Legion welcomes support of British Columbia Government for 37th Annual Legion National Youth Track & Field Championships

Langley, B.C. -- July 26, 2013 - Every year in August, The Royal Canadian Legion in partnership with Athletics Canada, sponsors a national track and field competition for young athletes between the ages of 14 to 17. This is the only competition of its kind in Canada with an alumnus that boasts a good majority of our Nation’s Olympians.

The BC/Yukon Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary will host the 2013 and 2014 Championships at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley, BC, August 9, 10 and 11 beginning this year. Over 1,000 youth athletes, the best of the best, will compete for Medal standing and an opportunity of a lifetime.   
 
Now the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary has just received official support from the B.C. Government for this exciting project.
 
"We are so pleased to be supporting this important and prestigious athletics event," said Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Coralee Oakes. "The Legion Championships represent a fantastic development opportunity for Canada's future athletic leaders and give us a preview of the incredible talent that is on the rise in our province and our country.  At the same time, this event gives the host community a chance to shine.  I know that Langley will give a warm welcome to the thousands of visitors who will attend," said Oakes. Minister Oakes will welcome the youth athletes at the official Opening Ceremonies, which are open to the public, on Friday, August 9^th at 7:00 PM at McLeod Athletic Park.   
 
This year's games are made possible through the generosity of more than 320,000 Legionnaires and some 4.5 million British Columbians whose commitment to our youth is evident with the Legion National Youth Track & Field Championships being held in Langley, BC.
 
“As members of a national organization, it makes all Legionnaires proud to be supported by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and the Government of British Columbia in our collective efforts to support the development of Canadian youth," says Legion Dominion President, Gordon Moore.
 
Hosting in British Columbia will have a profound economic impact for sports tourism, brining into the Province over $12.2 Million over the two year experience.
 
For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion at  (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760. bruce.poulin@legion.ca

For more information about the athletes, the events, and the championships, please visit yo.ca.