Team BC – Team BC and Team Ontario are joining forces to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg. Leading up to the 2017 Canada Summer Games, Team BC and Team Ontario will collect donations of new or gently used running shoes to help give more children the opportunity to participate in physical activity or sport through the Boys and Girls Clubs programs.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg is one of the city’s leading youth-serving agencies, operating across the city for 40 years. The organization operates 11 community-based clubs and numerous youth development programs offering a safe alternative to the streets during the evening and after-school hours.

The agency shares common values with Team BC and Team Ontario and focuses on the well-being of children and youth by teaching them the importance of healthy living, personal growth, and social development.

Together, Team BC and Team Ontario will bring close to 900 athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff to the 2017 Canada Summer Games. While competition will be fierce on the field of play between these two powerhouse provinces, the spirit of teamwork and fair play will be very evident through this project.

Team BC and Team Ontario have initiated legacy projects focused on social responsibility at many past Canada Games. This is the first time the two teams have joined forces to make a more significant impact and recognize the tremendous contribution that every host community makes to plan and stage the Games.

Quotes:

Michelle Schmidt, Director of Programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg
“We are thrilled to have been selected as a charity partner for this year’s Canada Summer Games legacy project. The running shoes that will be collected through this campaign will give our children and youth the most basic piece of equipment that is needed to participate in sports and physical activity.”

Rob Needham, Chef de Mission, Team BC
“Our athletes, coaches, and mission staff know first-hand the tremendous value of sport and physical activity. To be able to help provide that opportunity to youth in Winnipeg is a very worthwhile endeavour and we are proud to be able to lend our support along with Team Ontario.”

Jennifer Bennett, Chef de Mission, Team Ontario
“Team Ontario is committed to once again leave a lasting legacy in the host community as an important way to say thank you and demonstrate our shared values of Performance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence. We are thrilled to partner with Team BC on this exciting initiative in support of the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs. This partnership will strengthen the impact that we are making in the host community and will teach our athletes that although we are competitors on the field of play, we are united with BC in supporting the community in Winnipeg.”

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg
Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg has grown to become one of the city’s leading youth-serving agencies, operating in areas across the city that need their services the most for 40 years. They run 11 community-based Clubs and numerous youth development programs to their members, offering a safe alternative to the streets during the evening and after-school hours. All of their activities are free of charge and are guided by professional staff and dedicated volunteers who serve children and youth ages 6-18.

About Team BC
Team BC will bring together a delegation of 450 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg. Team BC athletes are the best young developing talent in this province and are our future national and international champions. For more information visit www.teambc.org.

About Team Ontario
Team Ontario comes together as a group of 450 athletes, coaches, managers, chaperones, technicians and mission staff from across the province to compete at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg. The team will be represented in all sports competing in the Games. The Canada Games are an important component of our sport system, and a key event in the development of Ontario’s young athletes. The Canada Games provide athletes with an opportunity to compete in a multi-sport atmosphere and prepare them as the next generation of international competitors. Follow Team Ontario on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @GoTeamOntario.

About the Canada Games
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer. The 2017 Canada Summer Games will be held July 28 to August 13 in Winnipeg, bringing together approximately 4000 athletes, coaches, and managers from every province and territory to compete in 16 sports. The Canada Games will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2017 coinciding with Canada’s 150th birthday. Visit www.canadagames.ca. 

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Media Contacts:
Lia Threlfall
Communications Manager, Team BC
250-812-3887
liat@bcgames.org  

Marlene Stirrett-Matson
Communications Manager, Team Ontario
marlene.stirrett@rogers.com  

Beth Creed
Assistant Director of Community Engagement
Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg
creed@wbgc.mb.ca