VANCOUVER, BC (March 11, 2015) – Sport BC, the lead organizer of the inaugural America’s Masters Games (Vancouver 2016), is pleased to announce the appointment of former Olympian and sport executive Thomas Jones as Event Director. Sport BC is responsible for delivery of the Games and has contracted Tom, on behalf of the City of Vancouver, to manage and oversee all strategic, promotional and operational activities of the Games.

Tom, a longtime member of the Canadian sport community, was the Athlete Development Manager for the Province of BC and served as the CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada and Athletes CAN in Ottawa, as well as Manager of Sport, Excellence and Wellness at the Richmond Olympic Oval. He spent three years working in the Australian sport system as Executive Director of a State Sporting organization (Melbourne) and Operations Manager for the volleyball competition at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. A graduate of UBC, Tom holds an MBA from the University of Calgary and is currently Principal of Jones & Associates Sport and Management Consulting in Vancouver.

Jones competed internationally for Canada in the sport of volleyball, and was a bronze medalist at the 1979 Pan Am Games, silver medalist at the 1983 World Student Games and semifinalist of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. He spent seven years in Europe as a professional athlete and more recently competed in the last two World Masters Games, winning gold in Edmonton 2005.

As Event Director, Tom will collaborate closely with the PSO community, key stakeholders and the international community to deliver the inaugural America’s Masters Games in an innovative and athlete-centered manner that strengthens the BC sport sector and creates a template for future sport hosting in Canada. “I am very excited to help deliver this inspiring project, which will offer tremendous opportunities for competition and cultural exchange to participants at the ‘active for life’ stage of the athlete pathway, and again expose the beauty and attractions of Vancouver to the world”.

“We are very privileged to secure the services of Tom for this major event and look forward to his vast array of experience leading the operations team. As the Chair of a provincial sport organization and a competitive masters athlete, he understands the target audience and will be able to ensure that all participants enjoy a very positive and memorable Games experience in Vancouver.”

2016 America’s Masters Games Website

2016 America’s Masters Games Facebook Page

For further information on the AMG and this appointment, please contact: Rob Newman, President & CEO, Sport BC [email protected]