3rd June 2025: Uniform Presentation to Team Kelowna-Tallinn
Team Kelowna will be attending the Summer Games in Tallinn, Estonia, in early August, to compete in three sports: athletics, beach volleyball and swimming. Nine boys, eight girls and fours coaches were presented with their coveted uniforms by Mayor Tom Dyas and Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogogpogo member Cherie x on a beautiful day in Stuart Park.
Team Kelowna has participated in every International Children’s Games since Kelowna hosted the first non-European Winter Games in 2011. The 17 athletes and 4 coaches competing in Tallinn will join our 318 alumni athletes and 80 alumni coaches who have competed in 13 Summer Sports and 10 Winter Sports across 16 previous Games (12 Summer and 4 Winter).
The International Children’s Games advances its stated objective of promoting worldwide peace and understanding by using sport to gather the world’s youth together, to meet and interact with each other, not only on the field of play but also in a variety of cultural exchanges. By meeting and interacting with one another, youth learn to break down old stereotypes between nations, bringing fresh understanding to international relations in the future.
Today’s youth are our future and we are passionate about building a positive future with them! As Nelson Mandela stated, “Sport has the power to change the world,” and we continue to pursue that positive change.
23rd July 2024: Team Kelowna returns from León, Mexico, with our first medal in soccer
Team Kelowna returned from León, Mexico, with treasured memories and new friendships, as well as the first ever ICG medal awarded to a Kelowna soccer team after a third place finish in the Girls’ Football tournament. A very intense bronze medal match saw Team Kelowna overcome a 0-2 deficit to win the bronze medal 3-2 over Coventry, England!
Our team in the heart of Mexico was the largest-ever delegation that we have sent abroad to an International Children’s Games – twenty three athletes and six coaches were accompanied by our Head of Delegation and City Representative to the León Games. We competed in five different sports – girls’ athletics, girls’ football (soccer), girls’ and boys’ swimming, girls’ and boys’ taekwondo and boys’ volleyball.
Team Kelowna athletes delivered outstanding performances throughout the Games, also registering personal bests in the pool and on the track.
11th June 2024: Uniform Presentation to Team Kelowna-León
A record number of Team Kelowna athletes and coaches are going overseas to the International Children’s Games in León, Mexico, next month. 24 athletes and 6 coaches were presented with their uniforms in Stuart Park by Mayor Tom Dyas and two members of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo – Co-President Paul Maarschalk and New Generations Service Director Cindy Anderson.
Lance Macdonald, President of the Kelowna ICG Committee, informed the team that “the Team Kelowna uniform is highly coveted – not because it is colourful and beautiful (although it is!), but because of what it represents. Those who have worn it before you have represented our city in the finest of manner, establishing an expectation that you must now live up to. Team Kelowna is known to compete fiercely on the pitch, in the pool or gym but we are equally known for being kind, supportive and gracious off the field of play. It is this legacy that is passed on to you. You are now representing Kelowna and it is up to you to continue the tradition of doing so in the finest manner.”
Our athletes will compete in girls’ soccer for the first time, as well as swimming, taekwondo, track & field and boys’ volleyball.
18th July 2023: Team Kelowna athletes shine at the International Children’s Summer Games in Daegu
The ICG Team Kelowna delegation has returned from the 55th International Children’s Summer Games in Daegu, South Korea, with unforgettable memories, new friendships and an impressive medal haul.
One standout performer was Juliet Nicholson, who clinched a silver medal in the 200m Butterfly and a bronze in the 100m Butterfly. In Taekwondo, Alex Hoppe secured a bronze in his weight class.
The Kelowna athletes delivered outstanding performances throughout the Games, with many achieving personal bests and advancing to top 4 finishes in their respective sports.
Bryseia Konkin, the Taekwondo coach for Team Kelowna, had a special connection to these Games. Having competed in Taekwondo at ICG Daegu 2012, she returned as a coach to the very same venue at Keimyung University. Arielle Freisen also returned to the ICG as a supporter, having competed in Taekwondo at ICG NewTaipei City 2016.
Over 2500 delegates from 62 cities, representing 27 countries, took part in the Daegu Games.
Lance Macdonald, President of the Kelowna ICG Committee, commended the incredible atmosphere at ICG Daegu 2023. While he acknowledged the athletes’ dedication to their respective sports, it was the spirit of camaraderie, fair play and friendship that left a lasting impression. Athletes from different cities worldwide came together, forging lifelong bonds and fostering cultural understanding, which is the essence of the International Children’s Games.
6th June 2023: Uniform presentation to Team Kelowna-Daegu
Team Kelowna will be travelling to Daegu, South Korea, early in July to compete in 4 sports: Athletics, Swimming, Tae Kwon Do and Volleyball – the first time we are sending a boys court volleyball team.
Mayor Tom Dyas and Rotary Club of Kelowna, Ogopogo President Cal Nesdoly presented 18 Team Kelowna athletes and 4 coaches with their coveted Team Kelowna uniforms in Stuart Park.
Team Kelowna has participated in every International Children’s Games since Kelowna hosted the first non-European Winter Games in 2011. The 18 athletes and 4 coaches competing in Daegu will join our 277 alumni athletes (135 boys and 142 girls) and 70 alumni coaches (43 male and 27 female) who have competed in 13 unique Summer Sports and 10 unique Winter Sports across 14 previous Games (10 Summer and 4 Winter).
The International Children’s Games advances its stated objective of promoting worldwide peace and understanding by using sport to gather the world’s youth together, to meet and interact with each other, not only on the field of play but also in a variety of cultural exchanges. By meeting and interacting with one another, youth learn to break down old stereotypes between nations bringing fresh understanding to international relations in the future. Today’s youth are our future and we are passionate about building a positive future with them!
25th August 2022: Our first swimming medal at the ICG
Congratulations to swimmer Dakota Wiman who took bronze in the pool in the 200m fly competition at ICG Coventry 2022. This is the first time a Team Kelowna swimmer has stood on an ICG Podium in the history of our participation in these Games.
“The atmosphere at the pool was fantastic,” said Lance Macdonald, President of the Kelowna International Children’s Games Committee. “While the medal is a great memory of ICG Coventry 2022, an even greater memory will be the sound of her teammates and supporters cheering her on – supporters not just from Kelowna, but our new-found friends from other cities. That truly is what the ICG is all about.”
Of the win, Dakota commented, “Having the opportunity to attend the summer ICG and meet amazing people from around the world was a once in a lifetime experience. I’m grateful to have had the chance to compete in these games and to bring home a medal for Team Kelowna.”
Many of our swimmers swam personal best times, our basketball players were delighted to play on the same playing surface used for the recent Commonwealth Games and our climbers had the opportunity to climb in the fantastic facilities at the University of Warwick in Coventry.
12th August 2022: Our first volunteer officials at the ICG
Four members of the Team Kelowna delegation, with many years of experience in timing and lane judging between them, were included in the ICG Coventry 2022 swim competition as volunteer officials. This was the first time that our offer of volunteer help from members of our delegation has been accepted by a host city. Special thanks to Kodi Wiman, Nanci Dodman, John Wiman and Tara Sebulsky for their help and dedication to the swimming competitions. Along with the other officials, they showed off their macarena moves which entertained the spectators and athletes during breaks in the heats.
22nd June 2022: Uniform Presentation to Team Kelowna-Coventry
Team Kelowna is heading to the International Children’s Games in Coventry, England, this coming August, to participate in basketball, swimming and, for the first time, climbing.
We were delighted to have Mayor Colin Basran and Walt Murphy, President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo, present members of Team Kelowna with their uniforms in Stuart Part on a beautiful bluebird day.
“We are so happy to see that the Games are back in action and our athletes are excited to be getting ready for Coventry,” said Lance Macdonald, President of the Kelowna ICG Committee and City Representative for ICG Coventry 2022. “We’ve had to be patient and wait until travel and competition is safe again so we can offer our local athletes this unique sports and cultural opportunity.”
Team Kelowna will be one of 73 cities from 31 countries and 5 continents taking part in this year’s Games in the sports of athletics, 3 on 3 basketball, climbing, soccer, swimming, table tennis and tennis. ICG Coventry 2022 is a 6-day event, with athletes and coaches from all over the world getting to know each other at both cultural and sporting events.
Check out the news reports and watch videos of our team at the presentation:
https://www.castanet.net/video/23003/kelowna-headed-to-international-childrens-games/
16th February 2022: Lance Macdonald – Community Sport Hero Award
Many congratulations to the KICGC’s President and Chair, Lance Macdonald, who was honoured with a Community Sport Hero Award for his work with the Kelowna International Children’s Games Committee and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. An acknowledgment that was well deserved for his work across multiple sporting activities!
January 2019: Medal success at Lake Placid International Children’s Winter Games
Team Kelowna has just returned from Lake Placid, New York, with five medals.
Biathlon and cross country athletes enjoyed several podium finishes.
Timur McNern (Biathlon) earned a Silver in the Sprint, a Bronze in the Elimination Sprint and a Gold in the Relay with his partner Sophia Kelting from Team Lake Placid. It’s the first time a Kelowna athlete has achieved all three medals in a Games event.
Sofie Steinruck (cross country skiing) also brought home hardware, earning a Bronze in the Sprint and a Silver in the Relay event with her partner Cameron Scacheri from Team Cleveland.
Team Kelowna finished 5th overall in the girls’ hockey tournament after excellent play. Highlights of the tournament for the players and coaches included playing two games on the Herb Brooks Miracle on Ice arena.
A strong friendship is developing between Team Kelowna girls’ hockey team and the girls from Akureyri, Iceland, with plans to invite the team to Kelowna for future games and tournaments.
Summer 2018: Team Kelowna-Jerusalem returns with a Silver medal
Our athletes taking part in the Games in Jerusalem have returned with a Silver medal in girls’ basketball and fond memories of their opponents. After getting out to a big lead in their game against Kenya, the Kelowna girls eased up so that both teams could just have fun. Their sportsmanship was appreciated and the girls have been invited to Kenya for a tournament!
Our boys’ basketball and girls’ swim teams also made the most of the fine weather to go sightseeing in Jerusalem – an amazing opportunity for our young athletes!
July 2017: Team Kelowna brings back two Bronze medals and prestigious Fair Play Award from Kaunas, Lithuania
Our sailors Ryan Rubadeau and Gabriella Littleton each won a bronze medal at the International Children’s Games in Kaunas, Lithuania. Gabriella finished third in the Laser 4.7 girls’ division, whilst Ryan finished third in the Optimist boys’ division. Our sailors kept smiling despite stormy conditions in which many boats capsized!
Our boys’ beach volleyball team, Maxim Gagne and Maxwell Ivans, also won the prestigious Fair Play award. Many congratulations to Maxim and Maxwell for exhibiting the sportsmanship that earned them the award – you are a credit to Team Kelowna!
Our female beach volleyball players also did well against tough opposition and all of our swimmers swam personal best times.
July 2016: Taekwondo athletes return from New Taipei City with a clutch of medals
Our Taekwondo athletes earned an incredible four medals at the recent Games in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Andrew King, Brenden Nichol and Michaela Dreger won Bronze medals, and Charlize Clarke won Gold.
All of our athletes competing in Taekwondo, volleyball tennis and swimming had a very positive and rewarding experience in Taiwan.
January 2016: Five Year Celebration at Stuart Park in Kelowna
We were delighted to see so many current and past athletes, coaches and family members at our recent Five Year Celebration of Kelowna’s hosting of the International Children’s Games in 2011.
The event took place in beautiful Stuart Park and we are very grateful to our key event sponsor, Kimco, for funding the food truck that provided delicious hot chocolates and hot dogs to fuel our hungry participants.
The Kelowna ICG Committee that was formed as a legacy of the 2011 Games has now sent delegations to Games in Scotland, South Korea, Russia, Australia, the Netherlands and Austria as well as other cities in Canada, and we will be sending a team to Taiwan in July 2016 and Lithuania in 2017. 177 athletes and 45 coaches from Kelowna have now participated in the International Children’s Games and we think that that is something worth celebrating. Our athletes have also shown that they can compete with the world’s best since Team Kelowna has a collection of 4 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze medals as a result of their ICG participation over the years.
It was a fun event – the ice rink was flooded and we had music and a DJ for our parade of alumni and to welcome home our medal-winning team that has just returned from Innsbruck in Austria.
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Kelowna International Children's Games Committee 