Yellowknife (Dec 22/06) - Laura McLeod, 17, from Sir John Franklin High School will represent Yellowknife as a youth ambassador at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse.

Laura McLeod will represent Yellowknife at the 2007 Canada Winter Games. She will be joined by 32 other Youth Ambassadors, who will perform various volunteering duties to help out with the games. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

This is the first time the Canada Winter Games will be held North of 60. Thirty-three youth were selected to represent the various regions of the NWT and will be flown into Whitehorse and given volunteer assignments to help out with the games.

"It's such good exposure for what the North is capable of doing," said McLeod.

McLeod said she is excited to be helping out with the event.

Sports has been an integral part of McLeod's life, since she started gymnastics at the age of eight. Now a hockey coach and a volleyball player, McLeod wants to stay involved in sports, although not at a professional level.

"I can play a lot of them, but I've never been the star," said McLeod.

McLeod may have had the opportunity to go to the games otherwise, as she was also selected for the hockey team as an alternative goalie. She said she is more excited about being an ambassador, however, as it gives her a chance to be involved in more than just one sport.

Bill Burlington, a physical education teacher at Sir John Franklin high school and McLeod's hockey coach, said that McLeod is a perfect choice for ambassadorial duty.

"Laura's got a lot of leadership already, she'll be excellent," said Burlington.

To apply, McLeod submitted an application form and cover letter stating why she should be selected as an ambassador. She had heard about the program through her mother.

McLeod will attend orientation in February where she'll find out more details of what she'll be doing during the games.