7.21.2022
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BY
Stacy Dunn
Volunteer Spotlight: Lori Robinson
The 2023 Canada Games Host Society was happy to catch up with North Tryon’s Lori Robinson who hopes to complete the Games cycle this February while adding “Games-time volunteer” to her already stellar Canada Games resume.
Having represented Prince Edward Island as an athlete in Cape Breton in 1987, a spectator in PEI in 1991 and 2009, and a coach in Red Deer in 2019, Robinson saw the hard work volunteers put in, so when the opportunity presented itself to volunteer for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in her home province she jumped at the chance.
At the 1987 Canada Winter Games, both Robinson and her brother, Andrew, skipped for the men’s and women’s curling teams representing PEI. Having performed well in recent competitions, Robinson was more than confident in her team’s abilities.
"We were the team to beat as we had won the Canadian Junior Nationals the previous year. We had won the Provincials in 1987 and won the trials to represent PEI at the Games between those wins.
"I remember thinking this is as close to the Olympics as I will ever get. I liked that we were part of the larger Team PEI and we got to meet athletes from sports other than curling all over Canada. It was pretty exciting.”
A passionate and involved member of the Island’s curling community, Robinson transitioned from player to coach ahead of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, to help lead Team PEI, skipped by nephew Nicholas Johnston, into Red Deer.
“I was a proud coach and family member and hoped they were having a good Games experience like I did.”
Curling has long played a huge role in the lives of the Robinson family, starting with her mother who represented the Island at the Canadian Women’s Championships in 1979 and 1980. Following in the footsteps of her parents, Alan and Julia, Robinson hopes to give back to the sporting community by volunteering her time to support Canada Games curling events in February.
“It will be a busy two weeks,” Robinson said. “I look forward to reliving my experience as a player, coach, and spectator as I volunteer.”
In Red Deer, Lori found she had the utmost appreciation for Games-time volunteers. “I saw how valuable the volunteers were to make the Games successful. They would be up early in the morning outside in the cold giving high-fives to athletes as they got on the buses to their venues. Everyone was enjoying themselves. It was amazing.
“People don’t realize all the work the volunteers do, and if they weren’t there, the event wouldn’t be successful.”
After 16 incredible days, the 29th edition of the Canada Games will officially conclude tonight with the Closing Ceremony from Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown at 7:30 PM AST.
There have been records smashed and countless debuts made by athletes here at the 2023 Canada Games, but yesterday, history was made when female boxing got underway on P.E.I.
Curling in Canada is rich in history, with the first curling club established in Montreal in 1807. This morning, 216 years later, another first in Canadian curling history took place as Mixed Doubles Curling made its Canada Games debut at the Montague Curling Club.
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Women’s hockey at the Canada Games returns to P.E.I. where it made its original debut in 1991. In the tournaments since then, numerous Canadian hockey idols have laced up and begun their glorious careers at the Canada Games.
In just six contests this Winter Games, McKenna recorded 29 points including 14 goals, smashing a Canada Games record that stood for 28 years. The previous record for points in a tournament was 27, set by Francois Methot of Quebec in 1995 and tied by Kelsey Tessier of New Brunswick in 2007.
With the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games officially underway, the Canada Games Council (CGC) and the 2023 Host Society are thrilled to celebrate the nation’s top young athletes and their families and friends with the launch of Canada Games House, presented by Canadian Tire.
Let the Games begin! Reminiscent of an Island kitchen party, the athletes were all smiles and a capacity crowd was brought to its feet during the Opening Ceremony of the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games.
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After many years of planning, the town of North Rustico reached a historic milestone today with the opening of Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society is ready to give a warm Maritime welcome to over 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches as they descend on PEI’s friendly shores for the 29th edition of the Canada Games.
It’s only fitting that boxing occurred during Week Two of this year’s Canada Winter Games, coinciding with Women’s History Month, which runs the month of March.
Team Alberta’s figure skater, Lia Cho, is this year’s youngest athlete at Canada Winter Games. She is only 10 years old and stands just over four rulers high.
For the first time in Canada Games history, medals will be awarded in mixed doubles curling. The event made its historic debut this week at the Montague Curling Club.
On day 13 of the 2023 Canada Winter Games, the host province, Prince Edward Island, landed on the podium for the first time. Lucas Macdonald of Stratford, claimed the silver medal in the Men’s +81 kg Judo division Thursday afternoon.
Chants of “Novaaa Scotiaaa” echoed throughout Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in Charlottetown as proud fans watched Ritu Shah and Thomas Ashton add two silver medals to Team Nova Scotia’s growing medal count.
When people speak of the legacy of the 2023 Canada Winter Games the conversation usually focuses on two things, the lifelong memories people take away from the Games and the new sports facilities the Games leave behind.
At the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta’s Evelyn Beaton took home a gold medal for the individual female - 44 kg Judo division.
Sport and competition often draw metaphoric comparisons to life. For PEI’s Crawford family, it’s remarkable how a sport with a tiny target has brought life’s bigger picture into clear view.Sport and competition often draw metaphoric comparisons to life. For PEI’s Crawford family, it’s remarkable how a sport with a tiny target has brought life’s bigger picture into clear view.
Sporting bright green and blue uniforms, the PEI 2023 volunteers are a dedicated and committed group, intent on making sure the Games provide the best possible experience for the young athletes representing their respective provinces and territories.