Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
January 14, 2015

Supporting Athletes in the Pursuit of Excellence

Samantha Marsh Named Flag Bearer for 2015 Canada Winter Games

Target shooter Samantha Marsh has been named Team Newfoundland and Labrador�s flag bearer for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, taking place February 13 to March 1 in Prince George, British Columbia. The announcement was made at an athletes� rally held Tuesday evening, January 13, at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) in St. John�s.

�I congratulate Samantha on being selected Team Newfoundland and Labrador�s flag bearer. Earning a spot to compete in the country�s most prestigious amateur sport competition takes a tremendous amount of dedication and effort � and to be named flag bearer is a particular honour. I have no doubt Samantha and her fellow athletes will represent Team Newfoundland and Labrador and the province with pride and sportsmanship. I wish the entire team every success.�
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Ms. Marsh�s biographical information is provided in the backgrounder below.

�The Provincial Government is committed to the long-term development of our athletes. We continue to provide support to our athletes through our Canada Games program, and through the Athletic Excellence Fund. In fact, in the past six years, support for sport development has increased steadily from $2.5 million to more than $3.5 million. I wish Samantha and all the athletes the best of luck at the games.�
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

More than 220 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff will represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. The Provincial Government has invested about $580,000 to enable Team Newfoundland and Labrador to participate.

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. The Canada Summer Games will return to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2021.

For more information about Team Newfoundland and Labrador and the 2015 Canada Winter Games, visit: www.teamnl.ca

QUICK FACTS

• Target shooter Samantha Marsh has been named Team Newfoundland and Labrador�s flag bearer for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
• The 2015 Canada Winter Games take place February 13 to March 1 in Prince George, British Columbia.
• More than 220 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff will participate in these games for Newfoundland and Labrador.
• For more information about Team Newfoundland and Labrador and the 2015 Canada Winter Games, visit: www.teamnl.ca.

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BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information � Samantha Marsh

Samantha Marsh of Mount Pearl has been a core member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Shooting Association Junior Team since 2008. This will be her second appearance at a Canada Games. At the 2011 Canada Winter Games, she finished sixth in the individual 10-metre rifle event.

Since 2011, she has competed at the Canadian National Small Bore Championships. She placed fifth overall in both air rifle and three position at the 2014 event.

In 2012, she was named to the Canadian National Junior and Senior Development Team in air rifle, 50-metre rifle. This earned her the opportunity to participate in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in 2013, where she placed sixth after the finals in the women�s 50-metre 3X20 category and to represent Canada at the first ISSF Junior Cup in Suhl, Germany, in 2014.

Also in 2013 and 2014, she competed in various major United States competitions including the Champion of Champions, the United States Nationals, and most recently the Winter Air Gun Championship, where she set a personal best in a qualifying relay.

Ms. Marsh specializes in 10-metre air rifle and 50-metre three position rifle. Over the years, she has either won or medaled at the 4 North Atlantic Air Gun Challenges in which she competed.

Under the guidance of her current coach Dave Woolridge, Ms. Marsh holds the provincial record in women�s air rifle with a score of 404.3 out of a possible 436.0.

Ms. Marsh is a recipient of the Premier�s Athletic Awards, receiving awards each year from 2010 to 2013, as well as an Elite Athlete Award in 2014.

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