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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
January 19, 2011

Minister to Attend Canada Games Athletes’ Rally

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will announce Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s flagbearer for the 2011 Canada Winter Games at an athletes’ rally this evening (Wednesday, January 19), at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) on Crosbie Road in St. John’s. The event begins at 6:00 p.m.

More than 200 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff will represent Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the Games, which are being held February 11-27 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“This is an opportunity to generate some excitement as we prepare to compete in Halifax, but also a chance to acknowledge the deep level of commitment shown by athletes, coaches, managers, volunteers and parents, who have worked so hard in preparation for this event,” said Minister French.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future provided $350,000 in additional support to the Newfoundland and Labrador Games and Canada Games programs, the primary gateways to the development of exceptional athletes in this province.

Since the release of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador, support for athlete development has increased steadily from $2.5 million to more than $3.5 million. This includes grants to provincial sports organizations, increased funding for coaching and long-term athlete development initiatives, the Newfoundland and Labrador Games Program, the Canada Games program, and the Premier’s Athletic Awards.

The Canada Games were established in 1967 and Newfoundland and Labrador has been represented at every event since. The games are held every two years, alternating summer and winter. The province hosted the 1977 Canada Summer Games in St. John's and the 1999 Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook.

For more information about Team Newfoundland and Labrador and the 2011 Canada Winter Games, visit: www.teamnl.ca/ 

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 

2011 01 19                                                      10:05 a.m.

 
 
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