also dependent upon financial support. Many athletes with the potential to compete at world-class levels have had to face the challenges of securing funding to cover expenses essential to their continued development. Far too often, resource gaps have proven to be impassible barriers for promising, yet financially challenged athletes.

"Talent, drive and determination are simply not enough for many young athletes; financial support at key stages of development is critical," said Ross Powers, president of the Ross Powers Foundation and founder of Level Field Fund. "OrthoLite's commitment to the Level Field Fund combined with the support of Michael (Phelps), Daron (Rahlves), Seth (Wescott) and Lenny (Krayzelburg) is a major step forward in our efforts to help reduce the financial pressures facing far too many talented athletes."

Individual commitment and costs during entry level stages of participation in a sport are relatively minimal. However, as athletes progress and their potential rises, so too do the related development demands and associated costs for training and competing - including more specialized instruction, equipment, event entry fees and travel. The Level Field Fund is designed to provide qualified funding to uniquely talented athletes at critical stages of their development.

"By combining our efforts with Level Field Fund we can help talented athletes across the country reach their performance potential," said Pamela Gelsomini, president of OrthoLite. "We are excited that our partnership will benefit so many promising individuals."

Since its formation in 2001, the Ross Powers Foundation has been providing critical funding to dozens of deserving athletes from across the United States competing in sports ranging from snowboarding to skateboarding, skiing to kayaking, and skeleton to taekwondo. Foundation grant recipients have further advanced their athletic pursuits and achieved success that otherwise would not have been possible in national and international competitions, including representing Team USA in the Olympic Games.

"Determined athletes committed to performing their best shouldn't be held back due to a financial short coming", said Rahlves, a three-time Olympian and World Champion. "I've seen lots of talent go undeveloped and that's where Level Field Fund can step in and help. I'm excited to be a part of the Level Field Fund and look forward to helping those in need get to the next level and enjoy success in competition."

"As competitive athletes, we all share the desire to compete against the best and to think that we are losing talented athletes because of a lack of financial resources is troubling," added Phelps, a 14-time Olympic gold medalist. "I am a big believer in following your dreams and it is an honor to be a part of the Level Field Fund, a group of athletes helping other athletes pursue their own dreams."

The need for athlete funding has been well documented and the story of Faye Gulini, the youngest member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team, is just one example.

"In order to chase my dream of representing my country at the Olympics, I had to transfer all of my focus, hard work, and money into my sport," recalled Gulini.

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 3:10pm PDT