Western Canada Summer Games (Train to Compete) - The Western Canada Summer Games is a multi-sport event held every four years. They involve teams from each of the Western Provinces and all the Territories. Participation numbers and competing sports are similar to the Canada Summer Games but without the travel subsidy from the Canada Games Council.
Western Canada Summer Games Guiding Principles:
- That the selection and preparation process for potential athletes is clear and well defined
- That the expectations on commitment for potential participants are a minimum 4 years prior to the event
- That the identification and selection process for each sport is fair and accessible to all potential participants
- That the best athletes are chosen for each sport while ensuring that they meet the highest standards required to compete in this event
The Western Canada Summer Games were officially launched in Regina, August 1975, in a pre-Olympic Games year, along with the decision to hold the Games every four years, one year ahead of the Olympic Games and using the same 23 summer sports disciplines. The following is a list of the Games hosted to-date:
1975 Regina, Saskatchewan
1979 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
1983 Calgary, Alberta
1987 Regina, Saskatchewan
1991 Winnipeg, Manitoba
1995 Abbotsford, British Columbia
1999 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
2003 Selkirk, Stonewall, Gimli and Beausejour, Manitoba
2007 Strathcona County, Alberta
2011 Kamloops, British Columbia
2015 Wood Buffalo, Alberta
2019 Swift Current, Saskatchewan
The Western Canada Summer Games are intended to provide development opportunities for amateur athletes and to help them advance their skills in a competitive, but friendly environment. The Games also serve to broaden the exposure of talented athletes and provide a training ground for national and international level competitions. Social and cultural elements round out the sporting events for athletes.
The Western Canada Summer Games have also presented an opportunity for Host Communities in the western provinces and territories to successfully take on the challenge of staging such a major event. The process, therefore, has a dual role: a major multi-sport Games for athletes and a unique opportunity for promoting community development.