Summer Sports Getting Ready for Abbotsford
Author: BC Games Society/Wednesday, May 11, 2016/Categories: 2016 BC Summer Games, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Canoe/Kayak, Equestrian, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Towed Water Sports, Triathlon, Volleyball, Wrestling
Qualifications and registration is taking place around the province for athletes to represent their zone at the 2016 BC Summer Games in Abbotsford. And coaches are getting ready too - many sports have named their coaches for the Games, like Wade Loukes who is the head coach for the Cariboo-North East (Zone 8) girls basketball team.
Loukes, who is a past board member of the BC Games Society says, “Our U14 girls basketball team is really excited to have the opportunity to participate in the BC Summer Games this year. My oldest daughter was able to participate in soccer at the 2014 BC Summer Games in Nanaimo and the stories she brought back of her experience were a mix of the great soccer competition she got to play, as well as the team bonding, and opportunities to meet other athletes from around the province. As we prepare our girls for the upcoming Games, we will talk about the entire Games experience and how we can be prepared mentally and physically to play at 100% during competition and yet to be equally committed to experience the social activities and to represent your zone proudly."
The host society is getting ready too! The key volunteers (over 125) in Abbotsford, many who have been working for over a year, are getting venue and logistic details in place. A great of preparation is underway to ensure the sport venues are ready for the level of competition at the Games.
The time is now as up to 3693 of BC's best emerging high performance athletes, coaches and officials will converge in Abbotsford for the 2016 BC Summer Games to compete in 18 different sports at venue throughout the city.
The area around Abbotsford Exhibition Park will be a hub of activity with athletics, equestrian, rugby, and softball. The nearby and newly opened MRC Sport Complex will host soccer competition which has changed to a U15 division for these Games.
The BC Summer Games are a first step for young athletes as they progress through the sport development pathway. This first multi-sport experience can lead to future success on provincial teams, on Team BC at the Canada Games or perhaps one day on a national team a the Olympic or Paralympic Games. This summer, many BC Games alumni will compete for Team Canada at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. Watch for Nikola Girke (Sailing), Richard Weinberger (Swimming) and Bo Hedges (Wheelchair Basketball).
Fast Facts:
• This is the 30th BC Summer Games and the second time the City of Abbotsford has hosted the BC Summer Games.
• Up to 3693 participants including 2786 athletes, 535 coaches, 372 officials
• 18 sports including three sports for athletes with a disability
• Participants represent one of eight geographic zones in the province
• Able-body athletes range in age from 10-18 years old depending on the sport
• 3000 community volunteers plan and stage the Games with support from the BC Games Society
• 45 BC Games alumni competed for Team Canada at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games.