On a chilly April 13 evening, hundreds gathered on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh for the Torchlighting Ceremony, marking the official countdown to the Games.

In keeping with the Games tagline Spirit Lives Here – Njan tsen ghuna, the Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games hosted an exciting community celebration with BC Games alumni front and centre – from planning the event, to serving as the Master of Ceremonies, and as performers and torch bearers.

Photo by James Doyle

Without volunteers, thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials miss out on development opportunities provided by participation in the Team BC program and the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. 

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of the thousands of volunteers who make the Games possible!

With the announcement of the postponement of the 2022 BC Winter Games to 2023 (March 23-26), the Board is regrouping and getting ready to move planning forward with new leaders at the helm. Moving from Director positions, Nicky Dunlop (left) and Cindy Masters (right) are the new President and Vice President of the Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games Society.

With the Games moving to a new date, it was inevitable that some key volunteers would not be able to continue on. Gratitude and appreciation goes to those who are stepping away. Their commitment and effort they put into planning has not gone unnoticed. They leave the Games in good hands with Nicky and Cindy and the other Directors (those staying as well as those new to the Board). 

Built and designed by a student-led group at Camosun College and Namgis First Nation artist Jamin Zuroski, the torch will be used for the first time at the upcoming Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games and Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games!

Minister Melanie Mark, Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport was in attendance for the unveiling - a celebration of the coming together of sport, education, technology, and art!

Samantha brings a varied background melding her passions and knowledge gained while earning degrees in both Psychology and Linguistics from the University of Victoria to the role of Games Operations Coordinator.
Samantha has spent many years volunteering for adult and youth sport organizations. She has been involved in the club management for Castaways FC through her role as vice president, organizing players, uniforms and fundraisers. Samantha has also been involved in the baseball community through the Gordon Head Baseball association where she piloted a Challenger Baseball program for children with special needs. In partnership with the Jays Cares Foundation, Samantha led the remodel of a community baseball diamond to make it accessible for all youth.

Samantha attended the Kimberly-Cranbrook 2008 BC Winter Games as a participant in the Olympic Youth Leadership Academy. She experienced first hand the energetic atmosphere, community spirit, and athlete development opportunities the Games deliver and is excited to contribute to the success of future Games.  

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing competitive soccer and spending time outdoors with friends and family. Growing up in Victoria, Samantha was involved in many sports and is passionate about giving back to her community.

Welcome, Sam!

This past Thursday, April 28 marked 100 days to the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Celebrations held by the host society in Niagara were highlighted by the grand opening of Canada Games Park and the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre, a state-of-the art athletics facility and competition venue, and the unveiling of the Games medals.

Here on the west coast, Team BC continues to ramp up its preparations. The leadership team, comprised of Jennifer Scott, Chef de Mission, Danielle Williams, Assistant Chef de Mission, and Jarret Poitras, Operations Manager, will be travelling to Niagara for a final site visit and conference, gathering important updates for Games planning.

The broader Mission Staff team will also have a busy month of May attending sport training camps throughout the province, building rapports with sports as they inch closer to final team selections.

Created in partnership in between Team BC and the Canadian Sport Institute – Pacific (CSI-Pacific), the Games Prep Program provides athletes with potential to represent Team BC at the Canada Games with training services, including free access to fitness and training facilities, coaching, and sports science support. Previously limited to carded athletes, the Games Prep Program has been expanded to long-listed athletes, aiming to capture and support a wider athlete talent pool.
 
As part of a three-part Speaker Series, the Games Prep Program is hosting a panel of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are Team BC alumni, for athletes and coaches preparing for the Canada Summer Games.