Representatives from 17 provincial sport organizations connected with local sport
chairs and toured Penticton facilities this weekend, in preparation for the 2016 BC Winter Games, the province’s largest multi-sport event.
The BC Winter Games showcase the province’s best young developing athletes, and attracts approximately 2,100 participants for the four-day event – including athletes, coaches and officials – from eight geographic zones in the province. The BC Winter Games provide a unique opportunity for athletes to experience provincial competition as a first step towards the national and international stage.
Provincial sport organization representatives were visiting Penticton facilities and meeting local organizers from the Host Society Board of Directors, City of Penticton and School District 67 as the groups collaborate ahead of the 2016 Games.
“It was a very impressive host community sport meeting,” said Cindy Simpson, provincial sport representative for Badminton BC and long time sport volunteer leader in a press release. “It was positive to see Bo Boxall as the director of sport focusing on the inclusion of all the various planning areas in these multi-sport Games.”
Competition will take place over four days in 17 sports: archery, badminton, basketball-Special Olympics, basketball-Wheelchair, biathlon, curling, diving, figure skating, gymnastics, judo, karate, netball, rhythmic gymnastics, ringette, skiing-alpine, skiing-cross country, skiing-freestyle and speed skating.
“It was nice to see the local sports chairs and the provincial organization representatives get together this past weekend,” states Doug MacMillan, vice-president of the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games. “It’s always nice to know who you are working with this early to make the Games a success for all the young athletes and volunteers alike as we are less than 10 months away from the Games.”
This will be the fourth time Penticton has hosted the BC Games. The city was the host of the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978, the 1990 BC Winter Games and the 1995 BC Summer Games.
Athletes who are interested in competing at the BC Winter Games should visit the BC Games website to find out the age group in their sport and contact their respective provincial sport organization to find out more about athlete eligibility and the zone qualification process.
Penticton has first-class sport facilities and a wealth of volunteer experience – including hosting the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978. The Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games will prove to be a memorable event for BC’s best developing athletes, coaches, and officials from February 25 to 28, 2016.
For more: www.bcgames.org.