PRESTIGIOUS GOLF EVENT CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN CANADA IN JULY 2012

Halifax, NS - Halifax, Nova Scotia will host the TELUS World Skins Game for the first time in July 2012 as the popular golf event celebrates its 20th anniversary in Canada next summer. The world-class Glen Arbour Golf Course was announced today as the host site for the historic event that will see five top PGA TOUR professionals compete in the Canadian summer golf tradition July 29-31, 2012.

“The TELUS World Skins Game has a long history of visiting Canada’s top tourist and golf destinations and Halifax is the ideal city to host the 20th anniversary celebration of this important Canadian event,” said Gen. (Ret.) Rick Hillier, Chair of the TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board. “This marquee event not only provides a memorable opportunity for local golf fans to see some of the best players in the world compete in their own backyard, but it also allows TELUS to leave a significant charitable legacy in the Atlantic Canada community.”

The TELUS World Skins Game is always a highlight of the Canadian summer sporting schedule for the country's most passionate golf fans, as well as the community that hosts it. Fulfilling its promise to "give where we live," the TELUS World Skins Game has raised more than $10 million since 2001 for a wide variety of important causes across Canada.

The first Skins Game was held in 1993 at Devil’s Pulpit Golf Club in Caledon, Ontario, and during its 19-year history has seen some of the biggest names in professional golf compete at Canada’s top golf destinations, including Jack Nicklaus, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Mike Weir and Greg Norman.

“The 20th anniversary of the TELUS World Skins Game is an excellent opportunity to showcase Nova Scotia on the world stage,” said Percy Paris, Minister, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. “Major events such as these help to attract visitors to our province, build Nova Scotia’s tourism industry and grow our economy.”

Glen Arbour Golf Course is one of Atlantic Canada’s premiere golf destinations. Glen Arbour Golf Course is owned and operated by Annapolis Group Inc. a land development company whose roots dates back to the 1930’s, currently owned by the Hennigar Family, descendants of the late Roy Jodrey, the company’s founder. Since opening in 1999, Glen Arbour has played host to a number of prestigious golf events including the inaugural Wayne Gretzky and Friends Invitational in 2000 and the BMO Canadian Ladies Open in 2005.

“We have wanted to bring the event to Halifax for many years and we’re thrilled that the stars have aligned to allow us to come to Glen Arbour for this important anniversary event,” said Danny Fritz, vice president and co-managing director at IMG Canada. “We’re looking forward to celebrating this anniversary event with the golf fans of Nova Scotia and will be working over the next few months to make next summer’s TELUS World Skins Game a very memorable event.”

About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging:  IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art + Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing.  More information is available at www.imgworld.com.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.3 billion of annual revenue and 12.6 million customer connections including 7.2 million wireless subscribers, 3.6 million wireline network access lines, 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 450,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees will, by year-end 2011, have contributed $245 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.1 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS’ local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

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Media Contacts:
Dave Haggith
IMG Canada
Tel: (416) 629-6474
E-mail: dave.haggith@imgworld.com


Elisabeth Napolano
TELUS Media Relations
416-906-9830
Elisabeth.Napolano@telus.com
 

The economic impact assessment of the 2011 Canada Winter Games was released today by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA).  The Games were held in Halifax, N.S. from February 11-27th, 2011.

Click here for the report.

The Games received tremendous support from local residents through the efforts of the more than 5,000 volunteers and the support of nearly 14,000 spectators from the Halifax Regional Municipality.  In addition, with more than 11,500 visitors coming to the Province as participants or spectators at the Games, and in combination with the capital and operational expenditures, the total spending generated by the Games was $61.8 million. The resultant increase in net economic activity (GDP) was $58.3 million throughout the province, of which $34.9 million occurred in Halifax.  The total industry output (or gross economic activity) supported by the event was $131.0 million, supporting 1,112 jobs and $40.4 million in wages and salaries throughout the Province.

Tax revenues supported by spending associated with the Games totalled $22.4 million. The event brought federal government tax revenues of $10.5 million, and an additional $10 million in taxes to the province. Approximately $1.9 million in taxes was created in municipalities throughout Nova Scotia, including $1.2 million in Halifax.

"I'm very proud to report that the Games were a financial success," said Games Chairman Jean-Paul Deveau.  "It was vital to our board of directors that these Games leave a positive fiscal legacy. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, and the support of the community and province, we can look back on the 2011 Games as a success in every sense of the word."

The Games also leave behind a $200,000 surplus, to be added to the Games Legacy Fund, which will have a value of $1.5 million.

“Our Government is proud to have supported the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “These Games have given us a tremendous legacy, and by supporting them our Government delivered on its commitment to strengthen communities through sport and physical activity. The 2011 Canada Games have brought long-lasting and sustainable sport, social, cultural and economic benefits to Halifax and to Nova Scotia.”

"The 2011 Games have set the bar for putting on a world-class event while engaging the community and balancing the budget," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The legacy of these Games will continue to benefit Nova Scotians for years to come."

“The Games offered an opportunity for our municipality to shine thanks in large measure to the professionalism of the organizers and the enthusiasm of the many volunteers,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “To learn that the Games were also a financial success is wonderful way to cap the hosting experience.”

“Major events can be a catalyst for positive impacts for Canadian communities”, said Grant MacDonald, President of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. “The Halifax 2011 Canada Games showed the importance of measuring economic and other impacts. As the industry standard for sporting events in Canada, the STEAM model continues to allow host communities to evaluate the benefits to the economy. Sport tourism represents Canada’s fastest growing segment of the tourism industry and brought visitors to Nova Scotia in February who wouldn’t have otherwise visited Halifax.”

Quick facts: The Games helped boost the number of room nights sold in Nova Scotia by 16 per cent in February 2011 compared to 2010.  The Host Society exceeded its sponsorship target of $8.2 million and its ticket sales target of $1 million.  Attendance at sporting events was strong, with sold-out events at almost all Games venues. More than 400,000 people streamed Games action live on www.bellaliant.net. An estimated 50,000 people attended free concerts in Celebration Square at Grand Parade.

The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) conducted the economic impact analysis on behalf of Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada) and Events Nova Scotia. To conduct the assessment, the CSTA used STEAM PRO (Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model – Professional version), which measures the economic impact of a sport event on a community.

A total of 338 valid on-site surveys were conducted and collated at the competition venues, providing the survey results with a combined confidence interval of +/- 4.7%, 19 times out of 20.  The survey was conducted using the Techneos Entryware Pro System, which features the Entryware™ Designer software program for preparing the questionnaires as well as Entryware™ for Palm OS running on handheld PDA’s for data collection.

A copy of the economic impact report can be found online at www.canadiansporttourism.com

About CSTA
The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance is a tourism industry led organization that promotes sport tourism as an economic development initiative at the community level.  The CSTA services over 200 members across Canada, including 125 municipalities, 75 national sport, multi-sport and major games organizations and variety of other national and provincial sport and tourism industry partners.  Sport tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry with approximately $3.4 billion in annual spending by domestic travelers.
 

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Contact:

Rick Traer, Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance
613-688-5843

The Halifax 2011 Canada Games have broken another record. The February event generated more than $130 million in economic activity in Nova Scotia, created more than 1,100 jobs, and $40 million in wages and salaries.

More than 11,500 people visited Halifax for the Games.

Games Chairman Jean-Paul Deveau and Games CEO Chris Morrissey announced this today, July 5, at their final presentation to HRM Council.

"I'm very proud to report that the Games were a financial success," said Mr. Deveau. "It was vital to our board of directors that these Games leave a positive fiscal legacy. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, and the support of the community and province, we can look back on the 2011 Games as a success in every sense of the word."

The Games also leave behind a $200,000 surplus, to be added to the Games Legacy Fund, which will have a value of $1.5 million.

“Our Government is proud to have supported the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “These Games have given us a tremendous legacy, and by supporting them our Government delivered on its commitment to strengthen communities through sport and physical activity. The 2011 Canada Games have brought long-lasting and sustainable sport, social, cultural and economic benefits to Halifax and to Nova Scotia.”

The event brought federal government tax revenues of $10.5 million, and an additional $10 million in taxes to the province. About $1.9 million in taxes was created in municipalities throughout the province, including $1.2 million in HRM.

"The 2011 Games have set the bar for putting on a world-class event while engaging the community and balancing the budget," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The legacy of these Games will continue to benefit Nova Scotians for years to come."
 
As part of the Games' legacy, the Host Society will give three refrigeration units to the Halifax Regional Municipality to help the Canada Games Oval become permanent on the Halifax Common. In exchange, HRM will ensure dedicated training time for high-performance athletes on the 400-metre oval, and has committed to hosting annual Canada Games Days to commemorate the 2011 Games.

“The Games offered an opportunity for our municipality to shine thanks in large measure to the professionalism of the organizers and the enthusiasm of the many volunteers,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “To learn that the Games were also a financial success is wonderful way to cap the hosting experience.”

"The success of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games helped produce the largest economic impact in the history of the Canada Games," said Canada Games council chair Tom Quinn. "The infrastructure and the financial surplus will have a tremendous impact on the community and will creating lasting legacies for generations to come."

The Games helped boost the number of room nights sold in Nova Scotia by 16 per cent in February 2011 compared to 2010.

The Host Society exceeded its sponsorship target of $8.2 million and its ticket sales target of $1 million.

Attendance at sporting events was strong, with sold-out events at almost all Games venues. More than 400,000 people streamed Games action live on www.bellaliant.net. An estimated 50,000 people attended free concerts in Celebration Square at Grand Parade.

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LINKS:

Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) Economic Impact Assessment for the 2011 Halifax Canada Games

Final Corporate Report for the 2011 Halifax Canada Games

Official media release from Canada Games website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2011

Halifax, NS – Yarmouth, Nova Scotia has been officially awarded the 2012 World Junior A Challenge by Hockey Canada. The event will take place November 5-11, 2012 at the Mariners Centre. The Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners Hockey Club will work with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Town of Yarmouth, Municipality of Yarmouth, Municipality of Argyle, Yarmouth Minor Hockey Association, Hockey Nova Scotia and Events Nova Scotia to host the international event.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on behalf of our team and our community and I want to thank everyone who has helped us in this effort,” said Mitch Bonnar, president of the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners. “But, this is only the beginning. We look forward to putting our best foot forward and to hosting a World Junior A Challenge the way only this community can. ”

“Our community is not only proud to be hosting this prestigious event, but we are also looking forward to sharing our culture and our way of life with all the participants and visitors to our region,” said Phil Mooney, mayor of the Town of Yarmouth.

“Canada’s Junior A leagues continue to develop world-class players, and the 2012 World Junior A Challenge will be a terrific showcase for that talent,” said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. “We are excited to work with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Yarmouth Jr A Mariners Hockey Club and numerous local groups on another World Junior A Challenge and continue the growth of the event.”

The 2012 World Junior A Challenge will follow the same format as previous years – two Canadian entries will be joined by four international teams, with two groups of three teams. The group winners will receive an automatic bye to the semifinals, while the second and third place teams will crossover for the quarter-finals. Over 800 players, coaches, Hockey Canada staff, media, scouts, Canadian Junior Hockey League officials, friends and family will descend upon the region during the event.
 

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For more information:

Wayne Hamilton                         
(902) 740-0035                             
whamilton@tri-star.ca   

Mayor Phil Mooney
Town of Yarmouth   
(902) 742-2521
mayor.mooney@townofyarmouth.ca

Riley Wiwchar
Hockey Canada   
(403) 777-3614
rwiwchar@hockeycanada.ca                 
                         

May 3, 2011 (Ottawa) - Grant MacDonald of Halifax, Nova Scotia was elected President of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance at meetings held in conjunction with Sport Events Congress last week in Ottawa.  MacDonald is Director of Major Events and Community Partnerships with Events Nova Scotia.

Rob Kawamoto (Tourism Toronto) was elected Vice President and Wayne Long (City of Charlottetown) will serve as Treasurer.  Cheryl Finn (Tourism London), Sandra Gage (Canadian Soccer Association) and Denis Paquet (Ville de Québec) were elected to the Board for two year terms.  They join Eric Pilote (Québec Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport) and Stephen Hollingshead (Tourism Sault Ste. Marie) on the Board of Directors. Janet Gates remains on the Board as Past President.
 
“Since its inception in 2000, CSTA has promoted sport tourism by providing leadership, expertise, training and the development of leading edge industry tools required to ensure a high standard of performance by our industry,” stated Grant MacDonald, CSTA President.  “I look forward to helping CSTA continue to enhance its leadership role by engaging members and stakeholder groups in the implementation of an effective action plan that will build sport event hosting capacity in communities across Canada.”

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About CSTA

The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) is a tourism industry led organization that promotes sport tourism as an economic development initiative at the community level.
The CSTA services more than 200 members across Canada, including 115 municipalities, 55 national sport, multi-sport and major games organizations, as well as a variety of other national and provincial sport and tourism industry partners.


Contact:

Grant MacDonald, President                     Rick Traer, CEO
(902) 421-7004                                         (613) 688-5843



L’ACTS annonce la composition de son conseil d’administration 2011-2012

Le 3 mai 2011 (Ottawa) - Grant MacDonald, d’Halifax, a été élu président de l’Alliance canadienne du tourisme sportif lors de son assemblée générale annuelle qui se tenait dans le cadre du Congrès des événements sportifs la semaine dernière à Ottawa. Grant MacDonald est le directeur des événements majeurs et des partenariats communautaires à Events Nova Scotia.

Rob Kawamoto (Tourisme Toronto) a été élu vice-président et Wayne Long (Ville de Charlottetown) agira comme trésorier. Cheryl Finn (Tourisme London), Sandra Gage (Association canadienne de soccer) et Denis Paquet (Ville de Québec) ont été élus membres du conseil pour un mandat de deux ans. Ils se joignent à Éric Pilote (ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec) et Stephen Hollingshead (Tourisme Sault-Ste-Marie) au conseil d’administration. Janet Gates demeure au conseil à titre d’ancienne présidente.
 
« Depuis ses débuts en 2000, l’ACTS fait la promotion du tourisme sportif en fournissant le leadership, l’expertise, la formation et l’élaboration d’outils de pointe de l’industrie nécessaires à l’atteinte de normes élevées de performance pour notre industrie », a déclaré Grant MacDonald, le nouveau président de l’ACTS. « L’ACTS va continuer d’accroître son rôle de leadership en engageant ses membres et les groupes d’intervenants à mettre en œuvre un plan d’action efficace en vue de développer la capacité d’accueil d’événements sportifs dans les collectivités partout au Canada. »

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À propos de l’ACTS

L’Alliance canadienne du tourisme sportif (ACTS) est un organisme animé par l’industrie touristique qui fait la promotion du tourisme sportif comme initiative de développement économique au niveau de la collectivité. L’ACTS offre des services à plus de 200 membres au Canada, dont 115 municipalités, 55 organismes nationaux unisports, multisports et de jeux majeurs, ainsi qu’une variété d’autres partenaires nationaux et provinciaux du sport et de l’industrie touristique.


Source :

Grant MacDonald, président                   Rick Traer, directeur général
(902) 421-7004                                      (613) 688-5843

The Canadian Soccer Association has been successful in its bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ - the premier women’s sporting event in the world.  The announcement was made today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland by President Joseph S. Blatter following the FIFA Executive Committee meeting.

“We would like to thank FIFA for entrusting the Canadian Soccer Association with this prestigious event,” commented Canadian Soccer Association President, Dr. Dominic Maestracci.  He added that “we are committed to the growth of women’s soccer both in Canada and internationally and anticipate that this event will be another successful FIFA competition that will have a lasting impact on the sport in this country.”

“On behalf of the Government of Canada I wish to congratulate the Canadian Soccer Association on its successful bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014” said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport).  “Canadians will once again welcome the world to cities across the country as we watch and cheer our National Team at the highest level of competition. The Government of Canada is proud to be a key supporter of Canada’s bid and we look forward to watching our team compete with the world’s best.”  The Government of Canada through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program has committed up to $15-million in operating costs to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014. 

The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is hosted every four years, with the next event scheduled from 26 June to 17 July 2011 in Germany. For 2015, the event will expand from 16 to 24 participating countries and from 32 to 52 matches. As it is the new practice, the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ host nation will also host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in the preceding year, so both the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ are awarded together to the same host nation.

“The successful bid would not have been possible without support from all levels of government and we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the role that they have played in our successful bid,” acknowledged Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary, Peter Montopoli.  “In particular, the Government of Canada has been a key partner from the onset of the bid process along with the respective provincial and municipal governments.”

In November 2010, the Association welcomed participants to bid information sessions to provide information for potential host cities of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™.  In total, seven Candidate Bid Cities were able to commit to being included within the bid submission:  Vancouver, BC, Edmonton, AB, Winnipeg, MB Ottawa, ON, Montreal, QC, Halifax, NS and Moncton, NB. The Canadian Soccer Association formally submitted its Bid Book to FIFA on February 11, 2011 after working closely with all levels of government and the Candidate Bid Cities to prepare the bid documents.

The Canadian Soccer Association will now work closely with the Candidate Bid Cities over the coming months to prepare for FIFA’s initial site inspections which are expected to occur in the fall. Official Host Cities will be announced some time following the site inspections after a thorough review by FIFA.

Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Peter Kelly welcomed the news.

“We are thrilled for the Canadian Soccer Association. We’ll now turn our attention to keeping this momentum going as we work with the Canadian Soccer Association to put all the pieces in place to be able to act as an Official Host City."

Grant MacDonald, Director of Major Events and Community Partnerships for Events Nova Scotia, said HRM has a proven hosting track record that has prepared the municipality well.

“Halifax has a strong tradition of hosting international sporting events and we are confident in our bid to become an Official Host City for the Women’s World Cup,” said MacDonald. “We will continue to work closely the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Canadian Soccer Association to ensure that Halifax is a leading candidate for host city selection.”

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris commended the Canadian Soccer Association.

"Our hats are off to the Canadian Soccer Association and their success in attracting the Women's World Cup to our country," said Minister Paris. "The 2011 Halifax Canada Winter Games was a world-class event and we will continue to work hard to attract events that allow our province to showcase our many tourism attractions and business opportunities to the world."

The Canadian Soccer Association has a strong history of hosting FIFA events, starting with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Canada 1987. Canada has since hosted the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2002 (inaugural event) and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The record-setting 2007 event attracted close to 1.2 million spectators to the 52 matches and generated an estimated $259 million in economic activity across Canada. It delivered an excellent return for the government at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, supporting more than $43 million in taxes at those three levels.

In Canada, roughly 43% of all registered players are women, twice as much as it was eight years ago when Canada hosted the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2002. Canada has also enjoyed success on the international stage, winning CONCACAF women’s championships in all three age categories since 2008. Those three titles were the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier (which qualified Canada for its fifth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup™), the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, and the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship.

The Canadian Soccer Association, in partnership with its members and all its corporate partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. The Canadian Soccer Association not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but it also encourages Canadians towards a life-long passion for soccer.

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Canadian Soccer Association welcomes Government of Canada's support for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™

The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed today that the Government of Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program has committed up to $15-million to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™ and the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup if Canada is successful in its current bid process to host the largest women's sporting event in the world.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to support the Canadian Soccer Association's bid for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). "Soccer participation in communities across Canada has grown steadily from year to year while interest and pride in our national teams is at an all-time high. We look forward to working with the Canadian Soccer Association to support a successful bid process."

Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli said, "the Association would like to thank the Government of Canada for this outstanding support which is critical to our efforts in securing the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™. On the heels of hosting a record-breaking FIFA tournament in 2007, Canada wants to invite the world back for the premier women's football event in 2015. We would like to recognize the key role of the Government of Canada in helping us move closer to us reaching this goal."

Canada is currently preparing its Bid Book to present to FIFA by 11 February 2011. In November 2010, the Association welcomed participants to bid information sessions to provide information for potential host cities of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™. The Canadian Soccer Association is working closely with the federal, provincial and municipal governments to provide necessary information to ensure a successful bid is forwarded to FIFA.

The FIFA Women's World Cup™ is hosted every four years, with the next event scheduled from 26 June to 17 July 2011 in Germany. For 2015, the event will expand from 16 to 24 participating countries and from 32 to 52 matches. As it is the new practice, the FIFA Women's World Cup™ host nation will also host the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in the preceding year, so both the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup™ are awarded together to the same nation.

Canada has a strong history of hosting FIFA events, starting with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Canada 1987. Canada has since hosted the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2002 (inaugural event) and the record-setting FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, attracting close to 1.2-million spectators to the 52 matches and generating an estimated $259-million in economic activity. It delivered an excellent return for the government at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, supporting more than $43-million in taxes at those three levels.

Canada has also enjoyed success on the international stage, winning CONCACAF women's championships in all three age categories since 2008. Those three titles were the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifier (which qualified Canada for its fifth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup™), the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship, and the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship.

 

SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has won the right to host the 2012 edition of the Canada 55+
Games.
 

The bid was a joint venture between the municipality and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. The steering committee
made its pitch to the Canadian Senior Games Association, the body that oversees the Games, Tuesday afternoon in
Halifax.

“The rationale behind it is to showcase the community,” said CBRM recreation manager Frank Bruleigh. “We’ve hosted
lots of national and international events before. We spoke to them about Celtic Colours, the Canada Games, the Coal
Bowl each year. The past four years, the municipality has worked in conjunction with ECBC to do the tall ships and
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, we’ve done the programming for that. In addition to the Vince Ryan tournament
and the fact that Cape Breton is a good community for volunteers.

“The other issue is promotion of active and healthy lifestyle in particular for an aging population, which is what we
have.”

Sports at the event include bowling, 5-km and 10-km running, pool, badminton, curling, darts, floor shuffleboard, golf,
hockey, horseshoes, lawn bowling, slopitch, swimming, table tennis, tennis and track and field. Recreational events are
represented as well, with contract bridge, duplicate bridge and Scrabble also making an appearance.

The Games, although competitive, are also intended to promote camaraderie and activity among older adults.
“I think it’ll be an exciting time,” said Carl (Bucky) Buchanan, who helped prepare the bid with Tony Martin. “There will
be people from all over the country and there’s roughly 30 different sports that’ll be played. Some very active and
others more passive, but a wide variety.”

Bruleigh said they’re expecting up to 2,000 participants at the event over the four-day period in late August. The CBRM
will be contributing $100,000 to the Games, with ECBC contributing an estimated $150,000 and the province chipping
in an estimated $70,000. Athlete registration fees will contribute $150,000, with the remainder of the revenue coming
from corporate funding and gifts in kind/services.

Bruleigh estimated the economic impact for the area will be from $1.75 million to $2 million.

“It provides us with an opportunity — it’s been 25 years since the Canada Games which we had 6,000-plus volunteers
— to bring up some new people and restock the bank of volunteers that we need. Hopefully, we’ll have people from
Cape Breton get involved in this as participants.”

Events Nova Scotia is proud to have helped CBRM and the bid committee in their efforts to bring these games to Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Congratulations!

Media Release from Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

September 21, 2010

Sydney, NS – The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles are officially launching their bid for the 2012 Memorial Cup in front of their fans at this Friday’s season home opener.  The bid process for this prestigious Canadian Hockey League championship tournament is very detailed and strong, enthusiastic community support is a major factor in determining the successful host city. The Screaming Eagles encourage all of their fans and hockey fans in general to come out to the game and show their support of the 2012 Memorial Cup bid.

“The launch is really about showing the community what the Memorial Cup bid entails, how they can help and to keep them informed every step of the way,” said Paul MacDonald, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles President. “We would not be in a position to even bid for this event if not for the great support we have received for the past 13 seasons. This is a way to bring the best major junior hockey our country has to offer to our Cape Breton hockey fans. This is an Island-wide initiative.” 

“We are really putting an effort forward to show the bid selection committee that Cape Breton is the best choice for 2012. With help from local sponsors and community partners and most importantly, the local fans, we are confident we will put together a top-notch bid package,” said Stuart MacLeod, chair of the board, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. “Through collaboration on projects like this we are bringing positive attention to the Island and that is great news for all involved.”

The Memorial Cup has been awarded since 1919, making it one of Canada’s oldest sports trophies. The Memorial Cup was dedicated to the memory of those soldiers who fought and died for Canada in World War 1. It was rededicated last year in Brandon, MB to honour all Canadian soldiers who died in any conflict. 

Since 1983, the Memorial Cup has included the host team, plus the champions from the three CHL leagues - the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The Memorial Cup tournament is rotated each year between leagues, with the Quebec Major Hockey League hosting again in 2012.

Fans are asked to show their support by attending the game. Everyone in attendance will receive information on the Memorial Cup 2012 bid as well as a sign they can wave at the game and take home to show their support.

The home opener will see the Eagles face-off against the PEI Rocket. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at the Centre 200 Box Office or on-line at ticketscapebreton.ca. Eastlink will broadcast the game live.

Please come out to support the Eagles as they start the 2010-2011 season and launch their bid to host the 2012 Memorial Cup.  

 

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For more information contact:
Paul MacDonald
President
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
P: (902) 567-6378
E: paul.macdonald@capebretoneagles.com

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For more information:
 
John MacDonald
Director, Athletics and Recreational Services
Dalhousie University
Phone: (902) 494-2542
Email: john.j.macdonald@dal.ca
 
Pete Belliveau
Head Coach, Men’s Hockey
Dalhousie University
Phone: (902) 494-8880
Email: coachpb@dal.ca

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia --- The Canoe ‘09 Organizing Committee has announced a significant cash legacy for Atlantic Canadian paddlers, from the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships (Canoe ’09).

The Championship was held this past August in Dartmouth. More than 1,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 59 countries took part in the event that was viewed live on television by more than 60 million people. Now, Canoe ‘09 has determined it will leave $880,000.00 to the Bell Aliant Legacy Fund that will inspire young people and help shape the next generation of world and Olympic champion paddlers.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide this investment to Canoe/Kayak's Atlantic Division," said Chris Keevill, Chair of Canoe ‘09. "The community supported Canoe ‘09 and helped us stage a world-class event, now it’s time to give back to that community. Our paddlers already perform at a very high level, now we can take it up another notch."

More than 100 Nova Scotia athletes are in Florida, working hard to prepare for upcoming competitions. Among those is Olympian Andrew Russell, from Dartmouth’s Banook Canoe Club.

Russell said he was excited to hear about the financial legacy.

"I think the future is very bright for our sport," said Russell. "Over the last few years, the attention to our sport has been extremely positive, and great strides are being made so that Nova Scotia will continue to produce top-level canoe and kayak athletes."

Mike Kerrivan, head coach for Cheema Racing and leading a Florida training camp of 33 developing athletes, age 14 to 19, said this money is a solid investment in canoe kayak athletes who sacrifice so much for the love of the sport and the pursuit of excellence.

"The athletes in camp all have aspirations of making the national team some day," said Kerrivan. "They put their social lives on hold. They are willing to work like no others on their academics just to get in more training. Even at such a young age, they know what they want and are willing to do whatever it takes. Further funding will help our athletes from small towns like Waverley compete on the world stage"

Canoe ‘09 has also infused new life into Lake Banook. Improvements include a new underwater grid system on the course as well as new abutments and 800 new buoys. Canoe/Kayak Atlantic Division will also inherit two new starting systems, a scoreboard, photo-finishing equipment, umpire boats and docks. The infrastructure improvements total 2.5 million dollars.

Keevill said there are many people who share in the credit for continuing to develop the sport.

“Thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and supporters of Canoe ‘09 who can be proud of this legacy from the largest international sporting event yet held in Atlantic Canada.”

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Media Contact

Stacey Jones-Oxner
Volunteer Communications Chair Canoe ‘09
902-424-4163

San Francisco, California—Just before midday local time and with the sun breaking through the clouds to herald the yacht’s arrival, the eagle of Cape Breton Island came swooping under the Golden Gate Bridge as the Canadian entry arrived victorious in to San Francisco. With their spinnaker billowing out before them, the team, which promotes the Canadian Island of Cape Breton as ‘Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece’, has claimed their second line honours of the 35,000-mile Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, crossing the Noonday Rock finish line near the North Farallone Islands at 0725 local time (1425 GMT).

Skipper Jan Ridd, who hails from Dorset in the UK, has done an exemplary job in leading his team of non-professional sailors, representing all walks of life, across the largest ocean on the planet.

“I’m relieved to be here as it was a long and hard race,” says Jan. “Coming into San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge was an amazing arrival and we’re all feeling extremely happy right now.

“The hardest part of the race for me personally wasn’t the Pacific crossing but sailing through the Yellow Sea. The water was relatively shallow, there was lots of shipping and some crazy fishermen! Once we’d past Japan, we then had our first storm which tested the crew and gave them a taste of what was to come.

“After a couple of days respite a massive depression then formed behind us. Fortunately we were far enough ahead to outrun the worst of it – although some of the other teams weren’t so lucky and consequently suffered a fair amount of damage.

“We still had three or four days of very heavy weather with winds reaching 60 to 70 knots but luckily managed to come out the other side with very little damage. Most of the crew felt confident in the boat and the way they were sailing and didn’t feel scared, even though they were regularly getting knocked over by waves crashing across the decks every ten minutes.

“The last couple of days have provided some fantastic sailing conditions and we’ve had a great run into San Francisco.”

Cape Breton Island finishes Race 7 from Qingdao, China, more than 500 nautical miles ahead of their nearest competitors, with Jamaica Lightning Bolt and Qingdao currently fighting it out to be second over the line. Jamaica Lightning Bolt has been awarded a redress of 32 hours 15 minutes by the Race Committee for the assistance they gave to California, after the team lost their mast 20 days into the North Pacific leg. Once deducted from their finish time the Caribbean entry stands a good chance of denying the Chinese team their best result of the race so far.

It has certainly been an eventful and challenging race for all the crews taking part and Cape Breton Island resident and round the world crew member, Elisa Jenkins, summed it up saying, “Despite being the most bitter cold and wet conditions I have ever sailed in, it has actually been one of my most enjoyable legs so far. I think it’s because it was so challenging and that’s why we’re here. We certainly faced every type of weather you can imagine out there and seen some of the worst seas that we’ve seen in the entire Clipper Race. I therefore feel a huge sense of accomplishment for having completed this leg.”

The 31-year-old physiotherapist went on to say, “We’re all really pleased to be here. As you know we’re a few hundred miles ahead of the rest of the fleet and we are missing the competition and the rivalry of having them here with us. Although we are happy to be here we are still thinking of our comrades who are out at sea right now and hope that the remainder of their race is a safe one.”

Cape Breton Island has been entered into Clipper 09-10 to raise the profile of this part of north east Canada – voted one of the world’s most beautiful islands by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine. The aim is not only to boost tourism, but also to promote trade opportunities including local seafood, to attract students to Cape Breton University and to promote immigration to the island. Next week a large delegation from Cape Breton Island will be in the Bay area for several days alongside the Clipper Race stopover, showcasing leading hi-tech and innovative businesses, as well as sharing some home grown musical talent and famous Atlantic Canada seafood at a special reception to be held at the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Guests will also get a chance to sail on board Cape Breton Island.

The Clipper 09-10 Race started from the Humber on the north east coast of England on 13 September 2009 and will return to there on 17 July 2010. It is the only event in the world where people from all walks of life can take on the challenge of a lifetime and race around the globe on stripped down 68-foot ocean racing yachts.

ENDS

About the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on 13 September from the Humber on the UK’s east coast and return there in July 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing. No previous sailing experience is required to take part as full training is provided. More than 40 nationalities an 230 professions are represented by crew competing in Clipper 09-10. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs. The overall race is divided into individual races and points are accumulated according to each individual race position. The yacht with the highest total at the finish wins the race trophy.

Standings after Race 7 Scoring Gate Points
1 Spirit of Australia 60
2 Team Finland 50
3 Jamaica Lightning Bolt * 50
4 Cape Breton 43
5 Hull & Humber 37
6 Uniquely Singapore 33
7 Qingdao 28
8 Cork 23
9 California 19
10 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 18

For further information log onto www.clipperroundtheworld.com

For media information or interviews please contact:

Zoe Williamson, Communications Manager (in San Francisco, USA, GMT -7)
Local Mobile: +1 415 7286140
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7793 417 751
Email: zwilliamson@clipper-ventures.com

Heather Ewing, Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7792 408 695
Tel: +44 (0) 2392 526000
Email: hewing@clipper-ventures.com
 

EVENTS NOVA SCOTIA CONNECTS COMMUNITIES WITH TWO-DAY SPOTLIGHTING OPPORTUNITIES EVENT

March 9, 2010
Halifax, NS—Delegates from sport, cultural and entertainment sectors from all provincial regions and several municipalities gathered March 8 and 9 to exchange knowledge about bidding on and hosting large-scale events in their communities. Events Nova Scotia hosted the inaugural Spotlighting Opportunities event at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront and also launched its new website, www.eventsnovascotia.com.

The two-day meeting signaled the official start of Events Nova Scotia’s drive to identify and attract new major events to the province of Nova Scotia. The event highlighted strategies around making bids and shared community success stories.

“We will be selling Nova Scotia as an event destination, so we are reinforcing to the world that we’re open for business,” said Grant MacDonald, Director of Trade Centre Limited (TCL) Major Events and Community Partnerships. “Events Nova Scotia is all about our entire province working together, in the spirit of collaboration, such as what we’re doing here this week.”

TCL is leading the project, working in coordination with Nova Scotia Regional Development Authorities, provincial sport organizations, tourism and cultural groups. Funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Events Nova Scotia will focus on attracting new events in the sporting, cultural and entertainment sectors.

Click here to view the PDF version

EVENTS NOVA SCOTIA LAUNCHES WEBSITE

March 8, 2010
Halifax, NS—Events Nova Scotia has officially launched www.eventsnovascotia.com, at the start of a two-day event entitled Spotlighting Opportunities, being held at the Halifax Marriott Harbourtfront today and tomorrow. Approximately 40 participants from the sport, cultural and entertainment sectors from all areas of the province are participating in this gathering, signaling the start of Events Nova Scotia’s mandate to identify and attract new major events to the province of Nova Scotia.

“We wholeheartedly thank our two funding partners, ACOA and the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage,” said Grant MacDonald, Director of Trade Centre Limited (TCL) Major Events and Community Partnerships. “This heralds the start of a new, strategic approach to helping build an event economy within this beautiful stage we call home: Nova Scotia. We look forward to working with all communities who want to attract, bid for and host major events.”

TCL will lead the project, working in coordination with Nova Scotia Regional Development Authorities, provincial sport organizations, the tourism sector and cultural groups. Events Nova Scotia will focus on attracting new events in the sporting, cultural and entertainment sectors.

For more information, contact:

Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons
Manager, Marketing & Communications
P. (902) 421-7002
M. (902) 440-5531
fiona@eventsnovascotia.com

Events Nova Scotia Backgrounder

Overview
• Events Nova Scotia was created in order to enhance Nova Scotia’s ability to successfully bid for and host major events. Through a coordinated approach, Events Nova Scotia has a mandate to identify and attract new major events to the province of Nova Scotia.
• Events Nova Scotia is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ($300,000) and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage ($300,000).
• An advisory council that represents all regions of the province will be established to provide input into the direction of Events Nova Scotia.
• The purpose of Events Nova Scotia is to:
  • Identify key event sectors to target and develop tactical plans to attract and host new major events business.
  • Establish standards and baseline measures to consistently evaluate the economic return generated by major events.
  • Facilitate the sharing of industry best practices to bid for and host major events.
  • Develop and implement a marketing strategy to uniquely position Nova Scotia as a major event destination.

Major Events

• While the term “major events” has broad meaning, the following criteria will be used by Events Nova Scotia to define major events:
• Audience reach significantly beyond the scope of the host market or community;
• The ability to attract participation from a wide area;
• A natural ability to attract media coverage;
• The ability to generate economic and other impacts that are greater than the initial investment;
• Serves as a catalyst for the development of additional spinoff activity;
• Requires the use of significant physical infrastructure;
• Has a measureable impact on the brand and reputation of the host community; and,
• Provides lasting legacies such as programming and infrastructure.
• Events Nova Scotia will focus on attracting new events in the sporting, cultural and entertainment sectors.

Click here to view PDF version

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND NOVA SCOTIA INVEST IN NEW MAJOR EVENTS INITIATIVE FOR NOVA SCOTIAN COMMUNITIES
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the Honorable Percy Paris, Nova Scotia Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, today announced that the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are investing $600,000 to help all Nova Scotia communities target, attract and host major events.

Under the brand Events Nova Scotia, the project will be implemented by Trade Centre Limited (TCL) in coordination with Nova Scotia Regional Development Authorities, as well as provincial cultural, sport and tourism organizations.

“The Government of Canada's priority is the economy and that's reflected in our investments in community infrastructure and facilities throughout Nova Scotia,” said Minister MacKay. “Building our ability to host major sporting, cultural, entertainment and business events helps communities to showcase their facilities and attract more visitors to Nova Scotia.”

“Major events help Nova Scotia remain competitive as a visitor destination and bring tangible benefits through economic activity and tax revenues,” said Minister Paris.
“Hosting major events is key to the sustainable growth of Nova Scotia’s economy – generating jobs and tax revenue for the benefit of all Nova Scotians,” said Scott Ferguson, President and CEO of TCL. “Events Nova Scotia will strengthen our ability to compete for major events and we look forward to working with communities across the province to do so.”

Events Nova Scotia will identify key event sectors to target and develop strategies to attract new events from these sectors; establish consistent measures to evaluate the economic return generated by major events; and, share best practices in order to build major event hosting expertise across the province. Events could include sporting, cultural, entertainment and business opportunities.

Funding for the initiative is provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). ($300,000), and Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage ($300,000).

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the Honourable Percy Paris, Nova Scotia Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, today announced that the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are investing $600,000 to help Nova Scotia communities target, attract and host new major events.

The project will be branded as Events Nova Scotia, and led by Trade Centre Limited in consultation with Nova Scotia Regional Development Authorities, as well as provincial cultural, sport and tourism organizations.

Click here to view the PDF version.