The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Sportsmanship First program

The Newfoundland Labrador High School Athletic Federation is proud to announce the kick off of a new program of the federation geared towards sportsmanship. The Sportsmanship First program will promote the ideals of sportsmanship in high school sports, and how players, coaches and fans can contribute to increase the level of sportsmanship in their school.

President of the Newfoundland Labrador High School Athletic Federation Mike Sutton is enthusiastic about the direction the federation is taking. "Sportsmanship has been identified as the number one priority in high school sports. With this program, we hope to promote this idea to student athletes, coaches, fans and the general public to let them know that in high school sports, sportsmanship is as important as winning a championship banner. We are very pleased as well to have Crime Stoppers on board as a sponsor of this program. Together we can promote the ideals of sport in sports, in our schools and in our communities."

There are many facets of the program - the most visible of which will be banners and a poster series in all member schools. Other initiatives will recognize team and individual sportsmanship, reward sportsmanlike behaviour and promote the ideals of sportsmanship, reward sportsmanlike behaviour and promote the idea of sportsmanship through various media. The program will be officially launched at 11 schools throughout the province. The following are the dates and locations for the Sportsmanship First launch:

St. John�s Region -             O�Donel High, Mount Pearl            Wednesday, February 13, 1:30 p.m.
                                         Mike Sutton, (709) 364-5305

Trinity-Conception -            Roncalli High, Avondale                 Thursday, February 14, 10:30 a.m.
                                        Phil Griffiths (709) 229-4435

Avalon South -                   Laval High, Placentia                     Monday, February 11, 1:45 p.m.
                                        Dave Constantine (709) 227-2041

Avalon West -                    St. Marks High, Kings Cove           Wednesday, February 13, 11:00 a.m.
                                        Jill Russell, (709) 447-6211

Burin Peninsula -               St. Lawrence Academy                  Monday, February 11, 2:15 p.m.
                                        Kevin Pittman, (709) 873-2660

Central -                            Exploits Valley High, Grand Falls   Wednesday, February 13, 10:00 a.m.
                                        Bruce Andrews, (709) 489-4374

Central West -                   Elwood Regional High                    Friday, February 8, 1:30 p.m.
                                        Mike Ball, (709) 635-2895

Western -                          Appalachia High, Stephenville        Tuesday, February 12, 2:15 p.m.
                                        Jack Cooper, (709) 647-3381

St. Barbe-Labrador -           St. Augustines, Plum Point            Wednesday, February 13, 1:30 p.m.
                                        Anne Chambers, (709) 247-2008

Northern -                         Goose High School                        Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m.
                                        Darryl Feener, (709) 896-2431

Media contact: Karen Richard, (709) 729-2795.

2002 02 08                        1:10 p.m.