British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association

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Numerous BC athletes have received awards for their accomplishments, and volunteers with BC Blind Sports have been recognized for their outstanding work with athletes who are blind or visually impaired.

Provincial Awards

Sport BC Awards

BC Disabled Athlete of the Year (winners from BCBSRA)

2010 Donovan Tildesley, Swimming
2004 Donovan Tildesley, Swimming, Blind Sports
2003  Brian Hill, Swimming, Blind Sports
2000  Pier Morten, Judo, Blind Sports
1995 Courtney Knight - Athletics, BC Blind Sports
1994 Walter Wu - Swimming, Blind Sports
1992 Ljiliana Ljubisic - Athletics, BC Blind Sports
1990 Mike Edgson - Swimming, Blind Sports
1988 Mike Edgson - Swimming, Blind Sports
1987 Pier Morten - Wrestling,Judo, BC Blind Sports
1984 Mike Edgson - Swimming, Blind Sports
1983 Yvette Michel - Swimming, Blind Sports

Sport BC President’s Awards

BC Blind Sports Recipients

2011 George Vernon
2010 Dianna Johnston
2009 BC Vision Teachers Association
2008 Doug Stoutley
2007 Al and Vi Hanet
2006 Frank Reynolds
2005 Don Steen
2004 Gary Steeves
2003 Dr. Gordon Douglas
2002 Gerry York
2001 Donn Sherry
2000 Paul Hoeberigs
1999 Shelley Morten
1998
1997 Patrick York
1996 Don Steen
1995 Patrick Colbert
1994 Stan Klubi

Sport BC President’s Awards –

A celebration of BC’s top builders, athletes, coaches and officials in sport.

2011

The 2011President’s Award was presented to George Vernon. George has been a volunteer for more than 15 years and is most known for his role as Master of Ceremonies at Run for Light. George and his family are big supporters of Run for Light and we look forward to having them back this year.

2010

The 2010 President’s Award went to Dianna Johnston. We were pleased to recognize her for her sixteen years of volunteering in the Dragon Boat program and the success in bringing the Eye of the Dragon Team from the novice to the competitive category. Congratulations!

2009

British Columbia Vision Teachers' Association has provided an invaluable service to BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association with their ongoing support of the introduction of sport and recreation activities to students with a visual impairment. In particular, we thank the late Tom Cowper for his encouragement and strength in building our partnerships with the president of BC Vision Teachers Association. It is teachers like Tom who help to make our programs around the Province a success. They are a source of materials and information which assist BC Blind Sports in fostering the development of individual and team sports for the students. The BC Vision Teachers Association and its members are a key resource for us in overcoming the challenges of working with individuals in a system that has blind and visually impaired students living in areas that are often significant distances from other students in similar circumstances. They have facilitated the introduction of resources and activities into the school system, allowing us to increase our development of a viable youth program in different areas of the Province.

Accepting on behalf of the BC Vision Teachers Association is President, Daphne Hitchcock. Presenting the award is Tami Grenon, Vice President, BC Blind Sports & Recreation and Recreation Association and guide dog Nicks.

2008

BC Blind Sports is pleased to present Doug Stoutley with the 2008 President’s Award. Doug Stoutley is a tireless ambassador in the field of sport and recreation for individuals who are blind. He is a retired Physical Education Teacher, coach and an avid golfer and continues to volunteer his expertise to BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association as Past President. One of his fondest memories is as a volunteer at a camp for preschoolers who are blind. Doug has also chaired the Sport Commissioners Committee at BC Blind Sports and represented the organization on the Board of Directors of Canadian Blind Sports. In 2003, Doug traveled with Team Canada as the Chef de Mission for the International Blind Sports Federation World Championships and Games.

2007 -

BC Blind Sports was pleased to present Al and Vi Hanet with the Sport BC President’s Award at the 41st annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards banquet on March 14 at the Hyatt Regency.

Both Al and Vi are being recognized for their many years of support to the lawn bowling program and for promoting BC Blind Sports.

BC Blind Sports board member, Tami Grenon, will also be a President’s Award recipient. Tami was selected by BC Disability Sports to receive the Sport BC President’s Award.

From left to right: Brian Cowie, President of BC Blind Sports, with Al and Vi Hanet who were selected by BC Blind Sports to receive their Sport BC's President's Award.

2006 -

Frank Reynolds is our 2006 recipient of the Sport BC President’s Award. Frank has served as treasurer on the BC Blind Sports Board of Directors for eight years (1998 – 2005). Frank is a high performance coach working with athletes who are blind and deaf/blind. BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association thanks Frank for playing such a key role in moving the financial planning and management of our organization to the next level.

2005 -

BC Blind Sports selected Don Steen for the 2004 Sport BC President's Award. Don has been associated with BC Blind Sports for more than 15 years. He served as President to the organization from 1998-2000 and continues to be involved as a coach and an administrator.

2002 -

Gerry York was the recipient of the annual President Award that is held at the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Banquet. Gerry was a dedicated BCBSRA volunteer for over 25 years.

Harry Jerome Comeback Award

2005 - BC Blind Sports nominated Walter Wu for the Harry Jerome Comeback Award. After suffering two concussions in early 2003, Walter managed to resume training in 2004 and competed at the Paralympics in Athens. There, he won three medals including the 6th gold medal of his career.

PREMIER'S ATHLETIC AWARDS

2008 -

Premier Gordon Campbell paid tribute to 99 top BC athletes representing 56 sport disciplines at the 2008 Premier’s Athletic Awards on February 11 2008. Doug Ripley and Shawn Marsolais were selected by BC Blind Sports as the top male and female athletes in the sport of goalball. Both Doug and Shawn compete at the provincial level with the BC Senior Goalball Team and they also train with the Canadian Blind Sports Association’s development goalball teams. A commemorative plaque with each athlete’s photograph and list of achievements will be displayed at the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum for one year.

The annual Premier’s Athletic Awards recognize top female and male athletes in each of the sports and post-secondary institutions participating in the 2006/07 BC Athlete Assistance Program. These awards honour athletes who, through their commitment to hard work and excellence, have left their mark on sport in BC. Recipients are nominated by their respective provincial sport organization or post-secondary institution.

2007 -

Congratulations to BC Blind Sports athletes Shawn Marsolais and Brian Cowie, who were recipients of Premier’s Athletic Awards at a luncheon on February 12, 2007. Both Shawn and Brian are Paralympic athletes in tandem cycling.

A commemorative plaque with each athlete’s photograph and list of achievements will be displayed at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum for one year.

2006 -

BC Blind Sports nominated Courtney Knight as the Female Athlete with a Disability and Dustin Walsh as Male Athlete with Disability for their performance in athletics.

BC Blind Sports Track Athlete,
Dustin Walsh, receives 2006
Premier's Athletic Award

BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association congratulates athlete and member, Dustin Walsh, one of the award recipients at the 2005 Premier’s Athletic Awards.

“The accomplishments of the athletes being honoured today have set them apart – and are I’m sure just the beginning of future achievements,” said Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich. “Through programs like the B.C. Athlete Assistance Program and the tremendous support given by our provincial sport organizations, we want to ensure every athlete in B.C. is given the opportunity and training to reach their highest potential.”

Dustin Walsh was among 82 recipients recognized for their outstanding performance during the 2004/05 competitive year.

A commemorative plaque with each athlete’s photograph and list of sport achievements will be displayed at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in B.C. Place Stadium for one year.

For more information, visit the BC Sports Hall of Fame website at http://www.bcsportshalloffame.com/.

BCBSRA President's Award

2000 - Donn Sherry

BC Blind Sports selected Lawn bowls commissioner Donn Sherry to receive a President’s award in recognition of his long time service to our organization.

Other Provincial Awards and Recognition

Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame Inducts Edgson -2009

Long time BC Blind Sports member and Paralympic swimmer, Michael Edgson has been inducted into the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame. Michael began his swimming career in Nanaimo.

Michael first competed nationally in 1982, at the age of 12 as a member of the Canadian Blind Sports Association Swim Team and was a very active competitive swimmer with BC Blind Sports from 1981 through 1992.

Throughout his career, Michael earned 39 Gold medals and 3
Silver, and set numerous World Records, some of which still stand today.

We congratulate Michael on his achievements!

BC Sports Hall of Fame

Former BCBSRA President, Don Steen, was selected to the BC Sports Hall of Fame. This is a much-deserved honour to Don for his contributions as a competitor, coach and organizer. He has been a major player in all aspects of sports in BC for many years.

Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame

2006 -

MIKE LONERGAN INDUCTED INTO BURNABY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Mike Lonergan, Program Director at BC Blind Sports, has been inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame at the Induction Ceremony for 2006 Inductees. Mike was recognized in the coach category.

Mike has won numerous athletic coaching excellence awards, including Coach of the Year at Simon Fraser University in 1995 and a two-time BC Athletics High Performance Coach of the Year.

He has coached national running teams on 10 occasions from 1990 to 2001, as well as taking Canadian varsity teams to 25 NAIA national championships.

2005 -

BC Blind Sports congratulates Courtney Knight on being inducted to the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame.
Courtney Knight was the first visually-impaired athlete to win a B.C. high school track and field championship, placing first in the discus in 1995. With less than 10 per cent typical vision, her participation with a sighted Team B.C. at the Canadian Junior Championships and Western Canada Games were also firsts. Knight is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in the pentathlon, discus and shot put and is the Canadian record holder in seven individual Paralympic disciplines. She is a three-time Paralympian, winning silver medals in Atlanta and Sydney. Knight was the Sport B.C. disabled athlete of the year in 1995 and was B.C. Athletics' female disabled athlete from 1996 to 2003. For other inductees visit the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame website at: http://www.burnabysportshalloffame.ca/

2001 -

Don Steen (Past President) was an inaugural inductee (Oct. 2001) into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame in the coaching category for his work in Athletics and Blind Sports Athletics.

BC Blind Sports board member Moira Colbourne was also an inaugural inductee in the builder category (for her work with Field Hockey).

Other

Bruce Gilmour Receives the City of Vancouver's Access & Inclusion Award 2011

June 2011 - BC Blind Sports was pleased to nominate Bruce Gilmour for his contribution to Access & Inclusion for people with disabilities.

His many volunteer board affiliations have been at the national, provincial, regional, and local levels across many sectors. In particular, Bruce has significantly contributed to the development of both the BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association and the Canadian Blind Sports Association. Bruce has served on both boards as vice-president. He is a long standing spokesperson and promoter for sport and recreation for people who are blind. Bruce’s volunteer work for sport for athletes with disabilities also includes involvement on the board of directors with a focus on governance and strategic planning with the Disabled Skiing Association of BC.

The City of Vancouver is committed to the principles of accessibility, inclusion, diversity and equity. The Access and Inclusion Awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership and commitment to enhancing accessibility, inclusion, universality and the elimination of any barriers that may impede the full participation of persons with any type of disability in community life. The City also recognizes that improvements in accessibility and inclusion ultimately benefit all community members.

Bruce accepted the award at a ceremony was held on June 7th, at the Vancouver City Hall. Congratulations Bruce.
If you would like to learn more about this award please visit http://vancouver.ca/eeo/accessinclusion_awards.htm

Our current President Dr. Phil Moir was recently recognized for volunteering, by Burnaby MP Svend Robinson.

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