The BC Games Society announced the 19 sports that will be part of the Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games. Up to 2934 athletes, 590 coaches, and 403 officials will compete in Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Canoe/Kayak, Equestrian, Golf, Inline Hockey, Box Lacrosse, Field Lacrosse, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Synchronized Swimming, Swimming, Towed Water Sports, Triathlon, Volleyball (Beach and Indoor), and Wrestling. Athletes with a disability will compete in Athletics, Equestrian, and Swimming.
The BC Games provide a valuable multisport competition opportunity for young athletes and are the first step on the path to national and international success. At the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in London, 40 BC Games alumni were part of the Canadian team including medalists Brent Hayden (Swimming), Karina LeBlanc (Soccer), and Robert Hedges (Wheelchair Basketball).
“Attending the BC Games is a significant step in an athlete’s development,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The international success we have seen from B.C. athletes speaks volumes to the opportunities they have been given through the provincial sport system and the BC Games.”
The sports in the BC Summer Games are led by Provincial Sport Organizations who have demonstrated their commitment to athlete development, coaching certification, and officials’ education. Notable changes since the 2012 BC Summer Games include the adjustment in age categories for Softball from under-14 to under-16 and the move of Diving from the BC Summer Games to the BC Winter Games.
Basketball BC is expanding their involvement in the BC Summer Games with the inclusion of three on three (3 X 3) competitions for boys and girls. “The BC Summer Games represent a vital part of our athlete development plan,” said Ross Tomlinson, Technical Director for Basketball BC. “Adding the 3 X 3 component at the BC Games builds on the work being done by Canada Basketball to develop National 3 X 3 programming and the initiative being presented by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to have this exciting sport included in the Olympic Games.”
Link to information on the criteria for sport selection and the complete sport package for the 2014 BC Summer Games and the 2014 BC Winter Games.
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Contact:
Lia Threlfall, Communications Manager
BC Games Society
Phone: 250-387-4688
Email: liat@bcgames.org