University of Toronto Varsity Blues rowing sensation Mike Braithwaite and head coach Rob Watering have been selected as one of 50 athlete-coach pairings to receive a grant from the Petro-Canada Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence (FACE) program.

Among his many accomplishments this season, the Duncan B.C. native was the 2009 OUA men’s single champion and was also named the oarsman of the year at the 2009 Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC) for his dominant gold-medal performance in the men’s open single.

The FACE program is designed for non-carded, developing Canadian athletes to provide extra support in order to help them meet Sport Canada’s carding criteria.

Watering, who just finished his third season as the Varsity Blues head coach, will also benefit from the program.

Petro-Canada chooses a total of 50 athlete-coach pairings (100 recipients in total) of which each athlete and coach receives $4000 to support their training and competition expenses.

Leading up to 2012, FACE will provide $400,000 per year to help developing athletes achieve national carded status and assist coaches to improve their technical skills and capabilities.

Fuelling the dreams of athletes and coaches together should allow the pair to work in tandem to share experiences and knowledge while striving for success on the field of play.

For more information on FACE, click here.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.