Summer games organizers encourage Sudburians to ‘get involved’

If you’ve not yet heard of Mark Vainio, don’t be too upset – you’re likely not alone. If, one year from now, the name of the 2010 Ontario Summer Games co-ordinator still does not ring a bell, then it’s likely he will be a tad disappointed.

Vainio was appointed as games co-ordinator earlier this summer as the city prepares to host the Ontario Summer Games next August for the first time since 1983. And while his job is multi-faceted by its very nature, Vainio understands that at least one important component will be to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of both the games themselves, but also the overall scope and impact of the three day multi-sport competition.

For the long-time Sudbury native, the task he’s undertaken is a very natural next-step in a career development path that has seen him work with a variety of sports related organizations.

A graduate of both R.L. Beattie and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary, Vainio attended Durham College in Oshawa, and enrolled in the sports administration program, before returning to Sudbury and completing his Bachelor of Commerce at Laurentian University. In the interim, he gained some valuable experience, primarily within the golf industry, working internships with the Golf Association of Ontario as well as IMG – Mike Weir.

Most recently working with Golf Sudbury, Vainio says he sees his new endeavour as a chance to add more variety to his resume.

“There are all kinds of things involved with this job, which is something I like,” he said.

“Working with volunteers, working with provincial sports organizations … making sure that everyone is co-ordinated and in communication and on the same page to get to that same goal.”

The end result is to create a memorable three-day event for the roughly 3,500 young athletes taking part in more than 20 sporting competitions being hosted at venues across Greater Sudbury. The local Games Organizing Committee, under the stewardship of co-chairs Dan Lee and John Roberts, have now been meeting on roughly a monthly basis for the past nine months or so, putting the framework in place for an athletic competition unlike any seen locally for the past two decades.

While Vainio has gained valuable experience in working with corporate sponsorships in his years of involvement with golf, he is quick to acknowledge that the Ontario Summer Games phenomenon is unlike any he has previously enjoyed.

“To spend a full year focusing on just one event is something new to me. I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Set to run from August 10-13, the Summer Games will bring together a slew of sports with differing levels of competitions.

Some PSOs (provincial sports organizations) utilize the games to host one of their all-Ontario championships. Other PSOs, whose schedules may not dovetail quite as nicely into the timing of the big event, may seek to provide valuable experience for still unproven and not quite provincial caliber athletes.

Sudburians are sure to be treated to an energy that encompasses the entire city for the entirety of the (games’) three day stretch.

Sudburians are sure to be treated to an energy that encompasses the entire city for the whole of the (games’) three-day stretch. To Vainio, this speaks of an opportunity for the average Sudburian.

“Get involved somehow – whether it’s as a volunteer, or just helping out, whether it’s coming out as a spectator – it’s going to be a great three days of sports, watching these provincial athletes who hopefully will go on to bigger and better things,” he said.

And while he may not yet be able to tap into previous games experience in his repertoire, Vainio still provides a great summary of the message that he wants to spread:

“As a community, we can make this a great event and promote our area to the rest of the province.”

Speaking of which, I couldn’t help but to laugh out loud just a little as I read a comment from local youth soccer player Tessa McDougall last week. Attending the media reception for the Panhellenic Soccer Tournament, the U16 club player noted that “we know the fields really well and that can be an advantage.”

She said, “the southern teams are used to nicer fields that are a bit flatter. We know where the longer patches of grass and the dirt spots are and we can use that to our advantage.”

First, let’s acknowledge that Ms. McDougall was being perfectly candid and completely truthful in answering the question posed to her. This was certainly not an intentional politically motivated statement. However, this is likely not exactly the type of “home field advantage” city officials are anxious to have Sudbury soccer known for.

Then again, perhaps I’m the one missing out on the competitive ingeniousness of this strategy. Just imagine the leg up that local “AAA” hockey teams would have when their southern Ontario Big Nickel counterparts arrive to find a Countryside Arena ice surface devoid of large chunks of ice.

Now that would level the playing field in a hurry.

Randy Pascal is the voice of Eastlink Sports and the founder of SudburySports.com.