Commonwealth Games Canada announces creation of Athlete Council
OTTAWA (April 2, 2012) — Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Canada’s top summer sport athletes by announcing the creation of a new Athlete Council.
Chaired by two-time Commonwealth Games competitor, Suzanne Weckend-Dill, the Athlete Council will actively seek the ideas and concerns of national team members involved in Commonwealth sports. The ultimate goal is to enhance their overall Games experience, now and into the future.
“As Council members, we’ve all gained in tangible and significant ways from competing at the Commonwealth Games,” said Weckend-Dill. “Our job now is to ensure the athlete perspective is kept front and centre so that these Games continue to provide a unique, world-class experience.”
Weckend-Dill pointed to the organizers of the upcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games who are proactively looking for athlete input to ensure the event delivers maximum value.
“Commonwealth Games Canada’s new Athlete Council is a welcome and exciting development for athletes and sport in Canada,” said Kate Randall, Glasgow 2014’s Director of Games Family Relations. “The team at Glasgow 2014 is committed to delivering a Commonwealth Games that is athlete centred and sport focused and we look forward to working positively with CGC and their Athlete Council to ensure Canadian athletes, along with athletes from across the Commonwealth, enjoy an outstanding Games experience in Scotland.”
The Athlete Council will provide input on athlete agreements, team selection policy and athlete advocacy related to the Commonwealth Games in addition to marketing, fundraising and communications activities.
Athlete Council members include:
- Jennifer Joyce (Richmond, BC), Hammer Throw, 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medal;
- Benoît Huot (St-Hubert, QC), Para-Swimming, 2002 Commonwealth Games bronze medal, 2006 Commonwealth Games two silver medals; 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal
- Erinne Willock (Victoria, BC), Cycling, 2010 and 2006 Commonwealth Games team member;
- Philip Wright (Vancouver, BC), Field Hockey, 2010 and 2006 Commonwealth Games team member.
With experience competing at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Swimming and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Triathlon, Council Chair Suzanne Weckend-Dill is serving a second term as Athlete Representative on the CGC Board of Directors. She was recently appointed as the Athlete Representative on the international Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“Time and again, I hear from Canadian Olympians and world champions who believe their Commonwealth Games experience helped determine their later success against the world’s best athletes,” added Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of CGC’s Board of Directors. “If we are to continue enhancing that experience, we must be intentional about seeking regular, direct input from our top summer sport athletes. The Athlete Advisory Council will play a pivotal role in achieving this objective.”
Members of the Athlete Advisory Council are appointed to the committee by the Athlete Representative for four-year terms ending with the last Annual General Meeting of the quadrennial.
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canadaand an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealthby participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.
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For more information, contact:
Brian MacPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth Games Canada
(613) 244-6868 x 226
brian@commonwealthgames.ca
www.commonwealthgames.ca
