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Local athletes make CIBC Team Next

Four local athletes - three from Surrey and one from Delta - were chosen to be part of CIBC's Team Next.

That means Delta's Danielle Kisser (swimming), Surrey's Isabella Bertold (sailing), Christabel Nettey (athletics) and Sukhi Panesar (field hockey) get muchneeded money and other support to pursue their respective sports.

Each of the 67 athletes chosen for Team Next get $5,000 a year for three years, a mentor as well as financial and career planning and other benefits.

Like many serious amateur athletes, Bertold has to travel internationally for competitions, and the costs add up quickly. Having $15,000 in grant money is "significant," she said.

"Sailing is a really expensive sport," she added, although she is also sponsored by Instafund Financial and Sport Canada.

Aside from the money, she said she was really excited about being paired with Olympic medalist Simon Whitfield.

Nettey, a long jumper who is currently training in Phoenix, Arizona, agreed that the money is "a blessing" and the mentorship aspect is really helpful in preparing for big meets, and hopefully also the Olympics.

Panesar, who, like Bertold, is juggling university studies with his sports, said he too appreciated having financial support to get to international meets - most of which are in Asia or South America.

"The financial support is huge," he said.

ccooke@thenownewspaper.com