News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Team Canada-New Brunswick will leave on Thursday, Sept. 5, for Nice, France, for the 7^th edition of the Francophonie Games, Sept. 7 to 15.

“The Games are a rich and unique experience,” said Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Dorothy Shephard. “For the athletes, it will provide them a privileged opportunity to compete on the international scene. The Games offer them a stepping stone to other major competitions. The artists get a golden chance to shine on the international scene and enjoy creative encounters with fellow artists from around the world.”

The 37 participants will attend the official opening ceremonies on Saturday at Place Masséna, beginning at 2:30 p.m. (ADT).

“The New Brunswick athletes and artists will be able to build on this experience to help them achieve their goals and objectives in their sport or art,” said Shephard.

Held every four years, the Games bring together more than 3,000 young people representing the member states and governments of La Francophonie to take part in sports and cultural competitions. Fifty-five delegations will attend the Games.

New Brunswick will be represented in three sport disciplines by the following athletes:

Athletics

●    Grace Annear of Hampton (800 m);
●    Réjean Chiasson of Tilley Road (10,000m);
●    Nadine Frost of Bocabec (1,500 m);
●    Lydia Frost of Bocabec (1,500 m);
●    Adam Gaudes of Fredericton (800 m);
●    Caleb Jones of Saint John (javelin throw);
●    Geneviève Lalonde of Moncton (3,000 m steeplechase); and
●    Elizabeth McDonald of Oromocto (hammer throw).
 ●    Coach: Steve LeBlanc of Riverview.
    
Wrestling

●    Samantha Stewart of Fredericton (under 55 kg);
●    Brittany Dillman of Fredericton (under 59 kg);
●    Morgan St-Laurent of Fredericton (under 66 kg);
●    Shawn Daye-Finley of Fredericton (under 74 kg);
●    Grayson St-Laurent of Fredericton (under 84 kg);
●    Thomas MacRae of Fredericton (under 96 kg); and
●    Charles Thoms of Fredericton (under 120 kg).
●    Coaches: Michel Côté of Bathurst and Don Ryan of Maugerville.
    
Judo

●    Martine Chenhall of Saint John (under 78 kg - women);
●    Joshua Shannon of Saint John (under 66 kg - men);
●    Maxime Raymond of Kedgwick (under 81 kg - men);
●    Miguel Raymond of Kedgwick (under 90 kg - men); and
●    Marc Fortner of Fredericton (under 100 kg - men).
●    Coach: Fred Blaney of Fredericton.
    
In the cultural disciplines, New Brunswick will be represented in the following categories:

●    Storytelling – Kevin Arseneau of Robertville.
●    Literature – Pierre-André Doucet of Moncton.
●    Painting – Sarah Jones of Saint John.
●    Photography – Jaret Beliveau of Memramcook.
 
The athletes and artists on Team Canada-New Brunswick will be supported by the following mission staff:

●    Chef de delegation: Roger Duval of Fredericton;
●    Chef de mission: Jean-Luc Benoit of Fredericton;
●    Assistant chef de mission responsible for sport: Jason Arseneault of Eel River Crossing;
●    Assistant chef de mission responsible for culture: Bunthivy Nou of Fredericton;
●    Mission staff member: Mélanie Arsenault of Miramichi;
●    Mission staff member: Eric Larocque of Moncton;
●    Head of communications: Normand Léger of Dieppe;
●    Medical staff - physiotherapist: Monique LeBlanc of Moncton; and
●    Medical staff - physiotherapist: Bertrand Bélanger of Edmundston.
 
Visit the Team Canada-New Brunswick website for results  or visit the Facebook page.