The Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games kick off next week and 3072 of B.C.’s best emerging high performance talents have registered and are ready to be part of this celebration of sport and community which runs July 19-22.
The 2373 athletes are from every corner of the province and have trained to earn a place to represent their zone at the Games. Competing in 18 different sports, the athletes are an average of 14 years old and for most, this will be their first experience at a multi-sport Games. These athletes will be supported by 453 coaches and 246 officials who have earned their certification in order to provide the best knowledge and expertise to the athletes and the competition.
Athletes with a disability will compete in athletics, canoe/ kayak, equestrian and swimming. A recent partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (ISPARC) will see new opportunities for Indigenous athletes to compete in canoe kayak, basketball, and box lacrosse.
“The Cowichan Valley is known for its warm hospitality and culture including an energetic sport community that is prepared and ready to welcome the province,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The athletes, coaches, and officials will have the opportunity to compete at high quality sport facilities throughout the valley and experience all that these multisport Games have to offer as they pursue their dreams of future national and international level competitions.”
Volunteers in the Cowichan Valley have been preparing for the past two years to host the Games. There will be over 2500 volunteers working to ensure the participants have exceptional competition and a firstrate experience with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, special events, and wonderful hospitality.
“The Cowichan Region is ready and excited to welcome the athletes, coaches, officials, spectators and guests to this beautiful place I call home. Please come and enjoy all that Cowichan has to offer,” said Jennifer Woike, President of the Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games.
The BC Summer Games has been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to higher levels of sport such as the Canada Games and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Thirty-five BC Games alumni competed for Canada at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games including Georgia Simmerling (cycling), Kirsten Sweetland (triathlon), Jamie Broder (beach volleyball), Evan Dunfee (race walk), and Byron Green (wheelchair rugby).
For more information about the BC Summer Games please visit BCGAMES. ORG.
