麻豆社区

Team Yukon wants to win the "Spirit of the Games鈥� award at this year's Canada 55+ Games being held in Strathcona County, Alta., later this summer.

Step one in winning that award for enthusiasm and sportsmanship is to build a strong cohesive team spirit in the Yukon participants.

That's the agenda for tonight's pep rally at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre, say organizers.

"Although the planning for the Games has been going on for nearly two years, the pep rally is really the kick-off for this summer's event,鈥� said Tom Parlee, the president of the ElderActive Recreation Association, which takes the lead in organizing Team Yukon.

"At the rally, we practise the team song under the direction of Hank Karr, renew acquaintances, meet new competitors, learn the details about accommodations and the various sport and activity venues, show off our new team uniforms, and find out what social activities the host society has to offer.

"The afternoon is packed and it really starts to make the trip to the Canada 55+ Games a reality.鈥�

The pep rally will get underway at 5:30 p.m. and a variety of government officials will be on hand.

Team Yukon has 153 members, making it the largest team the territory has ever sent to the Canada 55+ Games.

Yukoners are participating in 18 of the 24 sports and activities at the games. The largest contingent of 19 participants will be playing slo-pitch, followed by 17 athletes in track and field and 16 members competing in carpet bowling.

"Our team members range in age from 55 years to 89 years. There are 18 members over the age of 80 and the average age of participants is 69 years,鈥� said Linda Stratis, the co-chef de mission for Team Yukon.

"We are really pleased to have 20 team members from the communities; that representation reflects the increased activity of ERA programs outside Whitehorse.鈥�

The Canada 55+ Games will be held just outside Edmonton in Strathcona County, Aug. 27 to 30.