Team BC Mission Staff are volunteers that are selected from experts in the sport, recreation, health services, and communications sectors to provide support to the Provincial Sport Organizations, athletes, coaches, and managers leading up to and during the Canada Games. Mission Staff provide support in the areas of operations, performance services, sport management, and communications. The Mission Staff team works to minimize distractions to ensures that athletes, coaches, and managers can optimize their performances and enhance their overall experience at the Games.
Involvement in Team BC Mission Staff is a significant commitment where team members take part in pre-Games meetings, as well as attend the entire duration of the Games. This commitment requires the support of each Mission Staff member's employer. This is a unique professional development opportunity where employers can feel confident that their employees will develop strengths and skills to enhance their current work environment and ultimately benefit an organization or company’s bottom line.
"Volunteering as Team BC Mission Staff provides our staff with first hand practical experience working within a high performance multi-sport competitive environment. It also provides exceptional professional development experience for anyone interested in a long-term career in sport, recreation, or health. From the first Team BC Mission Staff retreat meeting through to the end of the entire Games experience, our staff have learned the ins and outs of how to support the coaches and sport technical experts as they prepare the athletes for peak performances. On top of getting great professional development opportunities, the opportunity to travel around Canada, and network with your peers from the other provinces are also great benefits you will receive."
Kurt Innes, Director – Talent Development, Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific
"When I first started as a mission staffer, I was just beginning my professional career and my experience at the Canada Games helped me gain new skills and build lasting relationships. Over the course of three Canada Games I grew and developed as a leader and that has significantly contributed to my career today.
One of the incredible parts of being on Team BC’s Mission Staff is the being involved in the entire life cycle of the Games (pre, during & post). Ultimately your experience, learnings and input is relied upon to inform the BC and Canadian Sport System.
I would say that the most important thing you’ll learn as a mission staffer is being able to triage and think quickly on your feet in an unpredictable, intense environment. The ability to adapt, problem solve, and manage priorities efficiently are essential skills that all business leaders need to succeed in any industry. The Games truly do prepare you for anything, and I have applied these skills in my current role and throughout my career in & outside of the sports industry.
I would highly suggest a Mission Staff role with Team BC to anyone who is hoping to grow their network, learn essential leadership skills, and have a once in a lifetime experience."
Tyla Flexman, Team BC Mission Staff (2013 Canada Summer Games, 2015 Canada Winter Games, 2017 Canada Summer Games)
Those chosen as Mission Staff can expect to have an incredible and unique experience through Team BC and the Canada Games. Mission Staff will develop new skills and leadership, and grow their professional networks and friendships. Travelling to new parts of the country, working with experts in sport, and supporting Canada's next high performance athletes at a major multi-sport Games is something that only a select few can count as an experience of a lifetime.