Northern BC Winter Games - Longest Running Games in BC

By Kelly Sharp

D.P. Todd coach Miles Clyne talks strategy with Winter Games bound Trojans

The grandfather of multi-sports games in British Columbia is February 8-11 at Fort St.John. The Northern BC Winter Games return to the city where it all started, where Northern BC came together to celebrate sport. It was 1975 when the very first Northern BC Winter Games were organized to offer northern BC youth a chance to compete and build friendships. Since the early games in Fort St John, 17 other communities have hosted the winter tradition of showcasing sport and culture. Prince George was home to its first Northern BC Winter Games in 1978. The future CEO of the Vancouver Olympic Committee, John Furlong, was the Prince George recreation director. Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau officially started the speed skating event at what was then Connaught Secondary School (now Ron Brent Elementary).  Neil Marshall, a future Olympic speed skater and coach was one of the young athletes competing for the host Fraser Fort George team. At the time, the 1978 Northern BC Winter Games was the second largest sporting event in Canadian history. Over 4000 took part in the 3-day 37 event competition.  From snowshoeing to water polo to handball to badminton, sport was supreme that February weekend nearly 29 years ago.

The 2007 edition of the Northern BC Winter Games is estimated to attract over 1300 athletes, competing in 16 sports. A Prince George contingent of over 100 athletes will lead the Fraser Fort George team to Fort St John. Wrestlers and archers top the Prince George representation. Mackenzie athletes lead the Fraser Fort George team in karate.

The D.P. Todd junior boys and Lakewood Secondary junior girls of Prince George will take to the basketball boards. For D.P. Todd coach Miles Clyne the Northern BC Winter Games come just at the right time in the development of his ball club. Playing five round robin games in a short period of time goes a along ways in preparing the Trojans for the district and zone playdowns..

“You really get to break the team down, find out exactly where their weaknesses and strengths are,” said Clyne, who is coaching the Trojans in his third Northern BC Winter Games. The challenge for the coach and players is adjusting to unfamiliar teams and how the game will be officiated.

Of course, the usually long speeches at the opening ceremonies are not a highlight for athletes at the Northern BC Winter Games. 

“They love the competition,” noted the D.P. Todd head coach.

“They love being out of town.”

The Trojans basketball team narrowly missed reaching the gold medal final in the 2006 Northern BC Winter Games at One Hundred Mile House.

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