New Westminster is sending a pair of athletes from the snowy Lower Mainland to snowy Red Deer this week for the 2019 Canada Winter Games, which open on Friday.
Competition will take place in 21 sports against teams from Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. Over half of Team B.C.’s 251 athletes and coaches bring with them valuable experience from previous B.C. Winter or B.C. Summer Games.
A pair of ringette players – Kristen Hunter and Brooke Valancius – will be wearing B.C. colours as part of Team B.C. The city’s Shasta Trampoline Club will be represented by Burnaby’s Declan MacLean. Going as mission staff is Courtney Lott.
Team BC finished third behind Quebec (141 medals) and Ontario (111 medals) at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George with 88 medals - 21 gold, 34 silver, and 33 bronze.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to lead a group of dedicated athletes, coaches and sport staff to the 2019 Canada Winter Games,” said Team B.C.’s Chef de Mission Jennifer Scott. “We have done all we can to prepare our team. Now it’s their turn to put all that practice into competition. I’m excited to watch our team perform at the Games.”
Many high-level athletes have launched their athletic careers through the B.C. Games and Team B.C. At the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 19 Team BC alumni were part of Team Canada.
