FREDERICTON (CNB) - The chef de mission and assistant chef de mission of the New Brunswick team participating in the 2009 Canada Summer Games have been announced by Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Hédard Albert. Jennifer Bent-Richard will serve as chef de mission, while Steve Harris will act as assistant chef de mission.

The Games will take place on Prince Edward Island from Aug. 15-29, 2009. Several coaches have also been selected, with the remainder to be named during the coming months.

"The Canada Games experience is an important way in which sport helps our youth become strong, proud, self-sufficient New Brunswickers, who are the future of our province," Albert said. "The leadership provided by the chef de mission, assistant chef, mission and coaching staff to Team New Brunswick is invaluable to this experience."

The Canada Games are Canada's premiere sporting event, with over 4,400 participants representing each province and territory participating in 18 sports. A team of about 340 athletes, artists, coaches, managers and mission staff will represent New Brunswick.

The Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport also issued a call for experienced individuals with an interest in being part of Team New Brunswick's mission staff for the 2009 Canada Summer Games. Successful applicants will work with the chef de mission and assistant chef de mission to form a leadership support team that will help New Brunswick's top young athletes prepare for and compete at the Games.

"Participating on the mission staff is an excellent opportunity for committed and capable individuals to be involved with Team New Brunswick," Albert said. "As a member of Team New Brunswick, volunteer mission staff members will help to ensure a positive and personal sport development experience for all participants."

Those interested in volunteering for mission staff positions are invited to visit http://www.gnb.ca/sport for further information.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Background information follows.

Backgrounder
2009 Canada Summer Games, Prince Edward Island

The 2009 Canada Summer Games is a national multi-sport and cultural event being held Aug. 15-29 on Prince Edward Island.

The 2009 Canada Summer Games will feature activities across the province. Week One of the Games will be based in the western part of the province, with the athletes' village at Slemon Park near Summerside. Week Two events will be based in the eastern part of the province, and the athletes' village will move to the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.

There will be 18 different sports, including:

  • athletics
  • baseball
  • basketball
  • beach volleyball
  • canoeing/kayaking
  • cycling
  • diving
  • golf
  • rowing
  • rugby
  • sailing
  • soccer
  • softball
  • swimming
  • tennis
  • triathlon
  • volleyball
  • wrestling

Since its beginning in 1967, the Canada Games has evolved to become the pinnacle of national competition for Canadian athletes, and includes divisions for persons with disabilities, as well as an arts component called the National Artist Program.

Biographies

Chef de mission

Jennifer Bent-Richard was a member of the Canada Games mission staff in 2001, and assistant chef de mission in 2005. In 2003, as part of her responsibilities with the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, she served as a liaison with the Bathurst-Campbellton Canada Winter Games Host Society. She received a masters degree in sport and recreation administration from the University of New Brunswick, and has been employed as a consultant with the Sport and Recreation Branch since 2001. As a volunteer she has had significant involvement with Special Olympics Canada, and served as chef de mission for Team New Brunswick at two national Games. She also served on mission staff and as assistant chef de mission at the 1999 and 2001 World Special Olympics Games, respectively. Most recently she was chef de mission for the 2007 World Special Olympics Summer Games in Shanghai, China. She lives in New Maryland with her husband, John, and 18-month-old daughter, Ali.

Assistant chef de mission

Steve Harris is a Canada Games veteran, having been a key mission staff member in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2007. He has performed a variety of roles, including transportation co-ordinator and sport liaison. He received a masters degree in physical education from the University of New Brunswick, and has been employed as a consultant with the Sport and Recreation Branch since 1995. Currently he plays a lead role in the province for the promotion of the Canadian Sport for Life and Long-term Athlete Development model. He brings a wealth of personal experience to the team through his experiences as a volunteer soccer coach and as a volunteer on various local, provincial and national boards. He has also been through the Canada Games process as a parent, when his son, Ray, participated in long track speed skating at the 2007 Games in Whitehorse.

08-01-08