For Immediate Release – June 18, 2024 – (Vancouver, BC)
Sport BC recognizes the importance of volunteers in amateur sport. The significant role volunteers play in their community is celebrated through Sport BC’s Community Sport Hero Awards. The award is to honor volunteers from Sport BC member and partner organizations who demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism through the years of dedication and commitment they have given to their sport enhancing their local community. The Maple Ridge recipients will be celebrated during Sport BC’s Community Sport Hero Awards taking place on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Maple Ridge, BC. Congratulations to the MAPLE RIDGE Community Sport Hero Awards Recipients and thank you for all you do for amateur sport in the Maple Ridge area.
“It’s important to recognize those in our community who generously give their time and talents to support amateur sport events,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Thank you to Sport BC for undertaking this recognition. The B.C. government deeply values the contributions of coaches, officials, mentors and administrators. We know the strength and renowned reputation of B.C.’s sport sector is a direct reflection of their commitment to sport.”
Rob Newman, President and CEO of Sport BC says, “I applaud the exceptional recipients of Sport BC Community Sport Hero Awards, each believe in the transformative power of sport and are bringing their various skill sets and talents to the amateur sport organizations for which they have volunteered. Volunteering is the backbone of sport in British Columbia and these recipients are inspiring examples of the exceptional people volunteering to deliver amateur sport in Maple Ridge.
2024 CSHA MAPLE RIDGE SPORT
Dennis Hertslet Lacrosse
Ron Jones Community Multi-Sport & BC Sports Hall of Fame
Katie McElgunn Jonas Baseball & Softball
Teri Kempter Artistic Swimming
William McCrae Secondary School Wrestling
Gary Manson KidSport Maple Ridge
Sarah Matlock Elementary School Multi-Sport
Shauna Williams Soccer
Markus Zurberg Archery
Dennis Hertslet – Lacrosse
Dennis, a dedicated volunteer at the Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association, steps into any role when there is a need. He serves as the President’s right-hand, association secretary, organizes referees and divisions manager, and assists with organizing tournaments. Dennis consistently assumes additional responsibilities. The association owes much of its success to Dennis, who shows care and support for female and co-ed teams, volunteers of all ages, and the entire association. To Dennis, from everyone at the Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association, a heartfelt thank you.
Ron Jones – Community Multi-Sport and BC Sports Hall of Fame
Ron is unique among sport volunteers in British Columbia. He has not only played, coached, and served as a builder of sports in Maple Ridge and throughout BC, he has also been one of the leading philanthropic supporters of sport in his community of Maple Ridge and provincially as a principal donor to the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. By always remembering his roots in Maple Ridge, Ron has had a profound impact on civic pride and has inspired many others to volunteer and support local minor sport. After coaching baseball and lacrosse, Ron helped start minor football in Maple Ridge, and among his many athletes was none other than Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Walker. Ron also went on to serve on the event committee for the 1986 BC Summer Games. A few more of his countless contributions include his service as the President of the BC Lions, being a member of the Executive Committee of the CFL Board of Governance and of course, his 38 years of service to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Teri Kempter – Artistic Swimming
Teri is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who spreads positivity within her sphere of influence. In 2020, Teri initiated a new artistic swimming club in Maple Ridge and has only amazed the community with her selfless contributions since then. Under her leadership, the club has more than doubled in size since its inaugural season. Teri has created a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for multiple athletes with diverse cognitive abilities to participate in the adaptive artistic swimming program. She instills passion in others and goes above and beyond to ensure everyone at the club feels welcome, treating everyone as family.
Gary Manson – KidSport Maple Ridge
Gary has been the Chair of the KidSport Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows chapter for the past 10 years, leading a team of volunteers who are supporting local kids with financial assistance so they can experience the joy of a season of sport. As of the end of 2023, the chapter had funded grants for nearly 1,700 kids since its inception, distributing more than $434,000 to help kids in the Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows communities experience the joy of a season of sport. We are grateful to Gary for his many years of leadership and dedication to supporting kids in Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows through KidSport. He has done a great job to engage the community and raise funds to support their granting efforts and we are pleased to recognize Gary with this award and thank him.
Sarah Matlock – Elementary School Multi-Sport
Sarah is an admired and respected teacher, colleague, leader, and coach. She volunteers hundreds of hours of her own time each school year to coach school teams, organize school athletic events, volunteer at school district athletic events, and coordinate tournaments and four school district wide cross country meets every year. Sarah is the definition of sportsmanship. She is passionate about fair and inclusive play, and ensures that all students, regardless of ability, get equal time to play. Amongst parents and colleagues, Sarah is known for her strong organizational skills, and her unyielding dedication to student athletics. Amongst students, Sarah has been a positive role model and has provided a safe space for players and students to be their true selves. Thank you, Sarah.
William McCrae – Secondary School Wrestling
Bill has coached Wrestling at Maple Ridge Secondary for the past 35 years. He has run practices, run wrestling meets and has coached about a thousand wrestlers from grades 8 to 12. He has won 7 provincial championships and coached about 17 national champions. He has also coached 2 dozen medalists in national competitions, over 2 dozen provincial champions and over 100 place finishers over the years. Bill has a huge impact on the school community and has kept wrestling alive in the city. He is truly the face of wrestling in Maple Ridge and BC.
Katie McElgunn Jonas – Baseball and Softball
Katie has coached from day one for Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association and Ridge Meadows Minor Softball Association. She epitomizes the notion of a coach who is involved because she truly loves the game and enjoys providing a positive and supportive environment for youth to be active in a sport that they also love. Katie’s dedication to the players is unwavering, and the Maple Ridge community is better for her involvement in it!
Shauna Williams – Soccer
Often when people think of Maple Ridge or Ridge Meadows Soccer Club the first person that comes to mind is Shauna. Shauna has a long history of service to grassroots soccer in Ridge Meadows. Not only is she knowledgeable, hardworking, dependable and trustworthy, but she also takes the time out of her day to help others in need. She has dedicated more than 25 years of service to community soccer and has been involved as a player, volunteer coach, team manager, webmaster, and Board member with Ridge Meadows Soccer Club. BC Soccer is privileged and honored to have Shauna in their corner this year during BC Summer Games, and they couldn’t have asked for a better person, leader, or representative.
Markus Zurberg – Archery
When Markus took up archery 7 years ago, he probably had no idea what he was in for. He thought he was just going to pick up a bow, take a few shots, and move on. To the benefit of the Maple Ridge Archery club, that didn’t happen. Markus got addicted to the sport and stuck around. He got involved as a volunteer, and then was voted in as the club board President for 2 consecutive terms. His club recently hosted the BC Indoor Archery Championship with the largest participation numbers in the history of the event. He continues his involvement with the club and the Board and has even joined the BC Archery board of directors. Markus has taken coaching courses and has been certified as a Provincial Judge. He has a passion to teach archery to veterans and para-persons. Markus’s quick wit and ever-present smile greets everyone at the archery range. The archery community is very lucky to have him.
About Sport BC
Sport BC believes in the power of sport and is committed to building stronger communities through positive sport experiences. Our goal is to enhance and support sport participation in British Columbia ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our KidSport BC, BC Amateur Sport Fund, and BC Women & Sport along with our services Sport BC Insurance, and Payroll and Group Benefits; Sport BC supports our seventy plus member organizations.
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Community Sport Hero Awards Media Contact
Thursday, June 20, 2024 Allison Mailer
Albion Community Centre Sport BC, VP Operations
@SportBC [email protected]
#PoweringSport 778-839-8576