Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to the Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle show on your VOCM.
Now here's your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the show. I'm your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
This week, we're shining the spotlight on one of the
most exciting events Newfoundland and Labrador has ever hosted, the
Canada's Summer Games.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
It's celebration of sport, youth.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
And community, and we're speaking with two.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Guests who are right at the heart of it all.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
First up, we have Karen Sheriffs, the CEO of the
Canada Games Host Society. Karen has been leading the team
behind the scenes, managing and planning logistics and community partnerships
that make this event possible. She'll share what we can
expect when the Games begin, and how it's all coming
together and what kind of legacy she hopes this leaves
for our province. Later in the show, we'll hear from
(00:49):
Declan Walsh, the tennis player representing Team Newfoundland. This will
be his second Canada Games, this time he's playing at home.
Declan will walk us through what it means to wear
the provincial colors and how he's trained for the moment
and why this experience is one He and the other.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Athletes will never forget.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
We have lots to cover. So let's get to our
interview with Karen Sheriff's. Hi, Karen, welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Hi, thanks for having me well, I.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Really appreciate you taking the time. I can only imagine
how busy things are for you right now. We are
leading up to the Canada Games and obviously you have
a very important role that why don't you tell our
listeners a little bit about yourself and what you have
planned for our community this summer for sure.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
So I am the CEO of the twenty twenty five
Canada Games Host Society and being part of the journey
from start to finish in leading the city with an
amazing bid committee.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
There's a whole bit.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
Process in twenty twenty, in the twenty twenty one and
being an awarded at the Games, and the opportunity to
start planning for this amazing event. Last time I was
hosted here in our province in on the east coast
of the province in Saint John was in nineteen seventy
seven and Cornberg hosted the nineteen ninety nine Candon Winter Games.
(02:06):
So you know, it's been a long time and we're
excited to bring the Games back to Newfolin and Labrador.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Well, that's right, and they're going to be running for
a good chunk of the summer here. Why don't you
give us the dates and some of the locations it's
going to be located in, because it's not going to
be just centralized one location.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
The games will run from August eighth to the twenty fifth,
with our opening ceremonies on the ninth of August and
closing on the twenty fourth. We have been really lucky
to partner with the surrounding communities of Mount Pearl, Conception Based,
South Paradise, Loi Bay, Middicobe, Agricove, which will all be
hosting a variety of sporting events as well as part
(02:47):
of our artistic and festival program and MEMORIALA University, another
wonderful community partner, will be Home, the home away from
home as the athlete's village for the Games, So they.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Are going to be housing that We will have.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Over almost fifty two hundred athletes, coaches and managers coming
over the two week period.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Wow, that's unbelievable. Yes, we expect to see it a
busy time up here on campus, that's for sure, and
that's great.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Well, be a buzz for the end of our Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I can't wait.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
And I think that when we talk about Canada Games
being the host of the Canada Games, there's a really
big knockoff benefit to the communities. When you talk about
the opportunities for the athlete, that's a huge part of
the course, but there's also a big economic and infrastructure
boost that's going to benefit us for quite a while,
not only just this summer, but in the future.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (03:39):
Absolutely, the economic impact is so significant for the Games.
The past number of games have seen anywhere from one
hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty million just
for the eighteen days of the game, so really tremendous. Uh.
It just gives that boost to community. We're welcoming the
country to our province, center, our surround, our areas, our cities,
(04:02):
our municipalities, our towns, and you will see every restaurant, hotel,
car rental tours, location aboves with activity, you know, and
also an amazing opportunity and something for the whole community
to experience from this and take in the amazing sports
(04:22):
nineteen different sports, artistic and cultural program that will be
launched today and you know it's it's just really phenomenal.
So you know, every bit of our decision making is
really about what is the benefit to community well after
the eighteen days of the Games, and what we can
(04:43):
continue to do.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
With you know, infrastructure upgrades.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
We have twenty five capitals projects value almost eighty million dollars.
Everything from every piece of equipment that we're buying, how
we leave it back in community, water organizations can benefit
from it. Decision making on that is for every single
procured item of our home society.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
It's unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And I think about the student or the athlete training
programs that are going to come from it. Whenever you
see Olympics for example, or Canada Games, the infrastructure that's
left there, what's that problen is a bit of an
advantage in the future when it comes to being more competitive.
And I'm a huge advocate for sports. I played sports
my whole life and I think that adds a lot
to the education of our young people. How do you guys, like,
(05:28):
what are some examples of some of the infrastructure projects
you've added to when it comes to sports in the province.
Speaker 6 (05:34):
Yeah, I mean I think a couple of really big
ones right now would be you know, the Accuring was
built for the seventy seven Games.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
The Accuring is truly a gym in Atlantic Canada.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
A sixty five meter pool, you know, a three to
five it is seven to ten meter platform diving, you know,
complex springboards.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Three and one meter.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
You know, it's just really phenomenal and as you look
at the rest of the country to have a facility
like this to help athletes train, arm our swimmers, artistic swimmers,
are divers, any aquatic sports really you know, they have
that renewed renovation to that that facility, you know, the mechanical,
the electrical, the air circulation, I mean everything. Just to
(06:18):
hopefully that this will go on for another thirty plus
years and you know, would be such a good asset
to the community host future events.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
It's that's a big one.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
The Forda's Cande Games Complex, the new athletics facility is
state of the art. It's going to be amazing. I
cannot wait to see all these athletes start training and
the general public on this as well as you know,
a FIFAS certified turf soccer facility as well. At the
fortest Cande Games Complex, So you know things like that,
(06:50):
the Green Belt Dome full replacement there, an additional cord
inside just looks tremendous mountain bikers.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
The three pum Barn trails in Pippy Park.
Speaker 6 (07:04):
I mean, while of the story that is we've had
athletes help work on that, contractors, local community organizations.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Currently Skills Park is being built up.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
There is another legacy piece with Amba and it's just
you know, to see.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
That this infrastructure being able to be left behind.
Speaker 6 (07:24):
Paradise Building has built new beach volleyball courts and you
know we'll host lacrosse, Amazing turf surfaces coming into the
double ice rinks there. So just that whole ability to
look at different sports, leave infrastructure back here, upgrades to
your fields in Mount.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Pearl, Saint Pat's turboot.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
We're just like thrilled with the ability to be able
to do that. And it really to have host the
Candy Games really leverages the funding to be able to
put so much need to work back in facilities.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
I love that and you know, when you think about
the athletes that are coming, because he has to show
it off. My nephew is in the front running potentially
to make it. He's in a very competitive sport and
he's in the running to be here. It's a last
minute edition, but if they come here, we have a
chance to show off our province. And I think right now,
more than ever, people are touring around their own country
and people from around the world are looking for options
(08:23):
in Canada to visit. Do you think this is going
to be an opportunity for us to showcase what we
have in our own backyard in Canada to a lot
of people, not only the athletes, but the families that
are coming here.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I think it absolutely is.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Not only are we amazing hosts here in newfoland Labrador,
we are also a bucket list for a lot of
people who haven't gotten here yet. To our proms, and
we're hearing from so many we are going to be
the largest ever Canada Games with the number of athletes
who will be attending, and a companying them will be
(08:58):
parents and grand parents and sisters and then spell friends,
and we're just hearing such a bass about people so
excited to get here. We have one of the smiles.
I've been lucky. This will be my tenth Canada Games
that I've been proud of and This is certainly one
of the smallest footprints of the games I've ever seen.
So the ability to check out canoe kayak down at
(09:20):
Kiddyvidy or and then head to a soccer game, but
head out the paradise to watch lacrosse or CBS is
to catch sailing like you have such an opportunity to
see multiple things in such a close knit area, as
well as for athletes to go and chair on their teams,
chair on other athletes check out other sports, which is
really the beauty of a multi games game sport, you know,
(09:45):
games event like the Canada Games is so where I
just think they're just in for such a treat. I
think they're gonna feel our hospitality, They're going to feel
the culture. We will have a fourteen day program that
is going to be absolutely amazing, the celebration of our
(10:06):
rich and diverse culture, also honoring our indigenous and Francophone
heritage for local artists and also artists from across the country.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
So a lot of way to showcase. So you get
to see amazing.
Speaker 6 (10:18):
Sports and also to get to take in a great
fescimal program as well.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
That was Karen Sheriff, so she walked us through the
incredible scope well planning behind the Canada Games. Coming up next,
we'll talk about what this event means for the community
and the kinds of long term impact that it could have.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
We'll be right back after the break. Welcome back.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
We're continuing our conversation with Karen Sheriff's CEO of the
Host Society for the Canada Games. In this segment, we'll
talk about the Games as more than just an event.
We'll explore its legacy, community engagement, and long term vision
behind bringing the Canada Games to newfound and Labrador.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Let's get back to it.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
And I think that there's something you said for athletes,
So you compete on their home soil too, They're gonna
have the hometown crowd behind them.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
What's that goingd of you like for them?
Speaker 7 (11:07):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (11:07):
I you know, like I said, I've I've been on
the mission staff side, the assistant chef and chef, the
mission side, and I've seen our athletes compete in in
you know, every other province and territory and you know,
you see that home crowd, you know, show up to
support our athletes and like stadiums pull like they've probably
(11:30):
never seen before, arena's fields, you name it. I just
think it's such a special moment and for these athletes,
a lot of them, this is the highest competition they
will compete at. Others will go on to be part
of Team Canada or professional sport. But I don't think
there's anything like representing walking out on the field with
(11:51):
your home province, you know, sporting team Newfomland and the
Labrador and that feeling that the crowd's really cheering you out,
of supporting you from start to Phoenician.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
I think they're in for a real treat. And I'm
not even sure everyone realizes just.
Speaker 6 (12:07):
How special that's going to be walking into opening ceremonies
or closing ceremonies and you know, walking into the soccer
field and I'm you know, I I guess goosebumps thinking
about it because I've seen them.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
In action and other games than know how special it is.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
And imagine being here in front of everybody who's supported you.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Yeah, New Slang crowd is a different type crowd too.
I think we're going to demonstrate that to theentry, which is.
Speaker 7 (12:33):
Great exactly and get out of a cheer thee all
the all the sports that you don't even you might
be a true you know baseball fan, which is amazing,
get out and see all the other sports are just
something to watch in action.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yeah, we can't wait to go check it out ourselves.
And I think that's important. And you know, this doesn't
happen with the people volunteering in the community getting behind it.
And what's the sponsoring from the public when it comes
to volunteers.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Oh my gosh, I don't even know if I can
say enough about it.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
We are currently we're fifty days out. We have a
forty eight one hundred volunteers registered. We're almost there, two
hundred more to go. It truly takes every single one
of these volunteers to help.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
They are the heartbeat of the games.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
I think they're also in for trade and experience and
just getting to be at these venues meet so many
different people. We have one hundred and fifty different roles,
thirty one thousand hours of shifts to fill for eighteen days.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
There is truly something for everybody.
Speaker 6 (13:39):
We are just have been overwhelmed with the response to
date and how dedicated people have been to over four
hundred planning volunteers actively involved for the last.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Year year and a half.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
You know, our Board of directors you know, Kim Keat
and Carol Smith to co chair that, an amazing group
of board, but been with since the very beginning, and
just to have that, just to have that true feel
of bringing the community together. And I think now more
than ever, we need to really refocus on how we
(14:14):
get back to communities and volunteering. And this database volunteers like,
the skill sets they will have, the training they will have,
and the opportunity to leave a database like this back
in our community for future events, I think is really
phenomenal and another key legacy piece for us.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, fantastic. Well, hopefully this episode puts it on the
top of those last two hundred volunteers. That's a call
to anybody listening. Great way to get involved. An incredible organization.
When it comes to this, there has to be challenges
when it comes to the logistical side of things.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Well've been your biggest one. You guys have probably faced
a few.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, you know we have, and I'm just I'm so
proud to say that we've really conquered many of our challenges.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
You know, infrastructure was a big one.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
We are on an island, we had aging infrastructure, We
needed some new infrastructure to be built, and we're working
with you know, twenty five capital projects, so you know,
working with different venue owners and contractors, and you know,
our timeline is not moving on August eighth, and just
working with everybody to ensure.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
That all the venues are ready.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
And I'm really really pleased to say I cannot think
that people have involved in each and every single project
in terms of you know, maintaining timelines and pushing things
to be ready for us for games time.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
It's just really been phenomenal.
Speaker 6 (15:36):
And also no easy feat to attract spot thousand people
to give up their time and.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Volunteer for the game.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
You know, that's another huge obstacle and you know milestone
that we're also meeting now, but certainly as you start
the process that that seems very daunting. It in early
just year ago, launching our volunte program and again people
giving up the time and commitment to help us execute
these games is really phenomenal. And we had to be
(16:09):
very forward thinking in supply chain, getting things here, making
sure our ordering was done well in events, because we
are on island that things have to.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Come and you know, our world has been a.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
Little tipsy, topsy, dirty recently and just making sure we're
meeting all the expectations and needs of everybody while also
maintaining a very athlete focused decision making model to ensure
that decisions we are making are about the athletes and
their experience that they will have.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
It's fantastic and of course, definitely it is always about
the athletes. And yes, I think it's going to be
an amazing program. You guys have been working out for
a long time. I know a lot of the people
on your board and I've been talking about this since
it was first announced, and maybe a lot of people
may not understand that it's not.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Just about the sports itself.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Obviously, it's about a chance to show off the community,
also a chance to have some cultural programming. Can you
explain what will be going on when it comes to
that part.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Of the program.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Yeah, we will have, like I said, an artistic festival
and culture program which is presented by Celebrate and ill
as we celebrate fifty days out from the Games. Our
program will be called Arta Vista and a beautiful logo
I will accompany the artistic program. It will be from
(17:29):
August tenth to the twenty fourth. We will have a
variety of free, family friendly entertainment, experience, community initiatives activities taking.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Place across the whole avalon.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
So all our community partners will be having events. We
will be at the distriy Mall, the Artavista Hub will
be at the Convention Center will They'll be merchandised our
music there daily. It's just going to be really such
a feel, you know, showcasing our talents here and our
(18:03):
talents across the country. There's truly something for everybody. Partners
like the rooms have come on board, who will have
an exhibit there, And you know, we're just we're really
thrilled with lot's going to come from that and the
diversity within the within the Artavista program.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yeah, there's you know, you've I've sure been thinking a
lot about making sure this goes smoothly, looking at the
day to day logistics, focusing on all the things that
will go right, but you know you must have a
goal for what this long term vision will be. Like,
what do you hope the legacy of these games are
for people of the province.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
Yeah, you know, our day to day decision making is
really around you know, while we look at everything from
games home it's truly athlete focused and what we are
going to do for those athletes. We look at the bigger,
larger decisions around the legacy and impact of the games.
So you know, everything from the new and improved infrastructure.
(19:07):
Our legacy plan is robust, you know, with a variety
of pillars, and that's everything from a financial legacy fund,
post games, equipment, supplies, TVs, it stuff, where it's all going.
Where we meet every two weeks now and to discuss
every procured item and why where it's going. Something gets
(19:30):
transfer to future games, but really looking at our own community,
community organizations who could really benefit from the assets that
we have here.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
The people are huge.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
That volunteer component is I think five thousand volunteers.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
That's not something you get to say every.
Speaker 6 (19:47):
Single day, and that's still set the experience and that
they will have post games. Being involved in something like
that is really something our sustainability we're aiming to be.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
We will be the greenest games ever.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
We are doing in large amount of research and benchmarking
for future games initiatives within our own program, leaving you know,
water field stations behind at many many venues and to
be used at future events. Just creating that green every
capital project to head an element of energy efficiency.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
And how we would do that.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Everything's being track to be able to show the magnitude
of that piece of afterwards honor or official training, you know,
and for each of the sports. So this is a
pretty you know, robust list of things.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
I could keep going.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
On and on, but really something key. You know, we
launched the torch was lit last week in Autumwa. So
also how do we how do we connect the rest
of the province to the games And you know, happy
to say the torch will be torture re Label'll be
starting in a week from Saturday and port A bask
and just how exciting to bring that to fifteen different
(21:06):
communities across the province.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
And you know, so we're really really excited.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
But I think the impact is significant and it's truly
a goal of our host society.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
From the very beginning to ensure we make that impact.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
That's amazing and I hope people get a chance to
really check this out. I highly highly encourage it. I
was a boulcan of games when I was younger, and
it's an amazing experience for people to witness themselves. And
also another knockoff will be that they'll be the next
generation watching and they'll be inspired. And that's great for
our community as well, which I think is important. If
people want to check out the games and they want
(21:42):
to get tickets and they want to see what events
around and go, how do they find out more?
Speaker 4 (21:47):
Go to our website.
Speaker 6 (21:48):
We have everything on our website ww dot twenty twenty five,
CANDI games dot Ca, but also download our app.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
Our app will be the true hobb of communications throughout
the game.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
That there's delays, there will be notifications coming out, if
there's exciting things happening.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
You can get tickets, merchandise, you name it on our app.
Speaker 6 (22:09):
And really we are the first games to have an
app like this and excited to have. We have thousands
of downloads already and we know it's just going to
continue to increase. So yeah, our ticket sales are going
quite well. Opening closing ceremonies currently sold out. We are
(22:29):
actively looking for other options around that piece to get
a few more people.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Into the venue.
Speaker 6 (22:34):
But ah, you know, there's day passes, there's sports specific passes,
there's week one, week two, full game passes, so really
you can take as much as you want in through
these passes and our middle tickets will be going on
sale in July.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Fantastic. Well, I just want to say thanks so much
for taking the time.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
I know how busy you are and I know how
much work you and your team will put into it,
but a big thank you for our whole community for
all the effort you've put into this, and I look.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Forward to witness the success of all your hard work.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
There's an amazing team of staff and volunteers with this
host Society who are working tirelessly and so enthusiastic and
with so much passion.
Speaker 4 (23:20):
I really can't thank them enough.
Speaker 6 (23:22):
It's been an amazing team effort by everybody who's been involved.
So thank you for having me here today and the
opportunity to talk about the games.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
A big thanks to Karen for giving us a view
of the candidate games behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
After the break will switch gears.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
And here from an athlete competing in the games, Team
Newfoundland's Declan Walsh, who's stepping onto the court for a
second time, but now on home soil.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Joining us now is Declan Walsh, a tennis player representing
Team Newfounland. He's a returning apth to the Canada Games
and this time he's competing in front of a hometown crowd.
He has lots of insights to share with us. So
let's get to our conversation.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
With Declan Walsh. Hey, Deklan, welcome to the show.
Speaker 9 (24:11):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
It's fantastic Dabbie here. It's great to talk to an athlete.
He's going to be going to the Games. But for
our listeners who are just meeting you, maybe you could
give us a little bit of info about yourself.
Speaker 9 (24:22):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 10 (24:23):
So my name is Declan Walsh. I'm seventeen years old
right now. I'm going going to my final year a
Gonzaia High School in September. And so I've been playing
tennis now since since I was about five or six
years old. I've loved it ever since. I've been playing
competitive tournaments now for about nine years. I was fortunate
(24:44):
enough to play in the twenty twenty two Canada Games
in Niagara and I'm very excited to play my second
Canada Games right here at all.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah, that's fantastic, And I guess that's the big question
for you, right now. I mean, how does it feel
heading back to the Games, especially what it's here in
for Lenna and Labrador. You know, what's what's your energy level?
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Are you more excited this time than you were last time?
Speaker 9 (25:06):
Yeah? For sure.
Speaker 10 (25:06):
It's it's definitely a different different VOD going into into
this Canada Games. I do have the experience now of
having one under my delt, but having it having at
home is something that's going to be very, very special.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
It's going to be in the an.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
Atmosphere around the games, not only on the court, but
off the court and around the city in general. It's
just gonna it's gonna be something really special, I believe.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
And you must have been pretty young going to the
Games last time. You know what I have put you as
one of the younger athletes. You're going away from home,
you go into a huge tournament against some of the
best players in the entire country. Some of them could
end up being the next tennis player. This is on
the international stage, because we've had some really good ones
over the years come out of cannot tell you what
was your experience like at the first Games.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Do you have like a favorite memory from it?
Speaker 9 (25:52):
Yeah, there's there's.
Speaker 10 (25:54):
A a lot of great memories that that I have
of the first games, And as you mentioned, I was
a little bit younger, so most of the team was
older than me, so I was kind of kind of
the rookie going into going into the first games. And
it'll be interesting because it's kind of the roles are
flipped now, so I'm more of a senior role in
my second Canada games is one of the older players.
So it's definitely going to be a different, different experience
(26:16):
like that in terms of in terms of the team itself.
But uh, thinking thinking back to one of my favorite memories,
one of the biggest things about tennis is you.
Speaker 9 (26:25):
Know, you're it's a solo sport.
Speaker 10 (26:27):
You're out there on your own most of the time,
and most of the time when you're when you're traveling
to tournaments and different events around the country, you know
you're you're going going with yourself and that maybe your
parents and your coach, but that's that's pretty much it.
That's that's about all you have going with you, right,
And I think just some of my favorite memories come
from the fact that you had a team behind you,
and you had a team cheering you on at the games,
(26:49):
and I think that's something that I've I always loved
about Canada games. You only you only have the tennis
team behind you, but you you're really you were playing
for something bigger. You're playing for your home province, right,
And so that's something that I always look back on
and just all the matches where you know, you see
the New Land flag in the stands, you have your
team behind you sharing So I think those sorts of
memories always live on with me.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Yeah, and now you're going to be doing it on
your home turf, at places you played your whole life,
places like Green Bells. I'm sure you've probably played tons
and tons of times, countless times at this point. Are
you looking forward to showing off your home? I mean,
after the competition is over, you must have friends from
all of the country you played tennis with that you're
going to be able to show them a little bit
around your stop and ground.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Is that going to be part of it for you?
Speaker 10 (27:35):
It's going to be something. Yeah, that's very special to me.
There really hasn't been an event as big as this.
That's that I've been able to play playing at home,
you know, our last summer games here in the province
was ninety or was for the Summer Games was nineteen
seventy seven, and.
Speaker 9 (27:53):
That was a long time before me.
Speaker 10 (27:55):
So I'm excited for such a big event to return
back to Saint John's and I think, yeah, like it's
you know, you're always traveling for those big tournaments, but
to be able to be home and to have the
home crowd behind you during during the matches, it's gonna
be something that really I've never experienced before.
Speaker 9 (28:14):
And I'm excited.
Speaker 10 (28:15):
I know I have other people who are competing in
the Games in the second week who may probably watch friends, families,
So it's gonna be it's gonna be really exciting.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
That's cool. Even I wasn't born in nineteen seventy seven.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
That's how long it'll go.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
It was so so that's saying something. Now, one of
the advantages you have, you're gonna be a little bit
more arrested. Maybe you're not jet legging and different time zones.
You've got your own bed at the end of the day.
You've also got your coaches and the people you train
with around you. What's your training them like leading up
to this point. I'm guessing it's a pretty intense so.
Speaker 10 (28:46):
We're about six weeks six weeks out from the games now,
so it's some we're really we're really just getting that game,
that last leg of training in, getting as many practice
matches as you can can be, traveling, playing, playing a
few adult tournaments around the around the island, now, getting
some preparations, some match play in.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
So it's really just.
Speaker 10 (29:05):
Just fine tuning some things from here on out, just
for making sure I've been feeling good about my game
and I'm getting.
Speaker 9 (29:10):
Lost lots of court.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
Yeah, so I mean, you know, you're balancing school everything
and you're also doing this at a very competitive level.
What's your week look like for training?
Speaker 10 (29:21):
So yeah, so thankfully now school's all over, so exams
have finished up, so it does allow me a lot
more time to train, and so the team does trained
together a little bit, but then it's also you're on
your own doing whether it's arranging hits with other players,
other people who might want to come out, do a
(29:41):
practice set, a practice match, and of course the fitness
fiece off the court, so you know, the running and
all the training that goes along with that. So all
that's really important leading into the games.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
Yeah, that's true. And you know, people forget that one
of the hardest sports in the world to play competitively
for a career is tennis, because every three months you've
got a major tournament coming in. For the entire length
of your career, is no off season at tennis, and
I think it's one of the things that I used
to debble with tennis a little bit myself. But tennis
is a very mental game, and it's also a physical game.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
How do you stay motivated.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
In tough matches or when you've got additional pressure of
being in front of the home crowd.
Speaker 9 (30:19):
The motivation I think has been is such a key.
Speaker 10 (30:23):
You know, you have to be playing for something that
that you love, and I've always loved the game of
tennis and it's something I've Alwa's been very passionate about.
And I think you just have to channel that extra pressure.
And you know, you got you got a little bit
extra pressure. You got people watching you know, you've talked
about for ten or twelve years and then that you
play tennis and they've never watched you before and now
I'm finally here to watch you, and so it.
Speaker 9 (30:44):
Does add a bit of extra pressure.
Speaker 10 (30:46):
But it's just it's just about how you channel it
into into a positive experience. The fact that you're you're
fortunate enough that you're able to play in front of
your home crowd, and that that you that you worked
you've worked hard enough to get to this point, and
I think kind of looking at everything in that positive
light really makes it is gonna make it a good experience,
because if you dwell on and dwell on, like if
(31:07):
you're winning or losing matches in the end, you're not
gonna enjoy yourself and the people watching aren't going to
be enjoying it.
Speaker 9 (31:12):
Too much either.
Speaker 10 (31:13):
So just making sure you're like in the end, like
you're enjoying yourself on the court, you're staying positive and
you're and you're just working as hard as you can
out there.
Speaker 9 (31:22):
I think that's what's most important.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
That was Declan Walsh talking about preparing for the Candid
Games coming up next we'll talk about what it's like
to compete at home, and what he's looking forward to
most and what device he has for younger athletes dreaming
of taking the same stage one day.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Stick around, because we're right back after the.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Breaks, you're listening to what we broadcast up the Wellness
and Healthy lifestyle show with doctor Mike Wall and listen
live Thursday nights at seven pm and Sunday's at four pm.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
Welcome Backward joined by tennis player Declan Walsh from Team Newfoundland.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
In this segment, he'll talk about what it's like.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
To represent the province, especially when it's on his home turf,
and how it adds to both the pressure and the
pride of it.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
We'll also get Decline's thoughts.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
On what people should watch for during the game and
what avice he has for the next generation of athletes.
Let's finish up our conversation with Declin. For folks that
have never been to a Canada Games before, besides checking
out the tennis which is obviously going to be one
of the best events, what would you recommend people do
to take in the most they can during the Canaday Games.
Speaker 10 (32:25):
So, as an athlete, the Canada Games is it's when
I walked in for the first time, it's not it's
nothing like I expected, and it was. It was so
it was so positive in every single aspect because it's
so much more than just You're not just going there
to play to play your sport and to play play
your games and leave there's so much more going, so
(32:47):
much more going around. It's it's really just an incredible
experience overall. There's so many chances to socialize with people
from other teams, other provinces, and you get to meet
so many new people, and there's and there's people I've
met at the Canada Games that I'm still in contact
with now and and I definitely think that pit after
this Candy Games, there will be more people that I
(33:09):
continue to stay in touch with. So I think as
an athlete, just there's that there's that extra piece that
you wouldn't get a normal tournament, whether it be with
any sport, you know, because it's something bigger and it's
such a big event. There's so many people to talk
to and there's lots of events. Like one of one
of the things that I think of most is.
Speaker 9 (33:25):
Is the pin trading.
Speaker 10 (33:26):
And going into my first Canada Games, you know, you're
you're giving a set of pins, and you're just and
you you're kind of just on the fence about it.
You're like, am I really gonna be like going up
and trading pins with people?
Speaker 9 (33:38):
But in the end, I was.
Speaker 10 (33:39):
I got it got very intense towards the end I was.
I was very excited about the pin trading. And I
still got my my lanyard and all the pins on
It's still on it on my desk in my room.
I look at the pins pretty much every day, and
it's it's pretty it's pretty cool because you kind of
got you got yourself a piece of every province you know,
and uh and you know, you have different trading stories
(34:01):
and memories from just meeting different people. So as an athlete,
it is so much more than just the games that
you play. As a fan, there's gonna be there's so
many different events that you can go to. I do
encourage anyone in the city that is even a little
bit interesting, definitely try try your best to make it
(34:25):
out to some games to get some tickets. There's gonna
be a lot, not only tennis, but any sport. There's
gonna be lots of high level games happening all around.
I know, if I get some spare of time, I'll
be heading over to some different sports as well myself.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
That's fantastic, And you're right, there is gonna be so
much happening with cultural festivals, There's gonna be events everywhere.
There's gonna be events outside of town as well. It's
out of Saint John's metro area, so people are looking
at participating that might be.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
Slay inside of town.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
That's of course, there's gonna be lots of folks coming
in to check out the games. Now, if there's young
athletes listening to this today, you know you've been down
this road before. How has being involved in sport candid games,
but other sport changes a person. I'll give you a
bit of context for this. I played sports a long
time ago, and some of the memories I had from
(35:11):
sport really maybe the person I am today sort of
shaped a lot of my trajectory. How what would you
tell somebody about why is important to get active and
get involved in something like sport.
Speaker 10 (35:22):
I think sport is for children and kids, young kids.
I think it's one of the most important things that
you can get involved in because not only is it
improving your physical health, but it's also it's it sets
the grounds for so many different things you can learn
along the way, especially when it comes to tournaments and
it comes to high competitive events. It teaches you how
(35:45):
to how to deal with a bit of pressure. As
you mentioned earlier, it teaches you just how to stay motivated,
and how to learn and how to learn from losses,
and how to how to win respectfully. And I think
that's so important for anyone that anyone just in life
in general. So I do believe sport can can offer that.
(36:05):
And it's something something I've always loved and playing playing tennis,
it's you're playing from you're playing more than just the game,
but you're playing for yourself and you have to make
sure in the end you're respecting yourself and your opponents
end of the game itself. So I do believe that
sports sport can offer so much for young athletes and
especially for the ones I do a bit of coaching myself,
(36:26):
and hopefully some of the kids that I coach will
get to come out and watch watch some of the
tennis and in any any sport really and it's I
hope it is encouraging for them, and it's it's a
factor in their motivation when they see when they see
these high competitive matches to continue and to and really
strive from for the next level of success that they
(36:47):
could have, whether it be the twenty twenty nine Canady Games,
if it's if anything, so, I think it's really important
for for all young athletes to get a try and
get a chance to watch the matches at the Canady Games.
Speaker 3 (36:59):
For sure, I agree.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
I couldn't agree more.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
And you know, so that brings me to a last
question I got for you, and that is is highly competitive.
You're competing against the best athletes and the problems as
are or in the country, as are every other athlete
from our province and from around the country.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
What does what does success look like to you?
Speaker 1 (37:16):
Is it?
Speaker 10 (37:16):
Is it coming home with the medal or is there
something else? I don't think success is necessarily coming home
with the medal. I think in the end, it's how
for me the most important thing that I want to
do is represent my problems. Well, I think making sure
that in the end, I'm representing you from a Labrador
by going out there and working really hard every single
(37:37):
point of every single match, making sure I'm respecting my opponents,
the officials, everyone around. I think that's that's that's vital.
And I think that's something that you know, sometimes forgotten
in sports, just just the piece of respect in sportsmanship,
and I think that's above anything, that's the most important thing.
And yeah, in the end, like if you're playing if
(37:59):
you're playing with lats Sopride for your home province, I
think that's the most important thing.
Speaker 9 (38:02):
I think that's what success looks like.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
That's fantastic. I think we're really lucky to have ambassadors
like you and the other athletes are going to compete.
I know you're going to make us proud. Good luck
with all your training, and thank you so much for
joining me today.
Speaker 9 (38:14):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
And that's a wrap on this special Candid Games edition
of the Welmson Healthy Lifestyle Show. Thank you to Karen
Sheriffs for giving us a behind the scenes look at
the heart and the hustle of organizing the games, and
to Declan Walsh for sharing what it feels like to
be an athlete experiencing the games right here at home.
Whether you're a fan, of volunteer, or just feeling the
energy of the games around us, this is a moment
(38:38):
to celebrate youth sport and community here at Newfouland and Labrador.
Now you can follow all the action and hopefully check
out all sorts of events at the Candid Games this summer,
and if you need information, you can find their website
easily online.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Well that's our show this week, I'm your host, doctor
Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
We'll see you back here next week for another episode
of The Wilmson Healthy Lifestyle Show, a Stingray podcast network
in your VIOCM
Welcome to the Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle show on your VOCM.
Now here's your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the show. I'm your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
This week, we're shining the spotlight on one of the
most exciting events Newfoundland and Labrador has ever hosted, the
Canada's Summer Games.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
It's celebration of sport, youth.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
And community, and we're speaking with two.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Guests who are right at the heart of it all.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
First up, we have Karen Sheriffs, the CEO of the
Canada Games Host Society. Karen has been leading the team
behind the scenes, managing and planning logistics and community partnerships
that make this event possible. She'll share what we can
expect when the Games begin, and how it's all coming
together and what kind of legacy she hopes this leaves
for our province. Later in the show, we'll hear from
(00:49):
Declan Walsh, the tennis player representing Team Newfoundland. This will
be his second Canada Games, this time he's playing at home.
Declan will walk us through what it means to wear
the provincial colors and how he's trained for the moment
and why this experience is one He and the other.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Athletes will never forget.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
We have lots to cover. So let's get to our
interview with Karen Sheriff's. Hi, Karen, welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Hi, thanks for having me well, I.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Really appreciate you taking the time. I can only imagine
how busy things are for you right now. We are
leading up to the Canada Games and obviously you have
a very important role that why don't you tell our
listeners a little bit about yourself and what you have
planned for our community this summer for sure.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
So I am the CEO of the twenty twenty five
Canada Games Host Society and being part of the journey
from start to finish in leading the city with an
amazing bid committee.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
There's a whole bit.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
Process in twenty twenty, in the twenty twenty one and
being an awarded at the Games, and the opportunity to
start planning for this amazing event. Last time I was
hosted here in our province in on the east coast
of the province in Saint John was in nineteen seventy
seven and Cornberg hosted the nineteen ninety nine Candon Winter Games.
(02:06):
So you know, it's been a long time and we're
excited to bring the Games back to Newfolin and Labrador.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Well, that's right, and they're going to be running for
a good chunk of the summer here. Why don't you
give us the dates and some of the locations it's
going to be located in, because it's not going to
be just centralized one location.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
The games will run from August eighth to the twenty fifth,
with our opening ceremonies on the ninth of August and
closing on the twenty fourth. We have been really lucky
to partner with the surrounding communities of Mount Pearl, Conception Based,
South Paradise, Loi Bay, Middicobe, Agricove, which will all be
hosting a variety of sporting events as well as part
(02:47):
of our artistic and festival program and MEMORIALA University, another
wonderful community partner, will be Home, the home away from
home as the athlete's village for the Games, So they.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Are going to be housing that We will have.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Over almost fifty two hundred athletes, coaches and managers coming
over the two week period.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Wow, that's unbelievable. Yes, we expect to see it a
busy time up here on campus, that's for sure, and
that's great.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Well, be a buzz for the end of our Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I can't wait.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
And I think that when we talk about Canada Games
being the host of the Canada Games, there's a really
big knockoff benefit to the communities. When you talk about
the opportunities for the athlete, that's a huge part of
the course, but there's also a big economic and infrastructure
boost that's going to benefit us for quite a while,
not only just this summer, but in the future.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (03:39):
Absolutely, the economic impact is so significant for the Games.
The past number of games have seen anywhere from one
hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty million just
for the eighteen days of the game, so really tremendous. Uh.
It just gives that boost to community. We're welcoming the
country to our province, center, our surround, our areas, our cities,
(04:02):
our municipalities, our towns, and you will see every restaurant, hotel,
car rental tours, location aboves with activity, you know, and
also an amazing opportunity and something for the whole community
to experience from this and take in the amazing sports
(04:22):
nineteen different sports, artistic and cultural program that will be
launched today and you know it's it's just really phenomenal.
So you know, every bit of our decision making is
really about what is the benefit to community well after
the eighteen days of the Games, and what we can
(04:43):
continue to do.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
With you know, infrastructure upgrades.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
We have twenty five capitals projects value almost eighty million dollars.
Everything from every piece of equipment that we're buying, how
we leave it back in community, water organizations can benefit
from it. Decision making on that is for every single
procured item of our home society.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
It's unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And I think about the student or the athlete training
programs that are going to come from it. Whenever you
see Olympics for example, or Canada Games, the infrastructure that's
left there, what's that problen is a bit of an
advantage in the future when it comes to being more competitive.
And I'm a huge advocate for sports. I played sports
my whole life and I think that adds a lot
to the education of our young people. How do you guys, like,
(05:28):
what are some examples of some of the infrastructure projects
you've added to when it comes to sports in the province.
Speaker 6 (05:34):
Yeah, I mean I think a couple of really big
ones right now would be you know, the Accuring was
built for the seventy seven Games.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
The Accuring is truly a gym in Atlantic Canada.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
A sixty five meter pool, you know, a three to
five it is seven to ten meter platform diving, you know,
complex springboards.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Three and one meter.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
You know, it's just really phenomenal and as you look
at the rest of the country to have a facility
like this to help athletes train, arm our swimmers, artistic swimmers,
are divers, any aquatic sports really you know, they have
that renewed renovation to that that facility, you know, the mechanical,
the electrical, the air circulation, I mean everything. Just to
(06:18):
hopefully that this will go on for another thirty plus
years and you know, would be such a good asset
to the community host future events.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
It's that's a big one.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
The Forda's Cande Games Complex, the new athletics facility is
state of the art. It's going to be amazing. I
cannot wait to see all these athletes start training and
the general public on this as well as you know,
a FIFAS certified turf soccer facility as well. At the
fortest Cande Games Complex, So you know things like that,
(06:50):
the Green Belt Dome full replacement there, an additional cord
inside just looks tremendous mountain bikers.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
The three pum Barn trails in Pippy Park.
Speaker 6 (07:04):
I mean, while of the story that is we've had
athletes help work on that, contractors, local community organizations.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Currently Skills Park is being built up.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
There is another legacy piece with Amba and it's just
you know, to see.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
That this infrastructure being able to be left behind.
Speaker 6 (07:24):
Paradise Building has built new beach volleyball courts and you
know we'll host lacrosse, Amazing turf surfaces coming into the
double ice rinks there. So just that whole ability to
look at different sports, leave infrastructure back here, upgrades to
your fields in Mount.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Pearl, Saint Pat's turboot.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
We're just like thrilled with the ability to be able
to do that. And it really to have host the
Candy Games really leverages the funding to be able to
put so much need to work back in facilities.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
I love that and you know, when you think about
the athletes that are coming, because he has to show
it off. My nephew is in the front running potentially
to make it. He's in a very competitive sport and
he's in the running to be here. It's a last
minute edition, but if they come here, we have a
chance to show off our province. And I think right now,
more than ever, people are touring around their own country
and people from around the world are looking for options
(08:23):
in Canada to visit. Do you think this is going
to be an opportunity for us to showcase what we
have in our own backyard in Canada to a lot
of people, not only the athletes, but the families that
are coming here.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I think it absolutely is.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Not only are we amazing hosts here in newfoland Labrador,
we are also a bucket list for a lot of
people who haven't gotten here yet. To our proms, and
we're hearing from so many we are going to be
the largest ever Canada Games with the number of athletes
who will be attending, and a companying them will be
(08:58):
parents and grand parents and sisters and then spell friends,
and we're just hearing such a bass about people so
excited to get here. We have one of the smiles.
I've been lucky. This will be my tenth Canada Games
that I've been proud of and This is certainly one
of the smallest footprints of the games I've ever seen.
So the ability to check out canoe kayak down at
(09:20):
Kiddyvidy or and then head to a soccer game, but
head out the paradise to watch lacrosse or CBS is
to catch sailing like you have such an opportunity to
see multiple things in such a close knit area, as
well as for athletes to go and chair on their teams,
chair on other athletes check out other sports, which is
really the beauty of a multi games game sport, you know,
(09:45):
games event like the Canada Games is so where I
just think they're just in for such a treat. I
think they're gonna feel our hospitality, They're going to feel
the culture. We will have a fourteen day program that
is going to be absolutely amazing, the celebration of our
(10:06):
rich and diverse culture, also honoring our indigenous and Francophone
heritage for local artists and also artists from across the country.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
So a lot of way to showcase. So you get
to see amazing.
Speaker 6 (10:18):
Sports and also to get to take in a great
fescimal program as well.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
That was Karen Sheriff, so she walked us through the
incredible scope well planning behind the Canada Games. Coming up next,
we'll talk about what this event means for the community
and the kinds of long term impact that it could have.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
We'll be right back after the break. Welcome back.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
We're continuing our conversation with Karen Sheriff's CEO of the
Host Society for the Canada Games. In this segment, we'll
talk about the Games as more than just an event.
We'll explore its legacy, community engagement, and long term vision
behind bringing the Canada Games to newfound and Labrador.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Let's get back to it.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
And I think that there's something you said for athletes,
So you compete on their home soil too, They're gonna
have the hometown crowd behind them.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
What's that goingd of you like for them?
Speaker 7 (11:07):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (11:07):
I you know, like I said, I've I've been on
the mission staff side, the assistant chef and chef, the
mission side, and I've seen our athletes compete in in
you know, every other province and territory and you know,
you see that home crowd, you know, show up to
support our athletes and like stadiums pull like they've probably
(11:30):
never seen before, arena's fields, you name it. I just
think it's such a special moment and for these athletes,
a lot of them, this is the highest competition they
will compete at. Others will go on to be part
of Team Canada or professional sport. But I don't think
there's anything like representing walking out on the field with
(11:51):
your home province, you know, sporting team Newfomland and the
Labrador and that feeling that the crowd's really cheering you out,
of supporting you from start to Phoenician.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
I think they're in for a real treat. And I'm
not even sure everyone realizes just.
Speaker 6 (12:07):
How special that's going to be walking into opening ceremonies
or closing ceremonies and you know, walking into the soccer
field and I'm you know, I I guess goosebumps thinking
about it because I've seen them.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
In action and other games than know how special it is.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
And imagine being here in front of everybody who's supported you.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Yeah, New Slang crowd is a different type crowd too.
I think we're going to demonstrate that to theentry, which is.
Speaker 7 (12:33):
Great exactly and get out of a cheer thee all
the all the sports that you don't even you might
be a true you know baseball fan, which is amazing,
get out and see all the other sports are just
something to watch in action.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yeah, we can't wait to go check it out ourselves.
And I think that's important. And you know, this doesn't
happen with the people volunteering in the community getting behind it.
And what's the sponsoring from the public when it comes
to volunteers.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Oh my gosh, I don't even know if I can
say enough about it.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
We are currently we're fifty days out. We have a
forty eight one hundred volunteers registered. We're almost there, two
hundred more to go. It truly takes every single one
of these volunteers to help.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
They are the heartbeat of the games.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
I think they're also in for trade and experience and
just getting to be at these venues meet so many
different people. We have one hundred and fifty different roles,
thirty one thousand hours of shifts to fill for eighteen days.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
There is truly something for everybody.
Speaker 6 (13:39):
We are just have been overwhelmed with the response to
date and how dedicated people have been to over four
hundred planning volunteers actively involved for the last.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Year year and a half.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
You know, our Board of directors you know, Kim Keat
and Carol Smith to co chair that, an amazing group
of board, but been with since the very beginning, and
just to have that, just to have that true feel
of bringing the community together. And I think now more
than ever, we need to really refocus on how we
(14:14):
get back to communities and volunteering. And this database volunteers like,
the skill sets they will have, the training they will have,
and the opportunity to leave a database like this back
in our community for future events, I think is really
phenomenal and another key legacy piece for us.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, fantastic. Well, hopefully this episode puts it on the
top of those last two hundred volunteers. That's a call
to anybody listening. Great way to get involved. An incredible organization.
When it comes to this, there has to be challenges
when it comes to the logistical side of things.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Well've been your biggest one. You guys have probably faced
a few.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, you know we have, and I'm just I'm so
proud to say that we've really conquered many of our challenges.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
You know, infrastructure was a big one.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
We are on an island, we had aging infrastructure, We
needed some new infrastructure to be built, and we're working
with you know, twenty five capital projects, so you know,
working with different venue owners and contractors, and you know,
our timeline is not moving on August eighth, and just
working with everybody to ensure.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
That all the venues are ready.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
And I'm really really pleased to say I cannot think
that people have involved in each and every single project
in terms of you know, maintaining timelines and pushing things
to be ready for us for games time.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
It's just really been phenomenal.
Speaker 6 (15:36):
And also no easy feat to attract spot thousand people
to give up their time and.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Volunteer for the game.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
You know, that's another huge obstacle and you know milestone
that we're also meeting now, but certainly as you start
the process that that seems very daunting. It in early
just year ago, launching our volunte program and again people
giving up the time and commitment to help us execute
these games is really phenomenal. And we had to be
(16:09):
very forward thinking in supply chain, getting things here, making
sure our ordering was done well in events, because we
are on island that things have to.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Come and you know, our world has been a.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
Little tipsy, topsy, dirty recently and just making sure we're
meeting all the expectations and needs of everybody while also
maintaining a very athlete focused decision making model to ensure
that decisions we are making are about the athletes and
their experience that they will have.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
It's fantastic and of course, definitely it is always about
the athletes. And yes, I think it's going to be
an amazing program. You guys have been working out for
a long time. I know a lot of the people
on your board and I've been talking about this since
it was first announced, and maybe a lot of people
may not understand that it's not.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Just about the sports itself.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Obviously, it's about a chance to show off the community,
also a chance to have some cultural programming. Can you
explain what will be going on when it comes to
that part.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Of the program.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Yeah, we will have, like I said, an artistic festival
and culture program which is presented by Celebrate and ill
as we celebrate fifty days out from the Games. Our
program will be called Arta Vista and a beautiful logo
I will accompany the artistic program. It will be from
(17:29):
August tenth to the twenty fourth. We will have a
variety of free, family friendly entertainment, experience, community initiatives activities taking.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Place across the whole avalon.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
So all our community partners will be having events. We
will be at the distriy Mall, the Artavista Hub will
be at the Convention Center will They'll be merchandised our
music there daily. It's just going to be really such
a feel, you know, showcasing our talents here and our
(18:03):
talents across the country. There's truly something for everybody. Partners
like the rooms have come on board, who will have
an exhibit there, And you know, we're just we're really
thrilled with lot's going to come from that and the
diversity within the within the Artavista program.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yeah, there's you know, you've I've sure been thinking a
lot about making sure this goes smoothly, looking at the
day to day logistics, focusing on all the things that
will go right, but you know you must have a
goal for what this long term vision will be. Like,
what do you hope the legacy of these games are
for people of the province.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
Yeah, you know, our day to day decision making is
really around you know, while we look at everything from
games home it's truly athlete focused and what we are
going to do for those athletes. We look at the bigger,
larger decisions around the legacy and impact of the games.
So you know, everything from the new and improved infrastructure.
(19:07):
Our legacy plan is robust, you know, with a variety
of pillars, and that's everything from a financial legacy fund,
post games, equipment, supplies, TVs, it stuff, where it's all going.
Where we meet every two weeks now and to discuss
every procured item and why where it's going. Something gets
(19:30):
transfer to future games, but really looking at our own community,
community organizations who could really benefit from the assets that
we have here.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
The people are huge.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
That volunteer component is I think five thousand volunteers.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
That's not something you get to say every.
Speaker 6 (19:47):
Single day, and that's still set the experience and that
they will have post games. Being involved in something like
that is really something our sustainability we're aiming to be.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
We will be the greenest games ever.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
We are doing in large amount of research and benchmarking
for future games initiatives within our own program, leaving you know,
water field stations behind at many many venues and to
be used at future events. Just creating that green every
capital project to head an element of energy efficiency.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
And how we would do that.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Everything's being track to be able to show the magnitude
of that piece of afterwards honor or official training, you know,
and for each of the sports. So this is a
pretty you know, robust list of things.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
I could keep going.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
On and on, but really something key. You know, we
launched the torch was lit last week in Autumwa. So
also how do we how do we connect the rest
of the province to the games And you know, happy
to say the torch will be torture re Label'll be
starting in a week from Saturday and port A bask
and just how exciting to bring that to fifteen different
(21:06):
communities across the province.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
And you know, so we're really really excited.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
But I think the impact is significant and it's truly
a goal of our host society.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
From the very beginning to ensure we make that impact.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
That's amazing and I hope people get a chance to
really check this out. I highly highly encourage it. I
was a boulcan of games when I was younger, and
it's an amazing experience for people to witness themselves. And
also another knockoff will be that they'll be the next
generation watching and they'll be inspired. And that's great for
our community as well, which I think is important. If
people want to check out the games and they want
(21:42):
to get tickets and they want to see what events
around and go, how do they find out more?
Speaker 4 (21:47):
Go to our website.
Speaker 6 (21:48):
We have everything on our website ww dot twenty twenty five,
CANDI games dot Ca, but also download our app.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
Our app will be the true hobb of communications throughout
the game.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
That there's delays, there will be notifications coming out, if
there's exciting things happening.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
You can get tickets, merchandise, you name it on our app.
Speaker 6 (22:09):
And really we are the first games to have an
app like this and excited to have. We have thousands
of downloads already and we know it's just going to
continue to increase. So yeah, our ticket sales are going
quite well. Opening closing ceremonies currently sold out. We are
(22:29):
actively looking for other options around that piece to get
a few more people.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Into the venue.
Speaker 6 (22:34):
But ah, you know, there's day passes, there's sports specific passes,
there's week one, week two, full game passes, so really
you can take as much as you want in through
these passes and our middle tickets will be going on
sale in July.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Fantastic. Well, I just want to say thanks so much
for taking the time.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
I know how busy you are and I know how
much work you and your team will put into it,
but a big thank you for our whole community for
all the effort you've put into this, and I look.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Forward to witness the success of all your hard work.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
There's an amazing team of staff and volunteers with this
host Society who are working tirelessly and so enthusiastic and
with so much passion.
Speaker 4 (23:20):
I really can't thank them enough.
Speaker 6 (23:22):
It's been an amazing team effort by everybody who's been involved.
So thank you for having me here today and the
opportunity to talk about the games.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
A big thanks to Karen for giving us a view
of the candidate games behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
After the break will switch gears.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
And here from an athlete competing in the games, Team
Newfoundland's Declan Walsh, who's stepping onto the court for a
second time, but now on home soil.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Joining us now is Declan Walsh, a tennis player representing
Team Newfounland. He's a returning apth to the Canada Games
and this time he's competing in front of a hometown crowd.
He has lots of insights to share with us. So
let's get to our conversation.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
With Declan Walsh. Hey, Deklan, welcome to the show.
Speaker 9 (24:11):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
It's fantastic Dabbie here. It's great to talk to an athlete.
He's going to be going to the Games. But for
our listeners who are just meeting you, maybe you could
give us a little bit of info about yourself.
Speaker 9 (24:22):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 10 (24:23):
So my name is Declan Walsh. I'm seventeen years old
right now. I'm going going to my final year a
Gonzaia High School in September. And so I've been playing
tennis now since since I was about five or six
years old. I've loved it ever since. I've been playing
competitive tournaments now for about nine years. I was fortunate
(24:44):
enough to play in the twenty twenty two Canada Games
in Niagara and I'm very excited to play my second
Canada Games right here at all.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah, that's fantastic, And I guess that's the big question
for you, right now. I mean, how does it feel
heading back to the Games, especially what it's here in
for Lenna and Labrador. You know, what's what's your energy level?
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Are you more excited this time than you were last time?
Speaker 9 (25:06):
Yeah? For sure.
Speaker 10 (25:06):
It's it's definitely a different different VOD going into into
this Canada Games. I do have the experience now of
having one under my delt, but having it having at
home is something that's going to be very, very special.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
It's going to be in the an.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
Atmosphere around the games, not only on the court, but
off the court and around the city in general. It's
just gonna it's gonna be something really special, I believe.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
And you must have been pretty young going to the
Games last time. You know what I have put you as
one of the younger athletes. You're going away from home,
you go into a huge tournament against some of the
best players in the entire country. Some of them could
end up being the next tennis player. This is on
the international stage, because we've had some really good ones
over the years come out of cannot tell you what
was your experience like at the first Games.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Do you have like a favorite memory from it?
Speaker 9 (25:52):
Yeah, there's there's.
Speaker 10 (25:54):
A a lot of great memories that that I have
of the first games, And as you mentioned, I was
a little bit younger, so most of the team was
older than me, so I was kind of kind of
the rookie going into going into the first games. And
it'll be interesting because it's kind of the roles are
flipped now, so I'm more of a senior role in
my second Canada games is one of the older players.
So it's definitely going to be a different, different experience
(26:16):
like that in terms of in terms of the team itself.
But uh, thinking thinking back to one of my favorite memories,
one of the biggest things about tennis is you.
Speaker 9 (26:25):
Know, you're it's a solo sport.
Speaker 10 (26:27):
You're out there on your own most of the time,
and most of the time when you're when you're traveling
to tournaments and different events around the country, you know
you're you're going going with yourself and that maybe your
parents and your coach, but that's that's pretty much it.
That's that's about all you have going with you, right,
And I think just some of my favorite memories come
from the fact that you had a team behind you,
and you had a team cheering you on at the games,
(26:49):
and I think that's something that I've I always loved
about Canada games. You only you only have the tennis
team behind you, but you you're really you were playing
for something bigger. You're playing for your home province, right,
And so that's something that I always look back on
and just all the matches where you know, you see
the New Land flag in the stands, you have your
team behind you sharing So I think those sorts of
memories always live on with me.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Yeah, and now you're going to be doing it on
your home turf, at places you played your whole life,
places like Green Bells. I'm sure you've probably played tons
and tons of times, countless times at this point. Are
you looking forward to showing off your home? I mean,
after the competition is over, you must have friends from
all of the country you played tennis with that you're
going to be able to show them a little bit
around your stop and ground.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Is that going to be part of it for you?
Speaker 10 (27:35):
It's going to be something. Yeah, that's very special to me.
There really hasn't been an event as big as this.
That's that I've been able to play playing at home,
you know, our last summer games here in the province
was ninety or was for the Summer Games was nineteen
seventy seven, and.
Speaker 9 (27:53):
That was a long time before me.
Speaker 10 (27:55):
So I'm excited for such a big event to return
back to Saint John's and I think, yeah, like it's
you know, you're always traveling for those big tournaments, but
to be able to be home and to have the
home crowd behind you during during the matches, it's gonna
be something that really I've never experienced before.
Speaker 9 (28:14):
And I'm excited.
Speaker 10 (28:15):
I know I have other people who are competing in
the Games in the second week who may probably watch friends, families,
So it's gonna be it's gonna be really exciting.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
That's cool. Even I wasn't born in nineteen seventy seven.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
That's how long it'll go.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
It was so so that's saying something. Now, one of
the advantages you have, you're gonna be a little bit
more arrested. Maybe you're not jet legging and different time zones.
You've got your own bed at the end of the day.
You've also got your coaches and the people you train
with around you. What's your training them like leading up
to this point. I'm guessing it's a pretty intense so.
Speaker 10 (28:46):
We're about six weeks six weeks out from the games now,
so it's some we're really we're really just getting that game,
that last leg of training in, getting as many practice
matches as you can can be, traveling, playing, playing a
few adult tournaments around the around the island, now, getting
some preparations, some match play in.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
So it's really just.
Speaker 10 (29:05):
Just fine tuning some things from here on out, just
for making sure I've been feeling good about my game
and I'm getting.
Speaker 9 (29:10):
Lost lots of court.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
Yeah, so I mean, you know, you're balancing school everything
and you're also doing this at a very competitive level.
What's your week look like for training?
Speaker 10 (29:21):
So yeah, so thankfully now school's all over, so exams
have finished up, so it does allow me a lot
more time to train, and so the team does trained
together a little bit, but then it's also you're on
your own doing whether it's arranging hits with other players,
other people who might want to come out, do a
(29:41):
practice set, a practice match, and of course the fitness
fiece off the court, so you know, the running and
all the training that goes along with that. So all
that's really important leading into the games.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
Yeah, that's true. And you know, people forget that one
of the hardest sports in the world to play competitively
for a career is tennis, because every three months you've
got a major tournament coming in. For the entire length
of your career, is no off season at tennis, and
I think it's one of the things that I used
to debble with tennis a little bit myself. But tennis
is a very mental game, and it's also a physical game.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
How do you stay motivated.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
In tough matches or when you've got additional pressure of
being in front of the home crowd.
Speaker 9 (30:19):
The motivation I think has been is such a key.
Speaker 10 (30:23):
You know, you have to be playing for something that
that you love, and I've always loved the game of
tennis and it's something I've Alwa's been very passionate about.
And I think you just have to channel that extra pressure.
And you know, you got you got a little bit
extra pressure. You got people watching you know, you've talked
about for ten or twelve years and then that you
play tennis and they've never watched you before and now
I'm finally here to watch you, and so it.
Speaker 9 (30:44):
Does add a bit of extra pressure.
Speaker 10 (30:46):
But it's just it's just about how you channel it
into into a positive experience. The fact that you're you're
fortunate enough that you're able to play in front of
your home crowd, and that that you that you worked
you've worked hard enough to get to this point, and
I think kind of looking at everything in that positive
light really makes it is gonna make it a good experience,
because if you dwell on and dwell on, like if
(31:07):
you're winning or losing matches in the end, you're not
gonna enjoy yourself and the people watching aren't going to
be enjoying it.
Speaker 9 (31:12):
Too much either.
Speaker 10 (31:13):
So just making sure you're like in the end, like
you're enjoying yourself on the court, you're staying positive and
you're and you're just working as hard as you can
out there.
Speaker 9 (31:22):
I think that's what's most important.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
That was Declan Walsh talking about preparing for the Candid
Games coming up next we'll talk about what it's like
to compete at home, and what he's looking forward to
most and what device he has for younger athletes dreaming
of taking the same stage one day.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Stick around, because we're right back after the.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Breaks, you're listening to what we broadcast up the Wellness
and Healthy lifestyle show with doctor Mike Wall and listen
live Thursday nights at seven pm and Sunday's at four pm.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
Welcome Backward joined by tennis player Declan Walsh from Team Newfoundland.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
In this segment, he'll talk about what it's like.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
To represent the province, especially when it's on his home turf,
and how it adds to both the pressure and the
pride of it.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
We'll also get Decline's thoughts.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
On what people should watch for during the game and
what avice he has for the next generation of athletes.
Let's finish up our conversation with Declin. For folks that
have never been to a Canada Games before, besides checking
out the tennis which is obviously going to be one
of the best events, what would you recommend people do
to take in the most they can during the Canaday Games.
Speaker 10 (32:25):
So, as an athlete, the Canada Games is it's when
I walked in for the first time, it's not it's
nothing like I expected, and it was. It was so
it was so positive in every single aspect because it's
so much more than just You're not just going there
to play to play your sport and to play play
your games and leave there's so much more going, so
(32:47):
much more going around. It's it's really just an incredible
experience overall. There's so many chances to socialize with people
from other teams, other provinces, and you get to meet
so many new people, and there's and there's people I've
met at the Canada Games that I'm still in contact
with now and and I definitely think that pit after
this Candy Games, there will be more people that I
(33:09):
continue to stay in touch with. So I think as
an athlete, just there's that there's that extra piece that
you wouldn't get a normal tournament, whether it be with
any sport, you know, because it's something bigger and it's
such a big event. There's so many people to talk
to and there's lots of events. Like one of one
of the things that I think of most is.
Speaker 9 (33:25):
Is the pin trading.
Speaker 10 (33:26):
And going into my first Canada Games, you know, you're
you're giving a set of pins, and you're just and
you you're kind of just on the fence about it.
You're like, am I really gonna be like going up
and trading pins with people?
Speaker 9 (33:38):
But in the end, I was.
Speaker 10 (33:39):
I got it got very intense towards the end I was.
I was very excited about the pin trading. And I
still got my my lanyard and all the pins on
It's still on it on my desk in my room.
I look at the pins pretty much every day, and
it's it's pretty it's pretty cool because you kind of
got you got yourself a piece of every province you know,
and uh and you know, you have different trading stories
(34:01):
and memories from just meeting different people. So as an athlete,
it is so much more than just the games that
you play. As a fan, there's gonna be there's so
many different events that you can go to. I do
encourage anyone in the city that is even a little
bit interesting, definitely try try your best to make it
(34:25):
out to some games to get some tickets. There's gonna
be a lot, not only tennis, but any sport. There's
gonna be lots of high level games happening all around.
I know, if I get some spare of time, I'll
be heading over to some different sports as well myself.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
That's fantastic, And you're right, there is gonna be so
much happening with cultural festivals, There's gonna be events everywhere.
There's gonna be events outside of town as well. It's
out of Saint John's metro area, so people are looking
at participating that might be.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
Slay inside of town.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
That's of course, there's gonna be lots of folks coming
in to check out the games. Now, if there's young
athletes listening to this today, you know you've been down
this road before. How has being involved in sport candid games,
but other sport changes a person. I'll give you a
bit of context for this. I played sports a long
time ago, and some of the memories I had from
(35:11):
sport really maybe the person I am today sort of
shaped a lot of my trajectory. How what would you
tell somebody about why is important to get active and
get involved in something like sport.
Speaker 10 (35:22):
I think sport is for children and kids, young kids.
I think it's one of the most important things that
you can get involved in because not only is it
improving your physical health, but it's also it's it sets
the grounds for so many different things you can learn
along the way, especially when it comes to tournaments and
it comes to high competitive events. It teaches you how
(35:45):
to how to deal with a bit of pressure. As
you mentioned earlier, it teaches you just how to stay motivated,
and how to learn and how to learn from losses,
and how to how to win respectfully. And I think
that's so important for anyone that anyone just in life
in general. So I do believe sport can can offer that.
(36:05):
And it's something something I've always loved and playing playing tennis,
it's you're playing from you're playing more than just the game,
but you're playing for yourself and you have to make
sure in the end you're respecting yourself and your opponents
end of the game itself. So I do believe that
sports sport can offer so much for young athletes and
especially for the ones I do a bit of coaching myself,
(36:26):
and hopefully some of the kids that I coach will
get to come out and watch watch some of the
tennis and in any any sport really and it's I
hope it is encouraging for them, and it's it's a
factor in their motivation when they see when they see
these high competitive matches to continue and to and really
strive from for the next level of success that they
(36:47):
could have, whether it be the twenty twenty nine Canady Games,
if it's if anything, so, I think it's really important
for for all young athletes to get a try and
get a chance to watch the matches at the Canady Games.
Speaker 3 (36:59):
For sure, I agree.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
I couldn't agree more.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
And you know, so that brings me to a last
question I got for you, and that is is highly competitive.
You're competing against the best athletes and the problems as
are or in the country, as are every other athlete
from our province and from around the country.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
What does what does success look like to you?
Speaker 1 (37:16):
Is it?
Speaker 10 (37:16):
Is it coming home with the medal or is there
something else? I don't think success is necessarily coming home
with the medal. I think in the end, it's how
for me the most important thing that I want to
do is represent my problems. Well, I think making sure
that in the end, I'm representing you from a Labrador
by going out there and working really hard every single
(37:37):
point of every single match, making sure I'm respecting my opponents,
the officials, everyone around. I think that's that's that's vital.
And I think that's something that you know, sometimes forgotten
in sports, just just the piece of respect in sportsmanship,
and I think that's above anything, that's the most important thing.
And yeah, in the end, like if you're playing if
(37:59):
you're playing with lats Sopride for your home province, I
think that's the most important thing.
Speaker 9 (38:02):
I think that's what success looks like.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
That's fantastic. I think we're really lucky to have ambassadors
like you and the other athletes are going to compete.
I know you're going to make us proud. Good luck
with all your training, and thank you so much for
joining me today.
Speaker 9 (38:14):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
And that's a wrap on this special Candid Games edition
of the Welmson Healthy Lifestyle Show. Thank you to Karen
Sheriffs for giving us a behind the scenes look at
the heart and the hustle of organizing the games, and
to Declan Walsh for sharing what it feels like to
be an athlete experiencing the games right here at home.
Whether you're a fan, of volunteer, or just feeling the
energy of the games around us, this is a moment
(38:38):
to celebrate youth sport and community here at Newfouland and Labrador.
Now you can follow all the action and hopefully check
out all sorts of events at the Candid Games this summer,
and if you need information, you can find their website
easily online.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Well that's our show this week, I'm your host, doctor
Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
We'll see you back here next week for another episode
of The Wilmson Healthy Lifestyle Show, a Stingray podcast network
in your VIOCM
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