Sport is at the core of the BC Games
The Core Sport Policy outlines how sports are included in the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. It ensures the Games continue to reflect the BC Games Society’s commitment to athlete development, responsible sport delivery, and meaningful participation opportunities across British Columbia.
The policy is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of the BC Games Society and is guided by five key principles: dedicated, accountable, collaborative, evolving, and excellence. These principles shape how decisions are made and how the policy is applied.
The BC Games Society follows a structured and transparent process to evaluate, select, and confirm sports for inclusion in each BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
New Sports
New Sports
Approximately 27–32 months before each Games, the BC Games Society releases the Core Sport Policy for the BC Winter and BC Summer Games cycle that is two years beyond the current cycle. This includes a Call for Applications to all eligible Provincial and Disability Sport Organizations (PSO/DSOs). This call includes:
- Eligibility information
- Application timelines and submission instructions
- Information session for new sports
Sports not currently in the Games must submit a full application during the Call for Applications. These sports will be evaluated against the baseline and scored criteria outlined in this policy.
Existing Sports
Existing Sports
Sports already included in the Games do not need to reapply. These sports are evaluated by BC Games Society staff and the Sport Committee against the Core Sport Policy for the current Games cycle (e.g., sports at the 2026 BC Winter and BC Summer Games are evaluated against the Core Sport Policy for 2026).
If an existing sport wishes to propose a Major Change to its sport program, it must submit a Major Change Request Form. Major Changes are defined as any proposed change that would significantly affect event delivery or Games operations. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Adding a new event that significantly impacts minimum facility requirements,
- Changing athlete, coach, or official participant allocations,
- Adding a new sport or discipline governed by the same PSO/DSO,
Introducing competition for a gender not currently included in the Games.
The BC Games Society believes that the value of the BC Games extends beyond medal counts and sport-specific outcomes. The Games offer a unique platform for athlete and coach development, community connection, and legacy creation. This section outlines the guiding philosophy that shapes sport inclusion in the BC Games and reflects the Society’s broader goals for the provincial sport system.
Benefits of BC Games Participation
Participation in the BC Games provides an unparalleled opportunity for PSOs and DSOs to elevate their sport and contribute to athlete and coach development. Key benefits include:
Subsidized Multi-Sport Model
The BC Games are delivered through a subsidized model, minimizing financial barriers for participants. This includes meals, transportation, accommodation, and access to professionally organized competition.
Multi-Sport Games Experience
The BC Games introduce athletes, coaches, and officials to the unique environment of a multi-sport Games, preparing them for future experiences such as the Canada Games, North American Indigenous Games, and beyond.
Training Camp Environment
The Games simulate a high-performance training camp, fostering team building, mental preparation, and a deeper understanding of the demands of high-level competition. This includes the opportunity for coaches to work with their athletes in a controlled environment on and off the field of play. This experience takes place away from parents, offering athletes independence while ensuring a safe, supervised, and supportive environment.
Inclusion Principles
The BC Games Society is committed to creating an inclusive sport environment where all participants feel safe, welcome, and respected. Inclusion is a foundational principle that influences all sport selection and program delivery decisions. This includes:
Indigenous Inclusion
The BC Games provide an opportunity to create more culturally inclusive sport environments and increase Indigenous representation across athlete, coach, official, and volunteer roles. The Society encourages PSOs and DSOs to collaborate with Indigenous sport partners and integrate culturally appropriate practices. Sports are encouraged to contribute towards meaningful reconciliation by identifying opportunities for Indigenous participation within their sport.
Athletes with a Disability
The Games encourage the inclusion of athletes with physical, sensory, and/or intellectual disabilities within integrated or stand-alone events, recognizing the importance of accessible competition pathways.
Special Olympics
Sports governed by Special Olympics BC are valued partners in the Games, helping to model inclusive and meaningful competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Culture of the Games
The BC Games Society promotes positive sport culture through its Culture of the Games initiative. This framework emphasizes respect, integrity, fair play, and inclusivity, and applies to all participants. Sports are expected to reinforce these values both in preparation for and during the Games.
Maximizing the Games Experience
The Games are not just an endpoint; they are a launching pad. Sports that fully engage with the opportunities presented by the BC Games often realize long-term benefits across their sport.
Coach Development
The BC Games provide an opportunity to create more culturally inclusive sport environments and increase Indigenous representation across athlete, coach, official, and volunteer roles. The Society encourages PSOs and DSOs to collaborate with Indigenous sport partners and integrate culturally appropriate practices. Sports are encouraged to contribute towards meaningful reconciliation by identifying opportunities for Indigenous participation within their sport.
Officials and Mentorship
Officials gain valuable experience in a multi-sport setting, often with mentorship from more experienced officials and technical leaders.
Equipment and Facility Legacies
Many sports can access new or upgraded equipment through Games-related funding or legacies, benefiting the sport long after the event.