Sport heroes to be honoured in Nanaimo

Sport heroes to be honoured in Nanaimo

Sport BC holds special ceremony to recognize local community sport volunteers

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Richmond, BC: Sport BC and members of the Nanaimo sporting community will gather at the Coast Bastion Inn on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 to honour and celebrate eight sport volunteers who will be receiving a Community Sport Hero® Award.

“The Community Sport Hero® Awards presented by EnCana provide an important opportunity to recognize the heart and soul of the BC sport system – the volunteers,” said Sport BC’s President and CEO, Paul Varian. “These citizens give back to their communities in countless ways and we feel privileged to honour them.”

Volunteers play an important role in the development and delivery of sport in BC. The hard working, talented and enthusiastic individuals inspire future generations to get involved. The award recipients have helped athletes reach their personal goals through ongoing support and encouragement with their behind-the-scenes contributions.

Nominees for the Community Sport Hero® Awards were provided by parents, mentors, coaches, organizations, friends and athletes to acknowledge their contributions to sport.

Sport BC is accepting nominations for Community Sport Heroes to recognize volunteers in its upcoming tour communities of Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows and Williams Lake. To nominate a Community Sport Hero go to www.communitysporthero.ca.

About the Community Sport Hero® Awards presented by EnCana:
The Community Sport Hero® Awards presented by EnCana honours outstanding sport volunteers in communities across British Columbia. The prestigious awards recognize coaches, officials, mentors and administrators who have dedicated themselves to grow and develop amateur sport at the community level. The dedication of these individuals have allowed athletes and communities to grow and shape sport in British Columbia and inspire others to become involved in sport. For more information on the Community Sport Hero® Awards presented by EnCana please visit www.communitysporthero.ca.

About Sport BC:
Sport BC is a not-for-profit organization built on the belief of creating and sustaining healthy communities. For more than 40 years Sport BC has been the federation of provincial sport and sport-related organizations that collectively represent the one-third of British Columbians active as athletes, coaches, officials, sport management staff and sport volunteers. Sport BC is the voice of sport in British Columbia, providing leadership, direction and support to foster the growth and development of sport, and advocating for increased participation in physical activity and striving towards excellence in all levels of competition. For more information www.sport.bc.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Brian Webb Jennifer Schaeffers
Manager, Brand Strategy Director, Marketing and Communications
T: 604.333.3423 T: 604.333.3412
E: brian.webb@sport.bc.ca C: 604.345.8485
E: jennifer.schaeffers@sport.bc.ca