Premier Pat Binns and the Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister responsible for sport expressed their congratulations to Frank MacIntyre and Contessa Scott for the gold medal winning performance of the Canadian goalball team in the paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
"On behalf of the Province of Prince Edward Island, I would like to express our great pride to both Frank and Contessa," says Premier Pat Binns. "We are proud of your performance and we congratulate you on a fantastic win."
The Canadian women's goalball team captured the gold medal in Sydney on Sunday, against Spain 1 to 0.
"Congratulations to Frank, Contessa and the Canadian women's goalball team on Sunday's victory," says Minister Shea. "This is a demonstration that your hard work and dedication to the sport have earned you a gold medal and the recognition of Canadians and Islanders."
Frank MacIntyre is a resident of Stratford PEI. He is presently employed as Executive Director for the PEI Recreation and Sports Association for the Physically Challenged. Frank has been head coach of the Canadian goalball team for several years and an active supporter of the sport and has coached goalball in the province. Through Frank's efforts to host goalball tournaments, he has done much to expose athletes, officials and spectators to the sport. He received the King Clancy award last year for "significant contributions in assisting people with disabilities to achieve a more rewarding lifestyle."
Contessa Scott is a resident of Clyde River. She was senior athlete of the year for Prince Edward Island in 1994, when she was named most valuable player at the nationals and named to Team Canada. She has been actively involved with goalball for numerous years, and she is the only goalball athlete from PEI to make the national team. Contessa has been a standout at many tournaments, provincially, nationally and internationally.
Premier Binns and Minister Shea will be at the Charlottetown Airport today at noon to welcome Contessa Scott and Frank MacIntyre back to Prince Edward Island.