British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association

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Inaugural Women in Sport Awards

April 3, 2011- Women in Sport Celebration hosted at PISE on April 3 Gala Event featured Inaugural Women in Sport Awards

The 3rd Annual Celebration of Women in Sport (WinS) was held on April 3 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence. The gala luncheon honoured women’s achievement in sport highlighting the significant contribution that girls and women of all ages play in the world of sports. WinS also featured the inaugural Women in Sport Awards, recognizing women who have made an exceptional contribution to sport as a coach, builder, volunteer or athlete.

The event was attended by sport academies, local sport organizations, National team members, Island Olympians and Paralympians, and sports advocates from British Columbia and across Canada. The Keynote speaker was four-time Olympic Medalist, Long Track Speed Skater, Kristina Groves, who capped her 2006 silver medals in Torino with a silver and bronze in Vancouver in the 1500m and 3000m.

“We are proud to host the event this year – seeing all of the nominees and winners today who are inspiring to the next generation of sports leaders,” said Andrea Carey, Program/Facility Director at PISE. “It’s about engaging women at an early age and instilling a passion that will carry through to success.”

The winners of the Women in Sport Awards were Krista Thompson – Coach of the Year, for her contribution to Field Hockey; Tracy Terry – Sport Builder – for sailing. Madeline Sherry was Volunteer of the Year (blind lawn bowling); and Athlete of the Year was Jessica Vliegenthart, Team Canada's starting point guard in Wheelchair basketball.

ProMOTION Plus Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Patti Hunter, a long-time sports advocate for equality for women in sport. She is General Manager of KidSport Greater Victoria and is active in many sports associations including the BC Centre of Excellence for Women's Health; BC Recreation and Parks Association, Sport BC, BC Games Society, and ProMOTION Plus for Girls and Women in Sport and Physical Activity.
See also the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence web site at: http://www.piseworld.com/

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Madeleine Sherry

Nanaimo BC

Madeleine has been a member with BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association for over 20 years. As a dedicated volunteer she has done many roles working to promote and ensure our athletes who are blind/visually impaired are given the opportunity to participate in sport from recreational to competitive levels. Madeleine has been a sighted director, this is someone who gives the athlete all the visual information such as the direction to face, to where the equipment is, and familiarize the athlete on the greens.

Madeleine has been a team manager at the Regional and Provincial level in the sport of lawn bowling. She has assisted in organizing our Regional, Provincial and National Championships, and done officiating at the local, provincial and national levels. In addition she has trained volunteers who work with athletes in the lawn bowling clubs around the province. Madeleine also works hard to promote and recruit new members. Not only has she been a valuable volunteer on the field of play but as well as of the field of play by sitting on several committees and participating in our annual fun run as a volunteer. Madeleine continues to be active in her community and helping in many different areas. Madeleine has worked many hours over the years. Without volunteers such as Madeleine our programs would not be the success they are.

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