Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 2, 2011

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

Sport NL Announces First Annual Sportfest

See it, Play it, Get active! Sport Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the details of the first annual Sportfest, to be held from May 12-14, 2011. Designed to showcase the diversity of organized sport available to youth in the province, this three-day, fully-interactive festival is the first of its kind for Newfoundland and Labrador. It will allow participants to see demonstrations and actually sample over 30 different sports.

Sportfest plans were unveiled at the Powerplex in St. John's by Chris Schwartz, Sportfest co-chair, the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and Troy Croft, Executive Director, Sport NL. Also participating in the announcement were Doug Fowler, President of Sport NL, official Sportfest Ambassadors Jamie Korab, Rod Snow and Michelle Healey, and Grade 8 and 9 students from St. Paul’s Junior High.

“Sportfest presents an exciting opportunity for the youth of our province, and Sport NL is proud to be offering such an event. We expect over 5,000 youth will visit the three-day festival and get a first-hand look at the wide range of sports available here,” said Mr. Fowler. “Our goal is to encourage participation in all organized sport, while at the same time enabling youth to learn about, and benefit from, the many health benefits associated with physical activity.”

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, has provided $25,000 to support this initiative.

“The Provincial Government is pleased to support this innovative event, and to partner with Sport NL to provide children and youth with opportunities to both participate and learn about the importance of sport and physical activity,” said Minister French, who attended today’s announcement. “This is a great way to work collaboratively with our sport and recreation governing bodies to promote an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Three celebrated provincial athletes have been named as the official ambassadors for Sportfest: Jamie Korab, gold-medal winning curler; Rod Snow, professional rugby player; and Michelle Healey, former MUN varsity basketball player. The ambassadors demonstrated their respective sport to students from St. Paul’s Junior High School, who then got to throw a curling stone, form a rugby scrum, and try a three-point basketball shot.

The students also took part in the Capital One Rocks & Rings program, supported by the Newfoundland & Labrador Curling Association and Curl Atlantic. As well, Mark Nichols, Mr. Korab's former teammate and 2006 Olympic Gold medalist, was on hand to help run this demonstration.

“We are thrilled to have Jamie, Rod and Michelle as ambassadors for Sportfest,” said Mr. Schwartz. “Our province has produced world-class athletes, such as these individuals, who all got their start in our provincial sport organizations. It is great for young people to hear from these athletes and learn about what sport has brought to their lives. They are wonderful role models for provincial sport and Sportfest.”

Sportfest will run from May 12-14, at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (PowerPlex) in St. John’s, NL. More information on Sportfest is available at www.sportfestnl.ca. 

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is a volunteer organization committed to the promotion and advancement of amateur sport throughout the province. Sport NL represents 46 provincial sport organizations and over 70,000 individual members, while promoting the health benefits associated with physical activity and sport to the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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2011 02 02                                                       11:05 a.m.