Gymnast Michael Drover has been named Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, taking place February 15 to March 3 in Red Deer, Alberta. Mr. Drover will be competing at the Canada Games for the second time, having been a member of the 2015 Canada Games team. His biography is included in the backgrounder below.
Nearly 250 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff will represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2019 Canada Winter Games. The Provincial Government has invested approximately $500,000 over the last four years to prepare and support athletes from this province to participate in the games.
The first Canada Winter Games were held in 1967 in Quebec City 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 2025.
Quotes
“Congratulations to Michael on being chosen to carry our provincial flag on behalf of Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2019 Canada Winter Games. He and all members of Team Newfoundland and Labrador have worked hard to achieve the honour of representing our province and I know they will all make us proud in Red Deer. I look forward to following our athletes during the games and wish them all the greatest success in their quest for excellence.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Competing in the Canada Games is an opportunity that our Team Newfoundland and Labrador athletes won’t soon forget. Throughout their pursuit of athletic excellence, they are also building character, developing leadership skills and learning valuable life lessons in teamwork, goal setting and dealing with wins and losses. That is why the Provincial Government is committed to supporting recreation, sport and physical activity, including supporting our athletes through the Athletic Excellence Fund and our Canada Games Program. Congratulations Michael! I wish you and all Team Newfoundland and Labrador athletes the very best as you compete in Red Deer.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
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Media contacts
Jason Card
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
JasonCard@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
GinaMacArthur@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biography of Michael Drover, 2019 Canada Winter Games Flag Bearer
Michael Drover, from St. John’s, is an artistic gymnastics athlete who will be competing at the Canada Games for the second time, having been a member of the 2015 Canada Games team.
In 2016, Michael achieved a second-place finish on parallel bars at the Eastern Canadian Gymnastics Championship.
In 2017, he was the Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador provincial champion and was named male gymnast of the year. He followed those achievements with a fourth place finish in pommel horse at the 2018 Gymnastics Canada National Championships.
Michael is currently enrolled in Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he is completing a Bachelor’s degree in science.