Search results for: volleyball

Team BC Flag Bearers Announced! From left to right: Camryn Scully, Métis Nation, U16 Softball, Michael Dumont, Métis Nation BC Regional Director and Minister of Sport, Annette Morgan, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres President, and Keegan Charlie, Musqueam and Sts'ailes Nations, U19 Soccer   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2017 TEAM BC ANNOUNCES FLAG BEARERS FOR THE 2017 NAIG OPENING CEREMONY Toronto, ON – Camryn Scully and Keegan Charlie will carry the British Columbia and Team BC flags into the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). “These athletes were nominated by Team BC coaches because they exemplify the spirit of fair play,” stated Lara Mussell Savage, Team BC Chef de Mission. “We are very fortunate to have two athletes who are outstanding role models representing Team BC at the Opening Ceremony." “What a huge honour to have been chosen to be Team BC’s flag bearer,” Camryn said. “I have been training hard and improving steadily all year. I am so happy and grateful to be recognized for my efforts.” Camryn is Métis and resides in Prince George, BC. In addition to representing the Province on the U16 Female Softball Team, Camryn is also a talented hockey player, playing for Team BC at the 2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) and a recipient of the Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport for the Northeast Region. “It's a big deal for me to be the flag bearer for Team BC because it means I am leading in so many great athletes who are representing our province into the Opening Ceremony,” said Keegan. “It’s a great honour.” Keegan is from Musqueam and Sts’ailes First Nations and resides in Agassiz, [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2017 I·SPARC UNVEILS NEW TEAM BC THEME SONG 545 Indigenous Athletes and Coaches from Team BC will sing new theme song at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games Victoria, BC – After launching a province-wide competition, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) has unveiled Team BC’s new theme song set to premiere at the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The song will be used to inspire Team BC during competitions and to create a unique presence at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Seven songs were submitted from Indigenous artists from across BC to the competition and were adjudicated by Team BC’s Theme Song Selection Committee ultimately leading to the winning song composed by William Wasden Jr. from the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw Nation. The new theme song will be unveiled at Team BC’s Pep Rally prior to the 2017 NAIG Opening Ceremonies and sung at all future events in which Team BC participates. “I composed the song in the spirit of inclusion and bringing as many Indigenous cultures from BC together,” William Wasden Jr. says of his composition. “The song is steady and upbeat and is meant to be used for celebrating and uplifting spirit. In our Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw tradition, these social songs are beautiful simple tunes that can easily be taught, so everyone is able to participate and fully enjoy the spirit of the song. I composed the song in the Chinook language because it is an inclusive language that is used throughout the Province.” “Team BC’s new theme song represents the spirit and passion of our athletes and coaches,” says Lara Mussell, Team BC Chef de Mission with I·SPARC. “We will be proud to sing this inspiring [...]

For Immediate Release Team BC unveils custom art to unite athletes at Games (May 17, 2017) - This summer, Team BC athletes will represent our province at two major multi-sport Games - the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg and the 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto. The organizers of the two Team BC contingents are excited to unveil a custom art design that was commissioned to celebrate the spirit of teamwork and cooperation. While both teams compete under the Team BC name, the contingents have traditionally been organized separately.  The design, Team BC Unite, was created by artist Jamin Zuroski and represents two teams, two worlds, embracing diversity, respect, connection, perseverance, excellence, and celebration. At the 2017 Canada Summer Games, Team BC athletes will proudly wear a shirt displaying the Team BC Unite design as they parade into the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  Team BC athletes at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) will proudly display the Team BC Unite design on their Closing Ceremony shirts. The design features two animals - the raven is a symbol of Team BC at the North American Indigenous Games and the whale represents Team BC at the Canada Games.  Each animal highlights special qualities such as strength, determination, unity, and desire for success both as an individual and as a team.  The feather symbolizes a tool that embraces balance of the mind, body and spirit.  All of elements together are in the shape of a ball or sphere to highlight momentum of the athletes and all of those who support them on their journey. The North American Indigenous Games are recognized as an important vehicle to promote Indigenous sport development and recreation in Canada.  Toronto will [...]

I·SPARC Accepting Applications for Volunteer Team BC Chaperones for 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) April 27, 2017 – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is seeking individuals interested in serving on Team BC’s volunteer staff as a chaperone for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The 2017 NAIG will take place from July 16-22, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario where 5,000 youth athletes and coaches will come together to celebrate sport excellence, cultural unity and pride. Applications are now being accepted for volunteer chaperone positions to serve on Team BC for various sports. Team chaperones are considered official members of Team BC and will travel with the team, stay with the team and participate in the NAIG Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Chaperones will also receive a Team BC uniform. Team BC will depart on either July 14 or 15 and will return on July 22 or 23, 2017. The chaperone is best fulfilled by a mature adult who can share in the supervision of youth and is willing to help support Team BC’s staff when needed. Chaperones will only incur the cost of travel to and from Vancouver, BC. The flights to and from Toronto, Ontario as well as accommodation and meals while at the Games are covered. Individuals selected to serve on the volunteer Team BC Staff must submit a recent Criminal Record & Vulnerable Sector Check. For more information, visit the online application at https://aboriginalsportbc.wufoo.eu/forms/2017-naig-team-bc-chaperone/. Application deadline: 5:00 PM (PST), May 19, 2017.   Team BC Background The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is responsible for managing the Team BC Programs for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). Through the support [...]

Team BC Theme Song Competition for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Indigenous artists, songwriters, composers invited to submit original drum song to serve as the official Theme Song for Team BC Victoria, BC (April 18, 2017) – Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the launch of a competition for Indigenous artists to compose and submit an original drum song to be used as Team BC’s official theme song at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and future Team BC programs. The drum song competition is open to all Indigenous artists (singer/songwriters, composers, musicians) across British Columbia and the winning artist or group will receive a $3,500 prize award. This is an exciting opportunity for Indigenous artists to be a part of Team BC’s legacy. The selected song will be unveiled at the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), July 16-23, 2017, and sung at all future events in which Team BC participates(e.g. National Aboriginal Hockey Championships). The original composition can include both traditional and contemporary elements, Indigenous and English language, but must be sung to the beat of a drum. The composition will capture the spirit and passion of Team BC and as our theme song, Team BC athletes and coaches will sing it throughout the duration of the 2017 NAIG. The song will be used to inspire Team BC during competitions and to create a unique presence at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The details of the Team BC Theme Song competition, including competition rules and submission procedures can be found in the Theme Song Competition Package available for download at http://isparc.ca/team-bc-naig-song-competition/. The deadline for submissions is May 18, 2017. The contest winner will be announced [...]

I·SPARC's Spring Intake of Equipment Grant Applications NOW OPEN! Victoria, BC (March 24, 2017) - I·SPARC (The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council) is now accepting applications for its Spring edition of the Equipment Grant Program. The Equipment Grant Program offers First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres and some other not-for-profit organizations serving Indigenous communities across British Columbia the opportunity to apply for funds to purchase sport, recreation and/or physical activity equipment. The equipment must be used to promote healthy active lifestyles by reducing barriers and increasing access to sport, recreation and physical activity programs. The release of the Equipment Grant Program is delivered through I·SPARC's Regional Selection Committees, inclusive of the Northwest, Northeast, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal and Vancouver Island regions. Regional Selection Committees will be responsible for evaluating the applications submitted by communities/organizations from all regions and awarding the grants. The deadline for Equipment Grant Applications is Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 by 4:00 pm. Applications must include:            Official purchase quote or statement from retailer(s), vendor, or distributor Letter(s) of support Please read the information below before proceeding to the application form: ELIGIBILITY All First Nations, Metis Chartered Communities and Friendship Centres are eligible to apply. In addition, some community not-for-profit organizations that deliver Indigenous sport, recreation and/or physical activity programs will be eligible to apply. Due to limited funds, not all applications will be selected. APPLICATION DEADLINE All applications (including official purchase quotes or statements from a retailer, supplier or distributor) must be received on or before 4 pm (PST), Wednesday, April 19th, 2017.  Note: Successful applicants will be notified in late April/early May. FINAL REPORT All grant recipients will be required to complete and submit a final report. [...]

  Photo Credit Geoff Howe(Standing, from left to right) Dr. Evan Adams, Chief Medical Officer FNHA, Rick Brant, Executive Director, I·SPARC, Christopher Sheppard, President, National Association of Friendship Centres, Bill Guerin, Regional Director, INAC, Annette Morgan, President, BCAAFC, Scott Fraser, MLA, Port Alberni, Clara Morin Dal Col, President, MNBC, Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport, Melanie Mark, MLA Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Joan Phillip(Seated, left to right - Recipients) (back) Harold Moore, Lyndzie Caron, Janet Atchison (for Lyric Atchison), Crosby Stewart, Brandon Schellenberger, Shalaya Valenzuela, (front) Mayben Crabbe, Hayden Craig, Connor Weyell, Kevin Harrison (for Joel Harrison), Mateya Haintz, Corey Stewart   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE B.C. and I·SPARC Honour Provincial Recipients of Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport Twelve Outstanding Aboriginal Athletes Receive Prestigious Award Kelowna, B.C. (March 21, 2017) – The 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport were presented this evening to twelve outstanding Aboriginal youth athletes from British Columbia. The awards were presented by Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport, during a formal celebration held during the opening ceremonies of the Gathering Our Voices Youth Conference at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre in Kelowna, B.C. The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC), in collaboration with the Government of British Columbia, created the Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport to highlight the incredible achievements of Aboriginal youth athletes in the province. The second-annual awards honour Aboriginal athletes under 25 years of age who have achieved excellence in performance sport, are regarded for their leadership qualities, are committed to a higher education, and are recognized as community role models both on and off the field. From the [...]

Standing: Bruce Baptiste, Interior Regional Lead, Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council; Daniel Joe, Councillor, Splatsin; Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Neskonlith Indian Band; Katie Klassen, Pacific Sport Representative; Cherlyn Billy, Councillor, Bonaparte Indian Band; Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson, BCAFN; Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport; Rick Brant, Executive Directory, Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council. Seated (Recipients): Brianna Kelly, Ethan Joe, Brooklyn Tanner, Kalezafar Lawrence, Lyndzie Caron, Ryan Ignace, Hayden Craig, Richard Celesta FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Interior Honours Recipients of the 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport Eight Outstanding Aboriginal Athletes Receive Prestigious Award Kamloops, B.C. (November 29, 2016) – The 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport were presented this evening to eight outstanding Aboriginal youth athletes from British Columbia’s Interior region. The awards were presented by Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport, during a formal celebration held at the Moccasin Square Gardens. The Interior region is the last of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council’s six regions to honour Aboriginal athletes through this prestigious province-wide awards program. The Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process in September 2016, receiving more than 130 nominations from across the province for Aboriginal athletes under 25 years of age who have achieved excellence in performance sport, are regarded for their leadership qualities, are committed to higher education, and are recognized as community role models both on and off the field of play. A total of 47 recipients were chosen within the Partners Council’s six regions – Northeast, Northwest, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island. The 2016 Premier’s Awards for [...]

Photo Credit Melody Charlie (Standing) Wally Samuel, Vancouver Island Regional Co-Lead, Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, Paul Wyse Seward, Snuneymuxw Councillor, Janice Johnson, First Nations Health Authority Rep, Michael Dumont, Regional Director, Métis Nation BC, Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport, Leonard Krog, MLA, Nanaimo, Don McRae, MLA, Comox Valley, Rick Brant, Executive Director, Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council   (Seated) 2016 Premier's Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport, Vancouver Island Regional Recipients: Anthony Henry, Danielle Dawson, Brandon Schellenberger, Jasmine Hunt, Jessica Strandlund, Crosby Stewart, Mayben Crabbe Photo credit Melody Charlie FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver Island Honours Recipients of the 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport Eight Outstanding Aboriginal Athletes Receive Prestigious Award Nanaimo, B.C. (November 22, 2016) – The 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport were presented this evening to eight outstanding Aboriginal youth athletes from British Columbia’s Vancouver Island region. The awards were presented by Gordon Hogg, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Sport, during a formal celebration held at the Snuneymuxw Recreation and Wellness Centre. The Vancouver Island region is the fifth of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council’s six regions to honour Aboriginal athletes through this prestigious province-wide awards program. The Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process in September 2016, receiving more than 130 nominations from across the province for Aboriginal athletes under 25 years of age who have achieved excellence in performance sport, are regarded for their leadership qualities, are committed to higher education, and are recognized as community role models both on and off the field of play. [...]