Team rally scheduled for tomorrow morning at Moncton High

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by dwayne tingley
times & transcript staff

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Dieppe's Normand Léger has worked with New Brunswick's mission staff at 12 different Canada Games and there is one constant among them all.

"We've always had great team spirit," said Léger, who serves as Team New Brunswick's media liason.

"Other teams have always made great comments about our New Brunswick athletes," he said. "We always hear good, positive feedback about our athletes.

"Our athletes cheer each other on. We support each other very well and our athletes get along with everyone. It's always been that way."

Team New Brunswick, who has won the Jack Pelech Award for sportsmanship at the Canada Games four times, will begin showing its colours this weekend in Metro Moncton.

Most teams will hold practices in Metro Moncton today from 2:45-5:15 p.m. They will gather at several school gyms and fields as well as the Université de Moncton and the CN Sportplex for workouts.

Approximately 80 per cent of Team Brunswick's 360 players, coaches and managers are expected to attend this weekend's sessions, which also include a barbecue tonight and rally tomorrow morning at Moncton High School.

The rally, scheduled for 9:30-11 a.m. at the MHS Auditorium and open to the public, will feature a mock of the opening ceremonies for the Canada Games.

This summer's games will be held Aug. 15-29 in Prince Edward Island.

"We want them to experience what it's going to be like at the opening ceremonies," Léger said. "It's a special time for the whole team. It's when we start to build team spirit."

There will be other sessions with the athletes, including some that teaches the young competitors how to deal with the media.

Alexandre Coholon, a 15-year-old member of New Brunswick's track and field team who is making his Canada Games debut, is looking forward to the rally.

"I've been to other national events like the Legion (track and field championships) and the Francophone Games, but nothing as big as this," said Coholon, who will run a pair of relay events at the Games.

"The excitement is starting to build and it should be a lot of fun," said the Grade 10 student from L'Odyssée High School. "I know they want to build a strong team atmosphere and they want us to know our teammates well."

Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Hédard Albert is expected to attend the ceremony, where the athletes will unveil the delegation's official uniforms.

"It's the only time when most of the delegation's teams will have a chance to meet," said chef de mission Jennifer Bent Richard.

"During the Games, the delegation is divided into two groups, and the two won't be there at the same time. We want to take advantage of this opportunity to provide the athletes, artists, coaches and managers with information about the logistics of the Games."

The first week of competitions will take place in the Summerside area and will bring together athletes from basketball, cycling, diving, men's rugby, sailing, women's soccer, women's softball, tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball, men's wrestling and rowing.

The sports of the second week will take place in the Charlottetown area, and include athletics, men's baseball, golf, men's soccer, swimming, volleyball, women's wrestling and canoe/kayak. The delegation has three artist members.