The BC Games Society is pleased to announce that Rob Needham has been appointed as the Chef de Mission and Michelle Collens as the Assistant Chef de Mission for Team BC as preparations begin towards the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Coralee Oakes, was visiting Prince George today as part of Sports Day in Canada and was able to share this announcement.
“We are lucky to have two people so committed to our athletes as Rob Needham and Michelle Collens,” said Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes. “Rob and Michelle did a fantastic job with Team BC at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke and I know that the 2015 Team BC will be in good hands. Congratulations Rob, Michelle and Team BC!”
Rob Needham is an experienced leader in the Canadian sport system with extensive experience in Paralympic sport, most recently serving as the Executive Director, Sport, for the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). During his career with the CPC, he has led preparations for six consecutive Paralympic Games (2002-2012), including as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission at the 2007 and 2011 Parapan American Games. Needham was the Chef de Mission for Team BC at the 2013 Canada Summer Games and was also a member of Team BC Mission Staff at the Whitehorse 2007 Canada Winter Games.
As Chef de Mission, Needham is responsible for providing leadership to the team, overseeing team administration, logistical support, performance preparation and competition for athletes and coaches, and training and supervision of mission staff.
"It's a tremendous honour to be selected as Chef de Mission for Team BC for the 2015 Games. It's a unique opportunity to host a "home" Games, and I can't wait for the chance to once again work to ensure Team BC provides optimal support to the athletes and coaches, and that all team members enjoy a once in a lifetime experience in Prince George."
Michelle Collens is the Business Development Manager, Sports Events at the BC Pavilion Corporation. Formerly the BC Sport Tourism Manager for 2010 LegaciesNow, Collens operated the Sport Concierge program for all National Olympic and Paralympic Committees for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. She is a former Canada Games volleyball athlete who served with the Team BC Mission Staff for four consecutive cycles (2006-2013) including as Assistant Chef for the 2013 Canada Summer Games.
“I am motivated and excited to contribute to the Team BC program for the 2015 Canada Games. I look forward to working with Rob and the leadership team of the BC Games Society to deliver the best support to our coaches and athletes as we prepare to compete on a home stage."
The BC Games Society assumed responsibility for the Team BC program from the Sport Branch of the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development following the 2013 Canada Summer Games. Joining the Team BC leadership team for the 2015 Canada Winter Games will be BC Games staff members Jarret Poitras, Operations Manager, and Lia Threlfall, Communications Manager.
“‘As a recognized leader in multi-sport event management in Canada, we look forward to sharing that expertise with the Team BC program,” said BC Games Society President and CEO, Kelly Mann. “Many opportunities exist to leverage the history and success of Team BC as we ready ourselves for Prince George 2015.”
About Team BC
Every four years the Province of British Columbia assembles a team of athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff to represent the province at Canada's premiere multi-sport events - the Canada Winter Games, the Canada Summer Games and the Western Canada Summer Games. Representing the best in BC, they are known as Team BC. The Team BC program is more than British Columbia's best; it is also about building excellence. For some athletes, the Canada Games are a goal along the way to what they hope will be success in sport at major multi-sport Games including Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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 2015 Canada Winter Games will be held February 13 to March 1 in Prince George, bringing together approximately 3,300 athletes, coaches, and managers from every province and territory to compete in 19 sports.
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Contact:
Lia Threlfall
Communications Manager
BC Games Society
Office: 250-387-4688
Cell: 250-812-3887