The 2015 Western Canada Summer Games came to a close in Wood Buffalo, Alberta with a wonderful celebration on Sunday.
After 10 days of celebration, athletic accomplishments, and team spirit the Team BC athletes, coaches, mangers and mission staff have returned to their home communities to share their successes and experiences.
“On behalf of Premier Christy Clark and the Government of British Columbia, I want to thank all of the athletes, coaches and staff who worked so tirelessly and represented our Province with so much pride,” said Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community Sport and Cultural Development. “It is an honour to see so many of you bringing home medals from the Western Canada Summer Games and I look forward to what you can all accomplish in the future for this Province and this country.”
334 athletes showcased their commitment to sport through 280 podium performances including 134 gold, 85 silver, 61 bronze. Team BC topped the medal count ahead of Alberta and Manitoba. The 2015 medal count is an increase from the 255 medals won at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games.
BC Games alumni represented 44% of Team BC and 147 alumni won or contributed to Team BC's 280 medals at the Western Canada Summer Games.
Highlights from phase two included five BC Games alumni contributing to Badminton’s team gold. Team leader James Ho (Surrey) competed at the 2012 BC Summer Games and was also part of Team BC at the 2015 Canada Winter Games this past February.
In golf, Tiffany Kong (Vancouver) won silver in the individual event and combined with her teammates including Shirin Anjarwalla (Nanaimo) for gold in the women’s team event. Both Kong and Anjarwalla competed at the 2014 BC Summer Games.
In baseball, the team won gold with the contributions of 15 BC Games alumni, the majority who competed at the 2014 BC Summer Games, including winning pitcher Fynn Chester of Victoria.
Half of the softball team who won gold were BC Games alumni including starting pitcher Katie Humhej (Surrey) who competed at the 2012 BC Summer Games in her hometown.
In the pool, Kelowna’s Josh Zakala (2010 BC Summer Games) won 10 medals including 3 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze in individual competition. Ian Ralston (Campbell River) and Aidan McDonough (Delta) combined for 11 individual medals in para events. Both competed at the 2014 BC Summer Games.
Rower James Houston (Richmond) won gold in the men's 8 and four and Ryan Watt (Vancouver) won gold in the men's 8 and the quad. Both competed last summer at the 2014 BC Summer Games.
Team BC Triathlon was a force in the relay events taking gold in the men’s, silver in the women’s and gold in the mixed. BC Games alumni include Hannah Henry (2014), Holly Henry (2012), Desirae Ridenour (2014), Brodie Marshall (2012), and Michael Milic (2012).
Team BC was awarded the Western Canada Summer Games trophy at the Closing Ceremony of the Games. This trophy is awarded to the team with the highest aggregate points, and Team BC has won the trophy at every Games since the inception of the Western Canada Summer Games in 1975.
“I am incredibly proud of our entire team,” said Diane St-Denis, Team BC Chef de Mission. The athletes, coaches and managers showed tremendous pride and spirit both on and off the field of play and represented our province to the very best of their ability. The venues were top notch, the volunteers passionate about their community, and the memories will last a lifetime.”
Watch for more BC Games alumni in action when Team BC competes next at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.