Sports Day fun for everyone

sports_day

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Athletes of all levels at CFB Esquimalt are gearing up for Canadian Armed Forces Sports Day.

On Oct. 20, the Canadian military’s annual celebration of all things sport happens at bases across the country and around the world. The purpose of CAF Sports Day has little to do with wins and losses. Instead, the event is meant to be inclusive and has more to do with the “fun factor”, explains Heather Catte, Personnel Support Programs Sports Coordinator.

“The real purpose of this event is for people of all levels of skill and experience to get out there and participate,” she says. “Sports Day is a great way to be physically active, try new sports and activities, develop new skills, build teamwork and camaraderie, and meet new people.”

This year’s Sports Day includes three main components: a 5 kilometre National Sports Day Run, a sports tabloid and a variety of mini-tournaments.

The action begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Naden Drill Shed with the National Sports Day Run. Participants are encouraged to arrive early, with proper Department of National Defence identification, to complete the registration process.

At 10:30 a.m., the Naden Athletic Centre (NAC) will be the stage for the seven-event sports tabloid, which features basketball, volleyball, squash, cricket, spin, swimming and rowing.

Mini tournaments also begin at 10:30 a.m. and involve slo-pitch, three-on-three hockey and seven-aside soccer. Registration for the mini tournaments closes on Oct. 16. To register, email Heather Catte at heather.catte@forces.gc.ca with your team name.

Civilian employees at the base are also eligible to take part in the sports tabloid and mini tournaments, but will be required to sign an injury waiver before taking part.

Those who take part in the sports tabloid or the mini tournaments can use participation credits earned as points for their unit’s Cock of The Walk team.

Three food trucks will be at the NAC, each with free food and beverages available for 200 sports day participants. Free food tickets will be given to teams as well as athletes who hand in a passport with three stamps. Tickets can be collected at the Health Partners booth behind the NAC. The food trucks will also have food available for purchase for anyone who doesn’t get a free food ticket.

Last year’s CAF Sports Day had approximately 11,000 registered participants who took part in more than 200 Sports Day activities across the country.

On the eve of Sports Day, Oct. 19, CFB Esquimalt will host its annual local Athletic Awards Ceremony starting at 4:30 p.m. Ottawa will wrap up its sports day by hosting the annual national CAF Sports Award Ceremony, which celebrates the year’s outstanding athletes.

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