Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 10, 2011
Team Newfoundland and Labrador Off to 2011 Canada Games
A contingent of more than 200 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff departs today to compete at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, taking place February 11-27 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, who will attend the games’ opening ceremonies on Friday, February 11, wishes the athletes the best of luck as they compete in this highly-anticipated sporting event.
“These athletes have proven their athletic abilities by earning a spot on this team,” said Minister French. “The games’ experience is about more than competing; it’s about meeting new people, making good friends and creating lasting memories. I commend all the athletes for their hard work and preparation and wish them all the best as they compete in this exciting athletic competition. I would also like to thank the team’s volunteer coaches and managers for their support and for dedicating their time to help these young men and women become the athletes they are today.”
Team Newfoundland and Labrador (Team NL) will be represented by 15 teams, participating in 13 sports. During week one, Team NL athletes will compete in artistic gymnastics, curling (female), hockey (male), target shooting and short-track speed skating. In the second week, competition will be in alpine skiing, badminton, boxing, cross-country skiing, curling (male), figure skating, hockey (female), judo, synchro swimming, and table tennis.
In addition, provincial artists, Luke Lawrence (actor), Meagan Musseau
(visual artist), and Danielle O’Connor (creative writer) will attend the
games as participants of the National Artists Program (NAP). Held in
conjunction with the games, NAP brings together young artists throughout the
country for a two-week mentorship in various cultural genres such as
theatre, music, visual, and literary arts.
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.
For the latest information, updates and results for Team NL during the 2011
Canada Winter Games, visit: www.teamnl.ca/
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Media contact:
Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
DianaQuinton@gov.nl.ca
2011 02 10 2:00 p.m.