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Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Legacy Fund Recipients Announced

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Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Society is awarding approximately $200,000 in legacy funds to three initiatives that will benefit the community for years to come.

Fifty per cent of the funds will go to Quesnel Community Foundation to create an annual fund to be awarded to a sport team or club for a capital project or maintenance of facilities, while 25 per cent will create another fund with Quesnel Community Foundation for two annual scholarships for student athletes from School District 28. Homeschooled athletes will also be eligible if they live within the district. The final 25 per cent will be given to Lhtako Dene Nation as seed funding for trail network improvements on reserve lands.

Legacy funds come from the generosity of the business community in supporting the Games with cash and in-kind contributions, merchandise sales, and the sound financial management and creative low-cost problem solving of the Board of Directors and key volunteers that led the Games.

The funding allocation was announced at a Legacy Celebration held at Lhtako Dene Longhouse on November 29. Invited guests included key volunteers from the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games, as well as elected officials from the Lhtako Dene Nation, City of Quesnel, and Cariboo Regional District, and representatives from the BC Games Society. The decision was made by a small committee made up of volunteers from the Games.

“We are blown away by the support we received from the community for these Games,” said Brenda Beatty, Vice, President, Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Society.. “Whether donating funds, providing in-kind support, or volunteering their time, the community came together to make the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games a success and have a lasting positive impact. These legacy projects will benefit the broader community for years to come.”

Prior to the Games, the region saw other investments through the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games operating budget and the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund, which supported projects including improvements to the biathlon range at Hallis Lake, coach education for the Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club, new mats for Judo, the development of a slopestyle course at Troll Mountain, and start-up support for a local Freestyle Ski Club. Complete details of the Powering Potential Fund projects for the 2024 BC Winter Games are available here. More information about the Powering Potential Fund can be found on staging.bcgames.org/.

“While the BC Winter Games took place over five wonderful days in Quesnel and surrounding areas, the benefits to the community are long lasting,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “Over fourteen hundred volunteers came together to make the Games happen, many of whom were left with new skills, experiences, or connections in the community. In addition, sport and other community facilities received upgrades in order to stage the Games. Now, the Legacy Fund will continue to support events and individuals for many years to come.

“Congratulations to the Board of Directors for the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games for their extraordinary work to make this vision a reality.”

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Media Contacts:

Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
amyjanereid@gmail.com

David Conlin
Marketing and Communications Manager
BC Games Society
davidc@bcgames.org

Sixteen Participants Receive BC Games Leadership Bursary at 2024 BC Winter Games

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Athletes, youth coaches, and officials taking part in the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games were invited to apply for the BC Games Leadership Bursary. Supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, this bursary aims to recognize participants under 19 years of age who have achieved in academics and sport while going above and beyond in their communities through leadership and volunteer activities.

Sixteen recipients were awarded a $1,000 bursary to support their future sport or educational pursuits.

Kootenays (Zone 1)
Jasmine Chow – Artistic Gymnastics (Castlegar)
Sylas Welch – Alpine Skiing (Kimberley)

Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2)
Annika Hay – Ringette (Kelowna)
Daylen Zachary – Ringette (Salmon Arm)

Fraser Valley (Zone 3)
Saanvi Lad – Karate (Langley)
Lachlan Sandford – Wheelchair Basketball (Mission)

Fraser River (Zone 4)
Weisen (Wilson) Hu – Badminton (Coquitlam)
Kierana Laut – Speed Skating (Coquitlam)

Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5)
Vania Amani – Karate (North Vancouver)
Nika Ghaderi – Badminton (Richmond)

Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6)
Yashita Kaku – Karate (Victoria)
Rio Garcia – Judo (Shawnigan Lake)

North West (Zone 7)
Reese Hansen – Ringette (Terrace)
Katie Lo – Alpine Skiing (Smithers)

Cariboo-North East (Zone 8)
Sayla Forman – Artistic Gymnastics (Quesnel)
Lily Fraser – 150 Mile House (Archery)

 

Prince George’s Cillian Hollybow wins W.R. Bennett Award

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QUESNEL, B.C. – Prince George’s Cillian Hollybow was presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence as the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games on Sunday.

A karate athlete in Zone 8 North West, Hollybow was recognized for his outstanding achievements before and at the Games. The presentation was made by the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and MLA for Stikine.

“It’s been excellent to see this kind of growth and I’m excited about his potential for the future,” Jordan Foy, Hollybow’s coach at the Games, told Global BC.

The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games who demonstrates athletic achievement and leadership. Nominations are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations and the winner receives a $2,500 bursary. The award was named in honour of former premier Bill Bennett, who created the BC Games in 1978.

At the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games, Hollybow took home a pair of silver medals.

“I’m very proud of this for myself and for everyone who helped me get it,” said Hollybow. “I want to get a gold medal in an international event like a Pan-Ams or a World Championships.”

Hollybow has showcased remarkable achievements in karate, highlighted by a gold medal at the U14 Male Kumite -50kg at the 2023 Karate Canada National Championships. This victory secured him a place on Team Canada at the 2023 Junior Pan American Karate Championships in Santiago, Chile where he placed 9th. His talent extends to the World Karate Federation Karate-1 Youth League in Merida, Mexico, where he finished 5th in the same category.

A Brown Belt at the Nechako Karate Club, he assists younger athletes in their training. In his free time, he is a school champion in chess and a talented cello player who is part of the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Jade Kotzer receives ProMOTION Plus Leadership Award

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Quesnel, BC – The ProMOTION Plus Leadership Award has been presented to Jade Kotzer, President of Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club, as part of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games. The award is given at each Games to an organization or individual in the Games host community who has helped to develop opportunities for women and girls in BC to participate more fully in sports or recreation.

Jade Kotzer is a vocal advocate for girls in sport. Recognizing the challenges and stereotypes that often hinder young girls from pursuing athletic endeavors, she took it upon herself to be a voice of inspiration. Through her continued dedication to coaching, judging and organizing, she has worked tirelessly to break down barriers and encourage young girls to embrace their athletic potential. Jade’s advocacy reached its pinnacle when she earned the prestigious, “member of Distinction” award from her sport association, a testament to her exceptional contributions to her sport community and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.

Through Sport BC and its members, ProMOTION Plus strives to ensure gender equity is a standard throughout the provincial sport sector. The work of ProMOTION Plus ensures girls and women have equal opportunities in physical activity and sport and helps all girls and women in BC have access to a complete range of opportunities, choices, and resources that lead to positive experiences in physical activity and competitive and recreational sport as participants and leaders.

Brenda Beatty, Vice President of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games presenting the award, had this to say, “Jade’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring female athletes in any discipline, proving that with dedication, perseverance, and a passion for positive change, one can excel in both personal achievements and societal contributions. Her legacy in her sport, gymnastics, extends far beyond her dazzling routines and many hours of volunteering; it is a legacy of empowerment, breaking barriers, and paving the way for the next generation of female athletes.”

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Contact:

Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
pr@bcwintergames.ca

First Medals Awarded at the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games in Quesnel 

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Hallis Lake – History has been made with the first medals presented at the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games. The awards were for winners in the Biathlon event, held at Hallis Lake.  

For Junior Girls, the 1st place medal was awarded to Skye Cadell (Zone 8 – Cariboo-North East), with a finishing time of 17:55.7, 2nd place was awarded to Ella Broadworth (Zone 7 – North West) with a finishing time of 18:37.7 and 3rd place was close behind, awarded to Claire Benson (Zone 5 – Vancouver-Coastal) with a finishing time of 18:44.0.  

For the Junior Boys, William Bertrand (Zone 2 – Thompson-Okanagan) received the Gold in a time of 16:12.6, the silver medal went to Wyatt Bot (Zone 2 – Thompson-Okanagan) with a finishing time of 16:42.1, and Holden Wilson (Zone 5 – Vancouver-Coastal) got the bronze medal less than a second behind in 16:42.8 

In total, 10 female and 15 male athletes competed in this outdoor winter event.  

Despite earlier concerns that lack of snow would be an issue for participants, mother nature prevailed and provided some ground coverage for the cross-country skiing portion of the event. The target shooting component of the event took place at the new permanent biathlon range built specifically for the Games, which will remain as a fixed asset in the community and a part of the legacy of the Games in Quesnel.  

The medal ceremony for the biathlon is the first of 16 award ceremonies which will take place over the course of the Games between February 22 – 25 with roughly 1200 athletes anticipated to compete in Quesnel.  

“We’re excited to kick off the competition at Hallis Lake and this first competition using their new permanent range,” says Brian Balkwill, President of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games. “All of these athletes should be proud of themselves for getting here. I hope the community will join me in celebrating these athletes and taking in the competition throughout the Games!” 

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Contact: 

Amy Reid 
Public Relations Chair 
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games 
pr@bcwintergames.com

Ian Campbell – Sargeant-at-Arms and volunteer with the Logistics team

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Why did you decide to volunteer for the BC Winter Games?
I volunteered at previous Games in the Comox Valley and Quesnel and found it was very rewarding. Also, my daughter attended the BC Winter Games in Port Alberni and people just like us helped make it a memorable experience for her.

What motivates you to volunteer (generally)?
I like to help out in the community and its always great to meet new people.

What are you bringing to the BC Winter Games Team?
My previous working career dovetails nicely with the two areas I’m volunteering in: warehousing and also Sergeant-at-Arms.

How will you benefit from volunteering for the BC Winter Games?
The satisfaction of helping to make the Games here a success.

If someone was considering volunteering, what would you tell them to help them make their decision?
The commitment can be as big or as small as you want; a couple of hours, or a lot of hours. Your choice. You’ll be doing something good for the community plus maybe meeting some new people.

We’re reaching out to volunteers to share their reasons for signing up to help with the Games.
What’s your why? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story by emailing pr@bcwintergames.ca

Barkerville to host BC Games events

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Quesnel, BC – In order to improve racing conditions for biathlon and cross country skiing events, BC Games organizers have worked with Barkerville Historic Town & Park staff to organize a day of racing at the historic site on Saturday, February 24.

Grooming equipment from the Wells Snowmobile Club and Cariboo Ski Touring Club will be used to develop a track for skiers to use in sprint style events. Barkerville operations staff began work on the base of the track almost immediately after the decision was made to hold the event at the site. Troll Ski Resort has also loaned equipment to support the event.

There will be limited access to view the race along the course, but spectators may cheer on the athletes at the finish line. Participants will have the opportunity to explore Barkerville following the races and before the medal presentations and return to Quesnel.

Athletes, coaches, officials, and other volunteers will be bussed to the site. Warm-up will begin at 9:30 am, with a Welcome Ceremony in the staging area prior to the first qualifying events starting at 10:05 am. The day will wrap up with medal presentations at 3:30 pm. A full schedule is available on the BC Games website, under Spectator Information. www.bcwintergames.ca

Events at Hallis Lake are still scheduled to take place on February 22 – 23. The Cariboo Ski Touring Club has been taking advantage of the colder temperatures the week prior to the Games with snow making equipment to improve the base at that venue.

“This is an opportunity for the athletes to race in a truly unique venue,” says Brian Balkwill, Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games President. “Kudos to the Cross Country and Biathlon Sport Chairs for their out of the box thinking, and to the Provincial Sport Organizations for their commitment to the Games as we navigate this unseasonable weather. A big thank you to Barkerville for coming on board with the venue and helping hands.”

In order to ensure the safety of participants, staff, and volunteers, and maintain the integrity of the race course, there will be no access to Groundhog Lake through Barkerville on day of the event. Snowmobilers may use the Prosperine Trail.

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Media Contact:

Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
pr@bcwintergames.ca

Ronda Marceau – Volunteer host at sport venues

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Why did you decide to volunteer for the BC Winter Games?
I’m originally from Quesnel and I think the BC Winter Games are a great way to bring our community together and show how great Quesnel really is. It also inspires younger kids to try new activities.

What motivates you to volunteer (generally)?
By volunteering I not only get to meet new people, but often get to try new things.

What are you bringing to the BC Winter Games Team?
Dedication and hard work. Hopefully by volunteering I can influence my friends and family to volunteer for future events as well.

How will you benefit from volunteering for the BC Winter Games?
I will gain new experiences and hopefully get out and enjoy some of the events.

If someone was considering volunteering for the Games, what would you tell them to help them make their decision?
Any help would be greatly appreciated and there is a wide variety of tasks and roles that need filled. From working behind the scenes getting ready for the participants to arrive, to working in the middle of it all. Even if it’s just an hour or two, they could use your help.

We’re reaching out to volunteers to share their reasons for signing up to help with the Games.
What’s your why? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story by emailing pr@bcwintergames.ca

Celia Shutz – Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Digital Media Volunteer

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Why did you decide to volunteer for the BC Winter Games?
I decided to volunteer for Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games because I wanted to support my community with such a big event. It’s important to have lots of people helping out so the event will be a huge success.

What motivates you to volunteer (generally)?
Volunteering is a great way to gain new experiences, learn new skills and meet new people. When you volunteer you feel closer to your community.

What are you bringing to the BC Winter Games Team?
I’m bringing a positive mindset, a good work ethic and a fun spirit to the Games.

How will you benefit from volunteering for the BC Winter Games?
I’m hoping to learn some new skills by helping out with the media team. I think it’s also beneficial to work with others on a common goal.

If someone was considering volunteering for the Games, what would you tell them to help them make their decision?
Volunteering is a great way to get yourself out there and be around new people. It will be a positive and fulfilling experience and will make for some great memories. It’s an awesome way to support your community.

We’re reaching out to volunteers to share their reasons for signing up to help with the Games.
What’s your why? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story by emailing pr@bcwintergames.ca

Everything to know about the 2024 BC Winter Games

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The Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games are fast approaching and athletes are now registered to attend.

Learn everything you need to know about the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games using our Guide to the Games booklet, G2G Sessions, and Registration Key Dates Timeline.

More resources:

Guide to the Games

The Guide to the Games booklet for the BC Winter Games is now available for download.

The Guide is a document produced before each BC Winter and Summer Games designed to fill participants in on everything they need to know ahead of the Games. The booklet has information on accommodation, transportation, ceremonies, the host community, and more.

View the Guide to the Games

Guide to the Games (G2G) Sessions

Prior to the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games, online G2G Sessions open to athletes, coaches, officials, and parents provide an overview of what to expect at the Games.

The sessions are meant to help:

  • Increase understanding of the BC Games and the logistics of the Games.
  • Explore ways athletes can gain full benefit from their BC Games experience.
  • Provide specific information and tools to support preparation for the BC Games.
  • Provide practical information regarding their upcoming BC Games experience.
Register for G2G Session
G2G Register for a Session

Registration Key Dates

Get Involved

Territory Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, also known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and recognize that our work in this province spans the territories of more than 200 First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit communities.

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