Posted: October 31, 2005

Athletics Canada Names the 2005 Games of La Francophonie Team

(Ottawa) Athletics Canada is pleased to announce today its 38-member team that will compete in the 2005 Games of La Franchophonie in Niamey, Niger December 7th – 17th. Team Canada is comprised of 20 men and 17 women.

Men Nathan Vadeboncoeur, 21, Champaign, USA John Carle, 22, Montreal, QC Trevor O’Brien, 27, Victoria, BC Jared MacLeod, 25, Winnipeg Ken Myers, 26, Calgary, AB Jason Warick, 32, Saskatoon, SK Bruce Raymer, 36, Toronto, ON Kwaku Boateng, 31, Montreal, QC Jeff Caton, 30, Toronto, ON Derek Watkins, 23, Ottawa, ON Robert Hanson, 23, Saskatoon, SK Andy Miller, 31, Langley, BC John Zubyck, 26, Toronto, ON Eric Forshaw, 37, St. Joachim, ON James Steacy, 21, Lethbridge, AB Craig Slaunwhite, 24, Toronto, ON Joe Woodske, 31, Canal Flats, BC James Holder, 29, Calgary, AB Patrick Russell, 23, Toronto, ON Clifford Caines, 26, St. John’s, NF

Women Tasha Monroe, 23, Markham, ON Esther Akinsulie, 21, Ottawa, ON Lauren Seibel, 23, Kelowna, BC Paula McLaughlin, 24, Toronto, ON Melina Thibodeau, 36, Victoria BC Andrea Vinet, 23, Saskatoon, SK Whitney Evans, 25, Calgary, AB Kelsie Hendry, 23, Saskatoon, SK Adrianne Vangool, 20, Saskatoon, SK Sue Kupper, 21, Edmonton, AB Caroline Larose, 27, Cantley, QC Julie Bourgon, 24, Boucherville, QC Kate Forbes, 23, Lethbridge, AB Megan Reid, 22, Saskatoon, SK Crystal Smith, 24, Ashland, USA Dominique Bilodeau, 26, Lac-Mégantic, QC Veronique Fortin, 26, Sherbrooke, QC

Team Staff

Daniel St. Hilaire, Montréal, QC, Head Coach                                             
Francois Pap, Montréal, QC, Team Manager                        
Nathalie Muller, Ottawa, ON, Team Manager                      
Larry Steinke, Lethbridge, AB, Combined Events Coach     
Lorri Larowe, Flanders, ON, Throws Coach             
Dan Hennigar, Halifax, NS, Endurance Coach          
Hugh Conlin, Ottawa, ON, Sprints/ Hurdles Coach
Brian Risk, North Bay, ON, Pole Vault Coach          
Christopher Morgan, Toronto, ON, Chiropractor                  
Cecilia Torres, Calgary, AB, Massage                                  
Blaise Dubois, Stoneham, QC, Physiotherapy 

Head Coach Daniel St. Hilaire feels that the Games of La Francophonie are about more than just winning. “The 2005 Games of La Francophonie in Niamey, Niger are a very good occasion for each Canadian team member to grow humanly, culturally and athletically”.

The 5th Games of La Francophonie are an international cultural and sporting event that brings together nations and regions of the World that have French as a common language. These games further distinguish themselves from other similar events through the unique showcase of the Francophone culture, as well as through the excellence of the athletes. The selection of athletes and artists who participate in the Games is based on excellence in sport and culture, regardless of the language they speak.

Athletics Canada is working in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage to ensure members of Team Canada get the most out of their experience at the Games of La Francophonie. Athletics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of track and field including cross-country running and road running.

Editor's Note:The team and a one-week training camp are being fully funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.