Ringette Player to Carry Nova Scotia Flag

Ringette player Rebecca Kerr will kick off her first Canada Games by leading Team Nova Scotia into the opening ceremonies on Feb. 23 in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Health Promotion and Protection Minister Barry Barnet announced today, Feb. 14, that Ms. Kerr is the team's flag bearer for the Games' opening ceremonies. An athlete will be chosen during the second week of the Games to carry the flag at the closing ceremonies.

"Our flag bearer represents the best of our athletes -- she exhibits a strong commitment to sport, to the team, and to Nova Scotia," said Mr. Barnet. "Rebecca leads her ringette team with passion and enthusiasm, as I'm sure she will Team Nova Scotia. We're proud to have her carry the Nova Scotia flag."

Ms. Kerr, of Bedford, is a Grade 11 student at Charles P. Allen High School. She is a co-captain of Team Nova Scotia's ringette team, having started playing ringette at the age of six. She plays centre for the team, and has been to every ringette national championship since Calgary in 2004, including Winnipeg in 2005, Longueuil in 2006, and Halifax in 2007.

In addition, she has competed provincially in track and field and lacrosse. She also dabbles in soccer and touch football.

"It is an honour to be flag bearer for Team Nova Scotia. I will carry our flag with great pride," said Ms. Kerr. "While in Whitehorse, our challenge as Nova Scotian athletes is to put forth our best effort -- to compete, have fun, and show the rest of Canada that we are all on the same playing field."

Ringette runs in the Kerr family. Rebecca's grandfather helped to bring Ringette to Nova Scotia in the early 1970s and coached Bedford's first team. Rebecca is carrying on the tradition by helping with many ringette clinics in communities across the province, teaching younger kids the basics of ringette.

Team Nova Scotia's uniform design was also unveiled today. The four-piece uniform incorporates Team Nova Scotia's official colours -- royal blue, black and white. It includes a nylon, waterproof winter jacket, a blue shell jacket, black fleece-lined snow pants and a black micro-fibre long-sleeved shirt. All members of Team Nova Scotia will also wear a black tuque and mittens.

The uniform was modelled by speed skater Jeffrey DeCoste of Dartmouth and artist Lisa Snow of Fall River. Team members wear the uniform for the opening and closing ceremonies, medal ceremonies and other official occasions.

Team Nova Scotia 2007 has 290 members -- 213 athletes, 36 coaches, 23 managers, three artists and 15 mission staff. See the team's website at ns.canadagames.ca for the latest information on Team Nova Scotia.

The Canada Games is the country's largest amateur multi-sport event. More than 3,600 athletes, coaches and managers will gather in Whitehorse to compete for 1,122 medals in 22 sports.