Athletes, Mission Staff Honoured

Team Nova Scotia's medal winners, flag bearers and mission staff are being honoured at a gathering at Province House today, April 22.

The team won eight medals and the Claude Hardy Award for the best mission staff at the 2003 Canada Winter Games which ran from Feb. 22 to March 8 in Bathurst-Campbellton, N.B.

"Our young athletes represented Nova Scotia with pride and good sportsmanship, and they gave the performances of their lives at the Games," said Premier John Hamm. "I offer my congratulations to all our athletes, and I encourage them to stay involved with the Canada Games movement by coaching or organizing sport events."

Nova Scotia will host the Canada Winter Games in 2011. The bid process for a host community should begin in 2006.

Medalists on the Team Nova Scotia 2003 are:

• Sarah Ackermann, Sherbrooke, bronze in shooting
• Lars Anderson, Halifax, bronze in mens' figure skating
• James Blood, St. Croix, gold in mens' Special Olympics figure skating
• Britney Gennette, Dartmouth, and Joseph Scott, West Porters Lake, bronze in figure skating dance
• Cassaundra Hawley, Port Hood, silver in judo
• Alonzo Johnson, Dartmouth, bronze in boxing
• Brandon Snow, Pictou, bronze in boxing
• Ryan White, Kennetcook, gold in boxing

The team had two flag bearers, one for each week of competition. They are leaders on the team, chosen for their strong commitment to sport, to the team, and to Nova Scotia.

Ringette goalie Nicole Doucet of Bedford led her teammates into the opening ceremonies. Hockey player Tara French of Truro carried the Nova Scotia flag into the closing ceremonies.

Eighteen Nova Scotians volunteering as mission staff won the Claude Hardy Award for the second time. Nova Scotia is the only province with a fully volunteer mission staff.

"These 18 volunteers met for the first time almost exactly a year ago today -- just 10 months before the Games," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "They came together as a team, and were recognized by mission staff from across the country for their strong support for our athletes and their enthusiasm for the Games experience."

The award is presented to the provincial or territorial mission staff that best exhibits leadership, co-operation, integrity and esprit de corps. It was presented for the first time at the 2001 Canada Summer Games in London, Ont., to Team Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia's mission staff were led by chef de mission Pascal Roberge of Dartmouth and assistant chef de mission Russell MacDonald of Groves Point, Cape Breton. Mr. MacDonald will lead Team Nova Scotia to the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina, Sask.

Team Nova Scotia mission staff are overseen by the Canada Games Management Group. It is the first non-government group in Canada to manage a team in the Games. It is volunteer-driven and works in partnership with sport organizations.

Team Nova Scotia is funded by the Office of Health Promotion, through the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission.