PEIP.E.I.’s best youth athletes gathered Wednesday for one last celebration before heading to the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s next week.’In sport, in general, going to the Canada Games is a big deal,’ says one Island athleteConnor Lamont · CBC News · Posted: Jul 31, 2025 5:49 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoP.E.I. is sending its largest team ever to the 2025 Canada Games, with almost 400 athletes, coaches, and staff members. (Connor Lamont/CBC)P.E.I.’s best youth athletes gathered Wednesday for one last celebration before heading to the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L., next week.The Island is sending its largest team ever — nearly 400 athletes and coaches — who will compete across 16 different sports.It’s the biggest competition Team P.E.I. baseball player Kyla Hughes has ever participated in, and she said it was exciting to meet all her new teammates ahead of the event.”Some people are super excited, some people are super nervous,” she told CBC News.”You’re here and you’re looking at everyone who’s together and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, there are a lot of teams that are involved in this.'”Team P.E.I. women’s baseball player Kyla Hughes says the games could be a great stepping stone to a career in her favourite sport. (Connor Lamont/CBC)Hughes is set to make history in Newfoundland as part of P.E.I.’s first-ever women’s baseball team at the Canada Games. The sport is making its debut this summer.”I’m incredibly honoured,” said Hughes, who plays second base. “It’s a very big thing. We’re going down in history. That’s what people keep saying… ‘You should be so excited,’ and I really am. The whole team is excited too. It’s really awesome.”Team P.E.I. swimmer Keegan MacDougall is one athlete that can offer some advice to his new teammates. He was 13 years old at his first Canada Games in 2022, and it’s not too common to take part in more than one. “Not many people have that experience, so it would be pretty cool,” he said. “I was really excited for the last one, and this time I’m even more excited. It’ll be fun.”MacDougall said first-time participants should treat the event like any other Island competition — and try to stay in the moment.”Last Canada Games, I was just really focused on my events, so this time I’m going to take it smooth and focus on having a lot of fun with the team,” he said.An unforgettable experienceDuring the rally, each athlete had the chance to walk across the stage in front of family and friends as their team name was called.For women’s basketball coach Doug Newson, the moment brought back memories of his own Canada Games experience more than three decades ago.”I still have friends from my days competing in the Canada Games over thirty years ago, and I still remember those games like it was yesterday,” said Newson. “Part of the reason I get involved in the Canada Games and coaching is to give back to the younger athletes on P.E.I. And this is an experience they’re going to remember for the rest of their lives, and I’m just glad to be a part of it”Team P.E.I. athletes gather for a group photo at a Charlottetown rally ahead of the 2025 Canada Games. (Connor Lamont/CBC)As for whether he prefers coaching over playing, it’s a coin toss. “Coaching is a lot more work, I can tell you that — preparing for the practices and games.”This year’s games are extra special for Newson. His daughter, Alex, will carry the P.E.I. flag at the opening ceremony and compete for gold on the women’s basketball team — coached by her dad. It’s definitely something good to have on your resume- Kyla Hughes, Team P.E.I. women’s baseballThe significance of the games isn’t lost on the team’s Chef de Mission, Nicolle Derry, who said she can’t wait to see the athletes represent P.E.I.”They’ve been working towards their craft and working towards their sport for years,” she said. “For a lot of P.E.I. athletes, their goal is to go to the Canada Games, so it’s been a long time coming for a lot of them.”‘A big deal’The games can also be a stepping stone for many athletes to pursue a career in their sport. “It’s something you can definitely take along with you,” said Hughes. “This sort of experience shows that you’re committed, determined, hardworking. It’s definitely something good to have on your resume.””You get a lot of new experiences, such as for your future or, like, college and university,” said MacDougall. “I hear there’s lots of scouts there looking for future college athletes.”Team P.E.I. swimmer Keegan MacDougall can’t wait to dive into his second Canada Games in Newfoundland. (Connor Lamont/CBC)MacDougall said even though he knows the scouts are there, he doesn’t feel too much extra pressure. At the end of the day, he agrees that his new teammate, Hughes, said it best.”In sport, in general, going to the Canada Games is a big deal.”The 2025 Canada Games kick off Aug. 8.ABOUT THE AUTHORConnor Lamont is a news reporter at CBC Prince Edward Island, based in Charlottetown. He previously worked at CBC News Network in Toronto and is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University.
P.E.I. sends off its 2025 Canada Games squad in style
