Team in format ion package

Saturday, July 9, 2016

The Event Manulife Dragon Boat Festival The Manulife Dragon Boat Festival is dedicated to promoting healthy communities through physical activity is supporting the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund. This Sport Nova Scotia program committed to the development of amateur sport in the province.

The 19th annual Manulife Dragon Boat Festival will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2016 on Lake Banook in Dartmouth.

Over 40 teams from a wide range of companies and organizations will participate in 200 metre dragon boat races across Lake Banook. The Festival provides businesses and organizations with an opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day, while making a valuable contribution to an important cause, the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund.

The emphasis of the event is on participating and contributing rather than winning races. This makes it suitable and enjoyable for teams of all skill levels. Many past participants had never picked up a paddle before they began the pre-event practice sessions.

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Contact: 902-425-5450 ext. 344www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca

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A fun-filled day for the entire family! Beyond the dragon boat races, plenty of fun, family-oriented activities take place at lakeside including the celebration of Chinese culture. The festival features the Awakening of the dragon, the eye-dotting ceremony, food, games, and much more, including:

• official opening ceremonies• children’s village• arts and crafts• traditional oriental dance• fun inflatable games• street entertainers• award presentations

Contact: 902-425-5450 ext. 344www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca

Beyond The Races

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Helping to grow healthier communities in Nova Scotia Registration fees as well as financial and in-kind support from corporate sponsors make it possible for every dollar fundraised through the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival to be donated to the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund. Thanks to the participants in last year’s event, the Festival was able to raise over $90,000 through in-person and online donations.

All monies raised by the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival contribute to building health communities in Nova Scotia. Through the Sport Fund, the funds are used to increase sport participation by supporting community-based programs throughout Nova Scotia. To date, the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival has raised almost $1.7 million for this worthwhile cause.

“The funding provided through Amateur Sport Fund has given my organization the opportunity to diversify the sport of biathlon in Cape Breton by extending it beyond the scope of only cadet participation. In the past, children in the community interested in biathlon were required to be members of the cadet program which meant you had to be at least 12 years of age to participate. Community athletes as young as 9 are now members of the Cape Breton Biathlon Club and will be competing in their very first provincial race this month.” - Ashley Wambolt, Coach, Biathlon Nova Scotia

The Sport Fund is a Provincial Chapter of the Canadian Council of Provincial/Territorial Sport Federations. Revenue Canada Charitable Registration Number 88938 6868 RR0001.

Contact: 902-425-5450 ext. 344www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca

The Cause

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Register Today!The 19th Annual Manulife Dragon Boat Festival runs from 9am to 3pmon Saturday, July 9, 2016. Register your team today by submitting the enclosed team registration form or register online at www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca. Further information is available either on the website, or by contacting Tyler Smith at 902-425-5450, ext.344.

Registration FeesThe early-bird registration fee for local participating teams is $1,200 plus HST up until April 15th, 2016. After this date, the price increases to $1,300 plus HST. Teams consist of 20 paddlers (a minimum of eight of each gender is required) plus a drummer who keeps the beat. As the drummer does not paddle, the lighter in weight the drummer, the better. Teams may also have alternate team members who may be substituted into races anytime throughout the day.

New this year, team referral discount!Challenge your friends/customers/business partners to enter a team in the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival! Any registered and paid team is eligible to receive a $100 reimbursement if they recruit a new team to the Festival. A new team is any team that has not participated in the Festival in the past two years and is not already registered for this year.

PledgingDragon Boat participants also commit to collecting pledges in advance of the Festival. In order to maximize the funds raised we ask that each participant collect a minimum of $100. All those submitting pledges of at least $100 will receive a special edition Manulife Dragon Boat Festival merchandise item and additional prizes will be awarded to participants who raise even more pledges. The top corporate teams and individual fundraisers will receive special grand prizes and the top corporate fundraising team will receive special privileges on race day.

Contact: 902-425-5450 ext. 344www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca

REGISTRATION

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Team CaptainsA representative from each team should be selected to act as team captain. The captain’s role is to encourage team recruitment and share information in the months leading up to the event. Manulife Dragon Boat Festival information sessions will be held during the weeks leading up to the Festival. These sessions will provide all captains with information that is related to the specifics of the practice schedule, day-of activities, race schedule, etc. The Event Coordinator, Tyler Smith (902-425-5450, ext.344 or email: dragonboat@sportnovascotia.ca) is also available to answer questions from team captains. Ongoing emailed updates will also be distributed in the weeks leading up to the event.

EquipmentThe Manulife Dragon Boat Festival provides all teams with access to a dragon boat, all necessary equipment, and a qualified steer person during practices and on the day of the event. Two practice sessions with a trained coach are included in the registration fee and can be scheduled in advance of the event on the Festival website at www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca. Additional practice sessions can be purchased.

Cancellation Policy: Should a team withdraw from the festival prior to June 15, the team will receive a full refund. Teams that withdraw after June 15, but prior to June 30, will receive a 50% refund. No refunds after June 30.

Contact: 902-425-5450 ext. 344www.dragonboat.halifax.ns.ca

The Commitment