Preparations for the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games are underway and Team BC has selected the Mission Staff who will support British Columbia’s athletes, coaches, and managers at the national multi-sport Games in Prince Edward Island February 18 – March 5, 2023.
Kurt Innes will serve as Chef de Mission, leading the team of Mission Staff who will provide administrative, logistical, and performance preparation support. An Olympian and two-time Olympic Team Coach, Innes has been a Team BC Mission Staff member twice, served as a Team BC coach, and acted as the BC Games Mentorship Program Master Coach Mentor since 2020.
“I’m privileged to be leading such an enthusiastic and talented group of individuals at these Games,” said Innes. “The Canada Winter Games are an incredible opportunity for growth for all of those involved, and we’re lucky to have a Mission Staff team that is dedicated to making these Games as special as possible for all of our participants.”
Jennifer Falloon will be joining Innes as the Assistant Chef de Mission, marking her third Games as part of the Team BC Mission Staff. Falloon brings extensive multi-sport Games experience to the role, having provided leadership and expertise in coach education, technical development, and major event planning throughout her career.
Comprised of volunteer sport administrators, educators, sport performance experts, and communications specialists, the Mission Staff will provide a wide range of services to Team BC athletes, coaches, and managers leading up to and during the Canada Winter Games. The team will strive to support Team BC in achieving optimal performances while ensuring each team member enjoys a safe and positive Games experience.
The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer and are a key step in the development of Canada’s amateur athletes. The last Winter Games were held in Red Deer, Alberta, in 2019.
The Mission Staff team is beginning preparations now and will work for the next eight months to ensure Team BC is ready for the 2023 Canada Winter Games
About Team BC
Team BC will bring together a delegation of athletes, coaches, managers, and Mission Staff to represent British Columbia at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in PEI. Team BC athletes are the best young developing talent in this province and are our future national and international champions. Visit www.teambc.org for the latest news and updates.
About the Canada Games
From February 18 to March 5, 2023, the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games will bring together more than 3,600 participants to celebrate the very best in Canadian sport. This will be the third time the island province has hosted the event since its first Games in 1991.
Media Contact:
David Conlin
Communications Manager
BC Games Society
Office: 250-356-5254
Cell: 250-882-3685
BACKGROUNDER Team BC Mission Staff - 2023 Canada Winter Games
Leadership Team
Kurt Innes, Chef de Mission (Salt Spring Island)
Jennifer Falloon, Assistant Chef de Mission (North Vancouver)
Jarret Poitras, Operations Manager, BC Games Society (Victoria)
David Conlin, Communications Manager, BC Games Society (Victoria)
Mission Staff
Ali Baggott, Communications (Victoria)
Nadine Barbisan, Sport Mission Staff (New Westminster)
Rebecca Burgoyne, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Sam Corea, Communications (Vancouver)
Brianna Davey, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Keiffer Johnson, Sport Mission Staff (Kamloops)
Marie Pierre-Lavoie, Operations Assistant/Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Aaron Lavorato, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Andres Marquez-Velasco, Communications (Victoria)
Liam McDonough, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Shannon McGinnis, Sport Mission Staff (Squamish)
Adam Powell, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Stephanie Rudnisky, Special Events Lead (Richmond)
Alana See, Sport Mission Staff (Chilliwack)
Jean Tetarenko, Sport Mission Staff (Victoria)
Emily Vickery, Sport Mission Staff (Vancouver)
Performance Team
Beth Rizzardo, Medical Manager (Vancouver)
Carl Nienhuis, Mental Performance Consultant – Lead (Chilliwack)
Geoff Hackett, Mental Performance Consultant (Nanaimo)
Shelbi Snodgrass, Mental Performance Consultant (Vancouver)
Alternates
Kevin Berar (Surrey)
Joni Richardson (Victoria)