Manitoba Summer Games
The Power Smart Manitoba Games mirror the Olympic cycle, with events alternating between summer and winter editions every two years. The games are administered by the provincial government agency Sport Manitoba and implemented by the Manitoba Games Council. The Manitoba Games focus on athletes between the ages of 10 and 21, and are funded by Sport Manitoba, the corporate community in the province, athlete registration fees and local fundraising.
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History
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Established in 1972, the first Manitoba Games was held in Winnipeg in December 1974 and served as a qualifying event for the province's team in the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The games were established to provide Manitoba residents with the opportunity to participate in a province-wide athletic event and develop skill levels and interest in sport. The program is intended to develop athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, as well as foster participation in sport.
Host Communities
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The first Manitoba Summer Games were organized in Neepawa in 1976. Following a hiatus, Beausejour and Pinawa in southeastern Manitoba hosted the Manitoba Summer Games in 1988. Held every four years, hosts of subsequent editions have included Minnedosa and Neepawa in 1992, Morden in 1996, Virden in 2000, Dauphin in 2004, and Carman in 2008. The Swan Valley and the community of Swan River in west central Manitoba will host the games in 2012.
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Hosting Benefits
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Host communities receive approximately $150,000 (CAD) from the Province of Manitoba for sport facility capital upgrades to organize the Manitoba Games. According to Sport Manitoba, the economic impact of hosting the event contributes over one million dollars (CAD) to the local community, mainly from activity by the 1,800 participants and their families. Sport Manitoba also notes that previous financial legacies of hosting the games have ranged from $10,000 to $100,000 (CAD).
Sports Program
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Provincial sport organizations apply for inclusion of their sports in the Manitoba Games, with the number and type of sports included determined by Sport Manitoba. Competition during the 2012 Manitoba Summer Games will feature baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, golf, sailing,soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, and a triathlon. All sports include male and female athletes, with the exception of baseball (male only) and softball (female only).
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References
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