Applications from athletes who would like to represent Team B.C. at the Halifax 2020 North American Indigenous Games are being accepted now by the Indigenous Sport Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I-SPARC).
Team B.C. will be made up of 520 indigenous athletes aged 13-19, coaches and staff from across the province. The event offers participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a major international sport competition, as well as to celebrate and share their cultural heritages with other youth from across the continent, according to a press release.
Currently, the sports accepting applications from athletes are archery, track and field and swimming. The deadline for swimming applications is Jan. 31, while applications for track and field are due by March 26, and archery applications are due by March 31.
In the near future, applications will open up for athletes wishing to participate in badminton, golf, rifle shooting and wrestling at the upcoming games.
Applications for athletes competing in the canoe/kayak, volleyball and lacrosse sports have closed, and selected individuals have been advanced to Team B.C. development squads, with final decisions as to who will represent B.C. in the games to be made in the spring.
The coaching staff from Team B.C. have already decided on their final rosters for their basketball and soccer teams, and decisions will be made for the final lineups on the softball and volleyball teams and are expected to be officially announced in the coming weeks.
The 2020 North American Indigenous Games will take place on July 12-19 in Halifax, N.S., within the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Games and the first time the multi-sport event has been held in Atlantic Canada.
The inspiration for the games was to improve the quality of life for indigenous peoples by supporting sports and cultural activities which encourage participation in the social, cultural and spiritual fabric of their local communities.
While the Games have grown over the years, the original vision for the event continues to hold strong.
“This is a great opportunity for our athletes to not only compete at an international competition in their sport but to also celebrate our cultural unity and pride,” NAIG Team B.C. Chef de Mission Lara Mussel Savage said in the release. “What makes NAIG unique is ensuring the connection between culture and sport in every aspect of the Games creating a powerful impact for all participants.”
Any athletes interested in competing for Team B.C. are encouraged to complete a formal online Expression of Interest application, which can be found, along with more information about athlete eligibility and the selection process, online at isparc.ca/performance-sport/teambcnaig2020.
READ MORE: Quesnel athlete wins indigenous athletics award
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