For immediate release
Team Nova Scotia’s Chef de Mission appointed for 2011 Canada Games
HALIFAX, NS (January 18, 2010) – Sport Nova Scotia’s Canada Games Management Committee announces today the appointment of Frank Garner as the chef de mission for the 2011 Canada Games. The Games will be held in Halifax from February 11 to 27, 2011.
Recently finishing his role as the General Manager for Canoe ’09 – the Senior World Canoe Championships, Mr. Garner will bring a strong voice and leadership to Team Nova Scotia. “We are very happy to have Frank Garner as Team Nova Scotia’s Chef de Mission,” says Kevin Cameron, Chair of the Canada Games Management Committee. “The chef’s role is key to a team’s success. This person plays a critical role in managing logistics so that our athletes, coaches, and managers are able to concentrate on their competitions and performances. Given Frank’s strong background and in-depth understanding of sport events, we know that he is the right person for this job.”
The former executive director of Events Halifax from 1998 until 2005, Mr. Garner was instrumental in promoting Halifax and Nova Scotia as an event destination and working with groups looking to host events in Nova Scotia. During his time with Events Halifax, the province hosted several significant and successful events including the 2003 World Theatre Congress and Festival, 2002 Royal Bank Cup, 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships, 2003 Nokia Brier and the 2004 World Women’s Hockey Championship.
Throughout his career, Mr. Garner has also been involved in sport especially canoeing. He is the chair of the international canoe sprint racing committee; and was the chief official for canoeing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2004 Athens Olympics (canoeing), and the 2000 Sydney Olympics (canoeing). He was the chief canoe official at the 1999 Pan American Games – Winnipeg. After the Canada Games, his next significant role will be the technical delegate and chief official for canoe at the London Olympics in 2012.
“Sporting events have played a central role in my life,” says Mr. Garner. “As a coach, educator, facilitator and volunteer, my experiences will enable me to lead a team of committed and impassioned staff all with the purpose of helping our athletes achieve their goals and dreams. I am honoured to be selected as chef de mission and excited to be part of this momentous opportunity for Nova Scotia.”
More than 340 athletes, coaches, and managers will be part of Team Nova Scotia along with local artists participating in the Canada Games cultural festival. The Canada Games is the country's largest amateur multi-sport event. The 2011 Games will be the largest sporting event in Halifax’s history and the city’s first Canada Winter Games. Twenty sporting events will be part of the Games.
Partners supporting Team Nova Scotia include Sport Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection. Official sponsors include CTV, The Chronicle Herald, 101.3 The Bounce and Scotian Gold.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Catherine McKellar
Director, Communications and Public Relations
902-425-5450 ext. 321
cmckellar@sportnovascotia.ca