The CGC SportWORKS Programme is a collection of initiatives that sends Canadian sport leaders to Commonwealth countries on one-week to one-year placements, designing and delivering sustainable sport development programmes and building sport system capacity.

Over the next three years, CGC intends to deliver the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Initiative (QESI) as part of its SportWORKS Programme.

CGC will look to prepare, send and monitor 71 senior Brock University sport management students on four-month internships, supporting sport development projects in various Commonwealth countries.

This month, the first of these QESI SportWORKS officers will lead projects in four countries, two in the Caribbean and two in Africa.

In Botswana, Michael Small will assist with the implementation of the Botswana Long Term Athlete Development model for the sports of football, athletics, boxing, golf, tennis, squash, judo and cricket.

Small will work with both the Botswana National Olympic Committee and the National Federations to implement different stages of the model in various regions across the country.

Meanwhile, Courtney Tinkler will take on the role of rugby development officer with the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union.

Responsibilities will include working with the junior development programme to assist in the management of the under-19 rugby teams, assisting in planning of coaching and leadership workshops, and working with players to promote positive life skills such as discipline, teamwork, humility and patience.

Elsewhere, Ian Bottum will assist the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association to establish multi-sport clubs in different regions of the country.

These clubs will collaborate with schools in their communities to provide access to sport, while promoting the benefits of education and literacy to students.

Additionally, Amanda MacKenzie will assist with the Leaders in Training programme in collaboration with the Swaziland Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association.

The project works with schools and communities to develop life skills through sport with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Individuals will use Olympic and Commonwealth values to encourage communities to engage and be active, while working towards increased participation in sport throughout Swaziland.

"Commonwealth Games Canada has been a long-term leader in the field of international development through sport," said Richard Powers, CGC President.

"We are proud to announce the continuation of this work through the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Initiative and these SportWORKS projects in Africa and the Caribbean."

To follow each SportWORKS Officer’s personal journey through their blogs, visit the CGC website here.

Three additional sport development projects are due to be added next year.



Related stories
September 2015: Commonwealth Games Canada reveal support for Toronto 2024 after Mayor John Tory opts not to enter race
April 2012: Commonwealth Games Canada form new Athlete Council
April 2011: Commonwealth Games Canada appoints interim chief executive
January 2011: Commonwealth Games Canada chief executive quits