OPENING DAY RANT N' ROAR
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Chef's Corner
Chef's Corner
Welcome to the Canada Games, Team NL! What an exciting and busy first day we had yesterday! Thank you for your patience as we navigated a tight schedule while getting you settled into your homes for the week ahead. It was such a proud and memorable start to our Games experience as the Host Province, arriving at the Athletes’ Village to a sea of enthusiastic volunteers ready to help us get things underway. I hope you had a great rest last night and are feeling ready for the days ahead.
Today, most of our teams will be training and getting acclimated to the Village. We’ve already spotted plenty of Team NL lanyards filling up with pins, so keep getting out there and enjoying everything the Games has to offer.
Walking into the Opening Ceremony as the host province will be an unforgettable moment so make sure you take it all in. Surrounded by our teammates and wearing provincial colours, we will feel the spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador all around us. It will be a celebration like no other and the chance to showcase our province to the entire nation.
Opening ceremonies start today!
Opening ceremonies start today!
The wait is over — the 2025 Canada Games officially kick off tonight!
The Opening Ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary Brown’s Centre, and the energy is extra high this year as Team NL takes the stage as the proud home team.
The Ceremony will be streamed live for free at canadagames.ca/watch, CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca, Radio-Canada, and live on NTV.
Athletes arrive into the village
Athletes arrive into the village
Week one athletes packed up their gear to head to the Athletes' Village for the 2025 Canada Games!
Although a home team - Team NL will be enjoying the full Games experience, residing amongst other provincial teams at the village.
Athletes will get a chance to meet other athletes, enjoy all the village has to offer, and of course - trade their pins!
Best of luck to our week one athletes' as they settle in!
Men's Baseball hits the pitch
Men's Baseball hits the pitch
Team NL Baseball hit the field for their first practice of the Games today, complete with a guest appearance from Assistant Chef de Mission, Frank Humber, who threw a few pitches for the team!
Competition starts tomorrow (August 10th) against Manitoba at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. against NS at St Pat's. We look forward to ranting and roaring them on!
Training Day with men's Basketball
Training Day with men's Basketball
Men's Basketball is primed and ready to take on the rest of Canada! The vibe around the team is upbeat, positive and the focus is dialed in.
Practice day being used to get a feel for the new leather during a fantastic shoot around! Excitement is growing for opening ceremonies and continued success pin trading.
Women's basketball left it all on the court
Women's basketball left it all on the court
The Women's Basketball team had their last practice before their games start tomorrow!
Everyone is looking healthy and determined to face their first opponent tomorrow - Saskatchewan - at 10:45 a.m. at The Works - Field House.
Fun in the sun for beach volleyball
Fun in the sun for beach volleyball
After a relatively smooth arrival on moving day, the team awoke on Opening Day with energy to burn. Breakfast was a challenge as the massive number of games volunteers got to put training into practice. Thank you to the volunteers in all roles and locations.
Next on their plate was their first official practice. And what a venue. It will be a party event all week long with a DJ and a special spectator tent. The sand most beaches in NL would dream for!
This afternoon was for relaxing, socializing and pin trading. Some took a trip to see the Challenge Cup final.
Women’s games Sun 10:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. & Men’s game at 3:30 p.m.
Forecast is sunny and hot 28 degrees! Bring your suntan lotion!
women's box lacrosse is ready to shine
women's box lacrosse is ready to shine
The Women's Box Lacrosse team had their first practice this afternoon at the paradise rink. The team is working hard and excited for their first competition tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at the Paradise Double Ice Complex!
MEN'S RUGBY 7'S BRINGS THE HEAT
MEN'S RUGBY 7'S BRINGS THE HEAT
Opening day. Saturday.
The Men's Rugby 7's team brave the 29 degree heat this afternoon for practice. Men’s Sevens were working hard practicing their drills and skills. They are very excited to represent Newfoundland and Labrador in the Canada Games. A big thank-you to the parents and families supporting these players and coaches - it takes a village.
First game is Monday, August 11 @ 10:56 a.m. at Swilers Rugby Club.
WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM HOPING TO SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS
WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM HOPING TO SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS
After arriving at the Athletes Village on Friday, today the Women’s Rugby 7’s Team are enjoying their first practice before competition starts on Monday.
All the girls and coaching staff appeared relaxed … and smiles were evident during the drills. They are all quite proud to represent NL at these games.
There is no question they are enjoying the 2025 Canada Games experience!
Tonight they will feel the support of the whole province as they parade into the Opening Ceremony. It will truly be a magical moment!
GUSTY NEEDED AT SAILING PRACTICE
GUSTY NEEDED AT SAILING PRACTICE
Team NL Sailing were at the sailing venue today doing final touch ups on their equipment and having their sails measured. Practice was cancelled due to not enough wind. We need Gusty to show up at sailing!
MEN'S SOCCER TAKES IN A GAME
MEN'S SOCCER TAKES IN A GAME
This morning, Team NL Men’s Soccer hit the pitch bright and early, training from 8:30 to 9:30 at the Fortis Canada Games Complex. The state-of-the-art venue features an outdoor track and field facility and a versatile indoor multi-purpose building, making it an ideal site for the 2025 Canada Games. After a focused and energetic session, the team took the afternoon to rest and enjoy the game they love from the sidelines, watching a Challenge Cup soccer match in Conception Bay South. It was a perfect balance of hard work and team bonding.
FROM NEW TO YU: WOMEN'S SOFTBALL
FROM NEW TO YU: WOMEN'S SOFTBALL
Team NL took to the field at Kelly Park in Outer Cove for an unforgettable exhibition game against Team Yukon. Midway through, we joined forces with our Yukon friends, creating the NEWkon and YUfoundland teams. Sporting special edition shirts, we shared laughs, high-fives, and a true spirit of camaraderie. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about friendship, community, and celebrating the joy of sport.
SWIMMING TESTS THE WATERS
SWIMMING TESTS THE WATERS
Team NL Swimming warmed up for their first event tomorrow with two practices. While not in the water, the team enjoyed all the village had to offer including the Games' unofficial sport - pin trading!
They even celebrated a birthday - Happy 25th Birthday to swimmer Tyler Robinson!
Timed finals begin tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
TENNIS UNDER THE DOME
TENNIS UNDER THE DOME
Team NL had a great practice session today at the Rogers Tennis Dome in preparation for their first match on Monday, Aug 11 against NT. With an off day tomorrow, they are looking forward to catching some Team NL action and showing their support from the sidelines.
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