Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
July 20, 2015

Celebrating Athletic Excellence

Local Softballers Earn Gold at Pan Am Games

Seven local members of the Canadian Men's Softball team - five players and two assistant coaches - earned a gold medal on Saturday, July 18, after defeating Venezuela 2-1 in the final at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main hit a two-run homerun in the sixth inning to clinch the victory.

"Congratulations to our athletes and coaches on this remarkable achievement. It was thrilling to watch the team go undefeated throughout the week and then pull out the win in dramatic style. I offer my sincere congratulations to all the team members, their families, and those who have supported their pursuit of excellence throughout the years."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador members of the Canadian Men's Softball team are:

• Ryan Boland of Goulds
• Sean Cleary of Harbour Main
• Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main
• Jason Hill of St. John's
• Stephen Mullaley of Freshwater
• John Hill of St. John's (assistant coach), and
• Les Howey of Conception Bay South (assistant coach)

The Pan Am Games gold medal win follows the team's victory at the Men's Softball World Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, earlier this month.

"Our Newfoundland and Labrador softball athletes clearly rank among the best in the world. As a government, we have demonstrated our commitment to our athletes and their long-term development in sport through various components of the Athletic Excellence Fund, which has seen close to $1 million invested in the development of our top athletes and support for their participation in national and international competition. I congratulate the entire team for their success at the world championships and the Pan Am Games."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Two other Newfoundland and Labradorians participated, or are participating, in the Pan Am Games. Ben Taylor of St. John's finished 12^th in the 10-metre air rifle competition at the Pan Am Games last week. Carl English of Paradise will compete with the Canadian Men's Basketball Team, with the first game scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 21) against the Dominican Republic.

For more information on the Pan Am Games, visit: www.toronto2015.org/ .

QUICK FACTS:

• The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, today congratulated the Canadian Men's Softball team for winning softball gold on Saturday at the Pan Am Games Toronto.
• There are seven local members on the team - five players and two assistant coaches.
• The team defeated Venezuela 2-1 in the final to claim victory.
• For more information on the Pan Am Games, visit: www.toronto2015.org/ .

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2015 07 20                              12:00 p.m.