News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS608) -->> SPORT/RECREATION--1997 CANADA GAMES MISSION STAFF SPORT/RECREATION--1997 CANADA GAMES MISSION STAFF ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sport and Recreation Minister Jay Abbass has announced the mission staff for the 1997 Canada Games in Brandon, Manitoba, Aug. 9-23. Mr. Abbass said the staff is an excellent combination of people who have Canada Games experience and some joining the team for the first time. "It is essential to have experience on the mission staff team to address the necessary details. At the same time, I believe recruiting those who are new to the games will give us a fresh outlook," said Mr. Abbass. "I know the Canada Games management group had a difficult time in choosing the mission staff, but I am sure the team that has been put together will give all of its energy to make this a successful journey to Brandon for everyone." The following are members of the mission staff: Chef de mission is Nancy Spencer of Halifax. Nancy has an extensive background in the Canada Games. She was the assistant chef de mission for the 1995 Canada Games and was a member of the mission staff in 1993. Nancy was also the manager of the men's and women's squash teams in 1991. Nancy is a part-time lecturer at Mount Saint Vincent University and is an education consultant in the Atlantic Provinces. The assistant chef de mission is Bruce Chiasson of Fall River. He was a member of the Canadian National Canoe Team from 1981 to 1986. Since then he has been the manager of the 1996 Canadian Olympic canoe team and served as manager for the 1994 and 1995 senior World Canoe Championships. Mr. Chiasson is familiar with the Canada Games having served as manager and team leader of the provincial team in 1993. Acting as communications advisor for the games is John Whidden of Communications Nova Scotia. Mr. Whidden's background includes both broadcast and print media. He assisted in planning for the 1993 Canada Games and was involved in supplying provincial media with results of the Winter Games two years ago. He is a resident of Halifax. Michael Bell, Dartmouth, has been involved in softball and basketball for the past 18 years. He coached the 1993 women's Canada Games softball team, and for the past two summers has been an assistant coach with the 1997 women's Canada Games basketball core team. Mr. Bell also coaches the women's basketball team at Dartmouth High School. He has been recognized for his contributions to sport by being named Basketball Nova Scotia Coach of the Year in 1995, Softball Nova Scotia - 3M Female Coach of the Year, 1992, and Sport Nova Scotia Volunteer of the Year, 1991. A graduate of Dalhousie University, Linda Chiasson of Fall River is a newcomer to the Canada Games mission staff. She has been involved in ice skating as both a competitor and coach. In 1979 and 1980 she competed nationally. Ms. Chiasson has been the recreational administrator and head coach at the Dartmouth Figure 8's Skating Club since 1992. Anita DeLazzer of Sydney is bringing her extensive skills as an organizer to the mission staff. As a member of the 1987 Canada Games staff she helped to implement the entire communications, security, transportation, maintenance and ticket sales network for the games. Joanne Lebans, Yarmouth, is a novice to Canada Games experience but her involvement in sport as a participant, coach and organizer is extensive. Ms. Lebans is the assistant recreation coordinator with the Municipality of Argyle. As a prelude to her involvement in the Canada Games, she served as assistant chef de mission for Nova Scotia at the 17th Acadian Games in Saint John, N.B. this past year. Ed Matchett, New Germany, is back on familiar ground with his involvement in the 1997 Canada Games. Mr. Matchett was the manager of the 1991 and 1995 Canada Games fencing teams. It was at the 1991 games that he coined a phrase used by the then federal minister of sport in his closing marks: "The gold is in the experience not in the medal." He now coaches fencing in Bridgewater and Lunenburg. Skiing and biking are two main interests of Linda Murray. The Dingwall area resident was manager of the 1995 provincial cross-country ski team and was protocol and ceremony coordinator at the cross-country ski venue at the 1987 Canada Games. Ms. Murray has served on the executives of Nordic Ski Nova Scotia and the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. She has served as chief of Race Cape North, part of the Cape Breton Mountain Bike series. Pierre Nobert of Church Point is another newcomer to the Canada Games mission staff. Mr. Nobert has been the athletic director at Universite Sainte-Anne for the last 11 years. He has been involved in volleyball and for the past three years has been named the Atlantic College Athletic Association (ACAA) Coach of the Year. This year he received the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) Coaching Excellence Award for women's volleyball. -30- Contact: Nancy Spencer 902-425-5454, ext 344 trp Oct. 08, 1996 - 9:15 a.m.