December 3, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Brookfield Dairy Group becomes Corporate Sponsor for 1997 Canada Summer Games

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, at a news conference today, announced that the Brookfield Dairy Group will become the official sponsor of the Newfoundland and Labrador team participating in the 1997 Canada Summer Games.

"In the past several years, the Canada Games have experienced a relaxing of the rules and regulations for uniforms," Ms. Kelly said. "This has enabled provinces and territories to solicit corporate sponsors to assist with the overall development of the Games' program. This is the second time that the Brookfield Dairy Group has come on board as a corporate sponsor for the Newfoundland and Labrador team. Brookfield is certainly a tremendous corporate citizen and a patron of athletic achievement within this province."

The sponsorship agreement was reached between the Brookfield Dairy Group and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Gerry Smith, vice president and general manager of the Brookfield Dairy Group said: "This is indicative of Brookfield's overall commitment to sport, fitness and the pursuit of excellence. Brookfield is truly a province- wide company so it is fitting that, as official sponsor of the 1997 Canada Summer Games, we are able to offer support to athletes from all over Newfoundland and Labrador." On the invitation of Minister Kelly, Mr. Smith unveiled Newfoundland and Labrador's team logo for the upcoming Summer Games.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be represented in all put two sports, namely canoeing and field hockey. The province will be represented in the following sports: basketball, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, water skiing, wrestling, archery, athletics, baseball, cycling, diving, rowing, and volleyball. The entire Newfoundland and Labrador contingent will consist of approximately 400 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff. The Games are divided into two, one-week intervals and will be held in Brandon Manitoba from August 8 to August 23, 1997. In 1999, Corner Brook will be host to the Canada Winter Games. The last time the games were held in Newfoundland was in 1977.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Communications Director, (709) 729-0928 fax: (709) 729-0870.

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BACKGROUNDER

1997 CANADA SUMMER GAMES MISSION STAFF Tom Godden

Sport and Recreation Consultant with the Recreation and Sport Division. Attended the 1983 Games as a coach; attended the 1987, 1989, and 1991 Games as a Mission Staff member, and attended the 1993 and 1995 Canada Games as Assistant Chef de Mission.

Jim Tee

Acting supervisor with the Recreation and Sport Division. Former Mission Staff member for the 1985 Games and attended the 1993 and 1995 Canada Games as Chef de Mission.

Vic Janes

Director of Recreation and Sport Division. Management Committee member of the Corner Brook Host Society for 1999 Canada Games and attended the 1977, 1989, 1993, 1995 Games as Mission Staff member.

Alexander Fitzgerald

Manager of Provincial Hostel at Torbay Recreation Centre. Wealth of experience in organizing committees hosting national championships, in particular baseball and softball.

Jill Brewer

Manager - St. John's Memorial Stadium. Former Games diving coach.

Jeff Babstock

Coach '93 Canada Games soccer team. Technical director of Nfld. Soccer Association

Gary Perry

Responsible for Mission Staff Services with 1999 Games Host Society.

Gary Oak

Coached '89, '91, and '95 Canada Games and is the curling sport chair for 1999 Games.

Myra Joseph

Associate Vice President of Volunteers with 1999 Games Host Society.

Kathy Murphy

Regional Recreation Consultant. Attended past Games as Mission Staff member and Coordinator of Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games.

Mac Blundon

Program Coordinator - Recreation and Sport Division. Attended the 1995 Games as Mission Staff member.

Doug Sweetapple

Coach 1993 Canada Summer Games. Very active with Nfld. soccer and is the officials chairperson for the 1999 Games.

Lisa Young

Manager with 1991 Canada Games Figure Skating Team. Sport Chair for Figure Skating for the 1999 Canada Games in Corner Brook.

Karen Murphy

Former Games athlete in the 1987 and 1989 and was a coach at the 1993 Games. She is presently the varsity volleyball coach for Memorial University of Newfoundland.