WINNIPEG -- Reigning Canadian curling champion Rachel Homan got two bits of good news on Thursday. The Ottawa skip advanced to Fridays semifinal at the Canadian Olympic curling trials, and then she learned the federal government had approved funding of more than $2.5 million for the Canadian Curling Association in 2013-14. "Its hard to make it as an amateur athlete because theres not much money involved and its not like the pros," said the 24-year-old. "A lot of times we have to take off work to try and fully train and commit to making it to the Olympics and trying to get Canada gold, so its nice to have that support in being able to try to get to your dreams and achieve that podium status." CCA chief executive officer Greg Stremlaw said the governments investment through Sport Canada is similar to the previous years funding. "It not only enables the Canadian Curling Association to grow the sport at the grassroots level, but helps our nation establish and maintain consistent podium results and the excellence that is synonymous with Canadian curling," Stremlaw said. "We sincerely appreciate all that the government of Canada does for sport." Stremlaw said the money is used for programs involving able-bodied athletes and those with a disability. Funds are allocated for coaching and salaries, national team programs and coaching and officials development. An Athlete Assistance program funded by the government gave $633,000 to 67 carded curlers in 2012-13 to help with their living and training expenses. The amount will be similar in 2013-14, Stremlaw said. Homan and her teammates are carded athletes. The winner of the trials earns a trip to next years Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Air Max 2015 Noir Et Blanche. 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Nike Air Max Zero Noir. - The Detroit Tigers will start the season without Jose Iglesias, though just how long the injured shortstop is sidelined will not be known until after he sees a foot and ankle specialist on Tuesday. Nike Air Max 2016 Release Date. Numerous reports say the 2007 World Cup-winning lock, who has played 110 tests for South Africa, will end his two-year retirement to again represent the Pretoria-based Bulls in Super Rugby from next month.TORONTO, Ontario - The Leafs wont restart their schedule until Thursday against the New York Islanders but for Randy Carlyle, the Olympic break is now nothing but a distant memory. As far as hes concerned, its time to get back to business. "We were playing at a pretty high level and now were expecting to take the next step," said the Leafs head coach after the teams annual outdoor practice on Friday at Greenwood Park in front of several hundred fans. "Were going to have to play to a higher level to have success here in the last 22 games." That message of aspiring to a higher level of play is one that Carlyle has continually preached throughout the season, whether the team was going through a rough stretch as they did in mid-December and early January or experiencing success as they did heading into the Olympic break. Posting an 11-2-1 record in the fourteen games that preceded the break built the Leafs a seven-point cushion on the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot but with the Jackets holding two games in hand and the Senators and Capitals each holding one, that gap could shrink quickly if they trip up out of the gate. "It was a time to recharge the batteries but for us its about now getting our team ready for Thursday," said Carlyle. "Thats the most important thing on our plate is to make sure our hockey club picks up where it left off." Given how well the team played heading into the break, that wont be an easy task for several reasons. Firstly, a 14-game stretch that saw them win 11 times (78 per cent of their games) is likely an unsustainable pace. Seventeen wins in their final 22 games is a lot to ask. TThe key will be to make sure they dont experience too significant a drop off.dddddddddddd Secondly, the schedule wont be a cake walk. The Leafs will play 22 games in 45 nights, 13 of them on the road. 14 of those games will be against teams currently in playoff positions. The real test will come on a five-game road trip March 10-18 when they head out west to face the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings before making stops in Washington and Detroit. Additionally, Toronto will face four more sets of games on back-to-back nights. Safe to say, the time for rest has come and gone. "The Olympic break for us, we feel good coming back," said Dion Phaneuf. "We feel rested, we feel rejuvenated and I think its beneficial for everyone to have that." The positive aspect of the break is that with David Bolland nearing a return and so long as James Van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel get through the bronze medal game at the Olympics injury-free, the Leafs should be able to ice their optimal lineup for the first time this season. Believe it or not, due to suspensions and injuries, Bolland, Tyler Bozak, David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul have yet to all be dressed in the same game. Forwardsvan Riemsdyk - Bozak - KesselLupul - Kadri - ClarksonRaymond - Bolland - KuleminAshton - McClement - BodieExtras: McLaren, Orr DefenceGunnarsson - PhaneufGardiner - FransonGleason - RiellyExtra: Ranger Goaltenders: Bernier and Reimer "I expect the hockey down the stretch to be very good," predicted Phaneuf. "The pace is going to increase like it always does going down the stretch run but I think the break really helps us as players." China Jerseys? 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