There is a lot to be proud of at The Royal Canadian Legion as it marks its 90-year history this year. The Legion’s National Youth Track and Field Championships (NYTFC) is part of this legacy. I had the privilege of attending this year’s competition in Sainte-Thérèse and Blainville, Québec where I saw some of Canada’s finest young athletes, between the ages of 13 and 17, compete in a national event in Canada.
All Canadians can look at these championships, which are also marking their 40th anniversary, with pride. This year alone, these championships set a new record with 945 young athletes from across the country competing in their chosen fields. All told, these young athletes broke 9 Legion track records and several personal best records. We also take pride in the fact that 32 of Canada’s current Track and Field team competing in 2016 Rio Olympics went through the Legion’s NYTFC.
The success of these games is well-deserved and based, in large part, on the sustained effort of hundreds of Legion volunteers, volunteers from the Sainte Thérèse / Blainville area, coaches, officials and others.
To the millions of Canadians who proudly support their local Legion branches – you may also feel proud of what your Legion does to make these championships a success.
For all of these reasons, I wish to express, on behalf of the nearly 300,000 Legion members in more than 1400 Branches, a big heartfelt thank you. We are truly grateful and look forward to next year’s championships which will be held in Brandon, Manitoba in August 2017.
Again, well done.
Dave Flannigan
Dominion President
The Royal Canadian Legion