Halifax 2014 Commits to International Sport Development

With a focus on sport development throughout the Commonwealth, Halifax 2014 announced today, Nov. 10, the creation of its Commonwealth Games Association Partner Program.

The program is focused on supporting all 70 Commonwealth nations and territories outside of Canada, providing them with assistance to meet their sport development objectives.

"Lasting legacies here at home and throughout the Commonwealth are the centrepiece of our bid," said Scott Logan, Halifax 2014 CEO. "A successful Commonwealth Games means all athletes are able to participate with pride, dignity and the belief that they have prepared to the best of their ability. In keeping with the spirit of the Games we believe it's our responsibility to assist athletes in reaching that goal."

Incorporating feedback from discussions with various Commonwealth Games Associations, Halifax 2014's program is designed to reflect the needs of the associations and ensure it provides support that will have an impact on the development of athletes and sports systems throughout the Commonwealth. Specifically, the Commonwealth Games Association Partner Program will provide access to world-class coaches and experts in sport science as well as team sporting equipment.

The program builds on Halifax 2014's Bid Legacy Program that was announced during the domestic bid phase to ensure the benefits of the 2014 Commonwealth Games start during the bidding phases and last long after the Games are finished. With investments focused on supporting regional high-performance training centres, the Halifax 2014 Bid Legacy Program provided a total of $75,000 in funding across Atlantic Canada.

The Commonwealth Games Association Partner Program also continues the tradition of Commonwealth Games Canada, which has been delivering a wide range of development through sport programs funded by the federal government in Caribbean and African Commonwealth countries since the early 1990s.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to build on the partnership model that has already made such a difference in dozens of communities in the Commonwealth," said Dr. Andrew Pipe, president of Commonwealth Games Canada and member of the Halifax 2014 board of directors. "With a specific focus on the development of sport, this program can help build capacity and raise the overall standard of performance across the Commonwealth -- to the benefit of all athletes for the Games in 2010, 2014 and beyond."

Using sport as a development tool for individuals and communities, the program will also allow Canadian coaches to gain an understanding of what is required to deliver a better Games experience for athletes while enriching Canada's own sport development.

"Sport is a vehicle that can bring people together regardless of culture, geography, language or economic status," said Rachel Bedingfield, Commonwealth Games Canada member at large, local athlete and former sport development intern in Kenya. "Through this program young sport leaders can develop their skills while contributing to the sport systems of other countries - it's a win-win for everyone involved."

With a total budget of $700,000, the Commonwealth Games Association Partner Program will provide direct support of about $10,000 to associations over the next 12 months during the international bid phase.

The Commonwealth Games are an international sport and cultural event held every four years in which athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories compete. In December 2005, Halifax won the right to be Canada's candidate city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In competition with Glasgow, Scotland and Abuja, Nigeria, the Halifax 2014 Bid Committee is now focused on developing and winning the international bid, which will be awarded by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Nov. 9, 2007 in Sri Lanka.