Toronto Pan American 2015 Fast Approaching

20,000 volunteers needed for 2015 Pan American Games

“Our Government is a proud supporter of the Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games and we look forward to an exciting golf competition here in Markham at Angus Glen,” said Bal Gosal Canada’s Minister of State for Sport at a recent press conference in Markham.

Angus Glen Golf Course which has two 18 hole championship golf courses, will host the first ever Pan Am Games golf tournament in July 2015.  The four day 2015 Pan Am Pro-Am golf competition tentatively set for July 16-19 will include men and women events In announcing the decision Ian troop, chief executive officer of the games said his team was excited that the first gold medals ever awarded in golf at the Pan Am games will be presented on the course at Angus Glen.

Cailey Stollery, Angus Glen’s President confessed this is a special occasion and a true milestone for her organization, for York Region, the City of Markham and the Greater Toronto Area. In expressing appreciation for her golf course being selected, Stollery admitted it is a delight to be able to share their passion and support for the game of golf within the Americas and the rest of the world.

At the recent 2013 Men’s Pan American Field Hockey Championship at the Cassie Campbell Community Center in Brampton, Ontario Trinidad and Tobago won the bronze medal by defeating the United States three goals to one. The Americans had to settle for fourth place. The silver medal went to the host country Canada after being by Argentina who went home with the gold medal.

Glen Francis, left coach of T&T Field Hockey team, Cindy Martin-Faustin, manager and Dr. Zynul Deon Khan, team doctor for the bronze medal team which performed in Brampton, Ontario recently.

Meanwhile, the Métis Nation of Ontario has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Games Organizing Committee. It covers Métis participation in the Games and outlines how the Métis Nation of Ontario and its citizens will participate and be recognized. The MOU includes appropriate dignitary recognition, access to economic development opportunities and involvement in torch relays and the TORONTO 2015 Arts and Culture Festival, presented by CIBC.

Some 20,000 volunteers are needed for the games Troop disclosed and anyone interested can visit the games’ website (www.Toronto2015.org) and sign up. The official volunteer drive starts April next year and training begins in the fall of 2014 so they will be well ahead of the game for 2015. However Troop emphasized “if you are eager and you want to get involved our website (2015.org) has a way for people to sign up.”

“Every one of our sports is organized by a volunteer sport organizing committee chairman and if you have expertise in a specific sport where you have been part of organizing tournaments and events at a high level, let us know that and our sport organizing committee chairs are recruiting their teams and you will be part of a team that’s delivering that sport and the field to play at games time,” said Troop. Another important way that people can get involved, he noted, “every one of our communities is getting organized now to think about how they want to take advantage of the games, to welcome people, to make sure that it’s a good business opportunity, that the volunteers are local and that they are engaged.” For that reason the Games’ Chief Executive Officer advised, wherever people live, they should talk to the municipality to get involved. “Those organizations are starting to come up now to make sure the games really are vibrant across the Southern Ontario footprint,” Troop explained.

Gosal notes proudly the Pan Am Games 2015 is the largest multi-sport games ever hosted in Canada. He is proud of the legacy that will be left behind for Canadian athletes to train. New structures are being built at international standards. The velodrome in Milton is going to be a key component for cyclists. It’s the first ever velodrome in Canada and it’s going to be great to train our athletes instead of sending them outside the country. They will be training here. The aquatic center at the University of Toronto or the Athletic Center at York University, Markham Fieldhouse. All these facilities are going to be there for generations to come and “we will produce high-quality athletes from Ontario,” he reported.

Competition events will take place in various locations throughout the region from Oro-Medonte (Cycling—mountain); Oshawa (Boxing); St. Catharines (Rowing); Toronto (Basketball); Toronto Island (Sailing); Welland and Minden Hills (Canoe/Kayak)