The BC Games Society
Year in Review is a colourful look back at the highlights and accomplishments of the past year. In 2014, the City of Nanaimo played host to the BC Summer Games, July 17-20. Over 2946 community volunteers hosted 3142 athletes, coaches, and officials from across the province gathered for four days of exciting action.
The City of Nanaimo, along with partners School District #68 and Vancouver Island University, showcased their sport facilities and ensured athletes had a fantastic competitive opportunity. The corporate community contributed in excess of $900,000 and joined with community volunteers to show their pride and hospitality to ensure a quality experience for everyone.
Olympians Simon Whitfield and Dave Calder along with Paralympian and MLA Michelle Stilwell, shared with the athletes how the experience of the BC Games can be the start of an incredible journey in sport. They encouraged athletes to enjoy every moment and take inspiration and memories to carry them to the next goal. Whitfield offered advice to athletes fighting competition jitters, “Don’t try and get rid of those butterflies, just get them to fly in formation.”
"Volunteers are the backbone of any large-scale event and that is especially true of the BC Games. The Nanaimo Games would not have been possible without the incredible resource of volunteers."
Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
"I wanted to say how impressed I was with the overall organization of everything at the Games. I was amazed at how efficiently everything ran – particularly given the numbers you are dealing with!"
Mary Murrell, Parent
"Never thought this would come true GOLD MEDAL in Softball! Beating Fraser Valley 7-6! #BCSummerGames"
Matt Van Eeuwen, Athlete
19 Provincial Sport Organization partners committed to ensure the 2014 BC Summer Games was a valuable opportunity for the development of their sport in the province. A true provincial event, 7 sports brought athletes from all 8 zones. In 13 sports, all head coaches achieved full certification and overall 80% of coaches were certified.
Nolan Badovinac of Port Alberni was chosen as the recipient of the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence at the 2014 BC Summer Games. He won two golds in wrestling and has his eyes set on pursuing his sport and education next year.
16 talentend athletes and outstanding community leaders were recognized with a Coast Capital Savings Athlete Bursary at the 2014 BC Summer Games. The bursary recipients were chosen from over 350 applicants for their significant achievements in sport and education and most importantly for their leadership contributions to their schools, community or sport associations.
The BC Games represent an opportunity for each hosting community to showcase itself to the province in terms of facilities and dedicated citizens. Each Games present unique challenges, many of which are readily overcome, thus giving the volunteers a new perspective from which to view new opportunities. The BC Games provide a spring board for competitive athletes and coaches to pursue higher levels of competition, creates new skills among volunteers, helping them become better employees and family members, and stimulates economic activity.
See the entire Year in Review publication here.