Canadians are being asked to get in the game and participate on-line and via the “Game On App”
CBC Television welcomes back Sports Day in Canada for a second year, with six hours of programming celebrating amateur sporting events and communities across the country, in association with ParticipACTION and True Sport. The broadcast, on Saturday Sept. 17 from noon to 6:00 p.m. ET, is a celebration of sport, a tribute to those making a difference, and a shout-out to anyone who plays a game for the sheer joy of it.
Coverage begins with Gemini Award-winning host Scott Russell at the newly-opened Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary. Featured events throughout the day include women’s action at the ITU Triathlon World Championship Series in Beijing, the Canadian Rugby League’s Colonial Cup: Canada vs.USA, Championship Track & Field from Brussels and the Championship 5-Pin Bowling East-West Challenge live from Calgary.
“Sports Day in Canada allows us to shine a spotlight on some of our amazing amateur athletes from across the country and their sports journey from their local beginnings to the world stage,” said Julie Bristow, Executive Director, Studio and Unscripted Programming for CBC. “Canada has a rich history of amateur athletics and we are pleased to be able to share some of these fascinating stories with sports fans everywhere.”
Also throughout the day will be special live remote broadcasts: from Toronto, a gymnastics demo featuring athletes Karen Cockburn, Jason Burnett and Rosie Maclennen; Short Track Speed Skating National Team World Cup Selection Trials from Montreal hosted by Sonali Karnick; and CIS/OUA university football featuring Saint Mary’s at Montreal.
New for this year is the “Game On” App for Sports Day, available for download at CBCSports.ca/sportsday. CBC will be following the Sports Day Leaderboard as it tracks the most active Canadians. Users are encouraged to register events, check-in, comment and upload photos and videos to gain badges and improve their standing. CBC will track a leaderboard of activity and name this “Game On Dream Team” during the Sports Day telecast. Viewers named to the “Game On Dream Team” on-air will win a CBC Sports prize package.
(Leaders will be determined at 5pm ET / 2pm PT Sept 17th, 2011. Any activity that is registered after that time will not count toward the Dream Team totals.)
Additionally, CBC Sports and Radio-Canada, along with Sports Day partners ParticipACTION and True Sport, are calling on Canadians to get in the game by participating in one of the more than 1,000 sports-related events listed on CBC Sports’ website at cbcsports.ca/sportsday. Organizations, teams and clubs are also urged to plan and register their own local events.
Full Programming Schedule (all times eastern)
12:00 noon: 2011 Sports Day in Canada kickoff - “What Moves You, Canada?”
12:30: ITU Women’s Triathlon World Championships Series from Beijing
1:30: 2011 Sports Day in Canada - “Movers and Shakers” panel discussion - the pursuit of excellence
2:00: Championship Track and Field - Brussels Final - Diamond League
3:00: Canadian Rugby League: 2011 Colonial Cup - Canada vs USA - LIVE from Fletcher’s Field in Markham, Ontario
4:30: Championship 5-pin Bowling: 2011 East-West Final - LIVE from Calgary
5:30: 2011 Sports Day in Canada - “The Finish Line” - wrapping up the day including an all-star panel
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
For further information, contact:
James Lamont
Lamont@veritascanada.com
Veritas Communications, Toronto 416-482-2617 (Mobile) 416-859-5870
