For Immediate Release – April 25, 2025 – (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 honour 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 Fort St. John recipients will be celebrated during Sport BC’s Community Sport Hero Awards taking place on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Fort St. John, BC. Congratulations to the Fort St. John Community Sport Hero Awards Recipients and thank you for all you do for amateur sport in the Fort St. John area.
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 Fort St. John.”
2025 CSHA FORT ST. JOHN SPORT
Jason & Crystal Dutchak Rugby
Loni Evans Ice Hockey
Jennifer Hammond Figure Skating
Karl Johnson Ice Hockey
Kari Rae Speed Skating
Shadi Salehi Speed Skating
Lisa Stewart KidSport
Richard Stickel Speed Skating
Daniel Turner Soccer
Gail Weber Figure Skating
Jason and Crystal Dutchak– Rugby
Jason and Crystal are pillars of the rugby community in Fort St. John, dedicating countless hours to supporting the sport’s growth. Their support has helped create opportunities for young athletes, particularly in expanding access to the sport for female players. In 2022, Fort St. John hosted a “Girls Can Rugby Day,” aiming to introduce young females to rugby and address the gender imbalance traditionally seen in the sport. Crystal and Jason Dutchak have played a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant rugby culture in Fort St. John, inspiring many young athletes to engage with and excel in the sport.
Loni Evans – Ice Hockey
Loni is an avid volunteer within the community, supporting local numerous organizations for the past 17 years such as Women’s Soccer, Youth Soccer, BC Winter Games and Minor Hockey. In the last decade, her focus has shifted to minor hockey, the game that her young sons love so much. Loni has volunteered as a safety person, team manager, broadcaster, and coach over the last ten years. She is the current board member for the NEBC Chill Hockey Club, which is a spring hockey club focused on providing competitive spring hockey to the kids in the region. Generally, you will be sure to find her helping out in some way, whenever she is able.
Jennifer Hammond – Figure Skating
Jennifer is a coach for the Fort St John Figure Skating Club and has dedicated hours and hours of time to training skaters, and attending competitions in-person, and virtually during COVID-19. Jennifer couldn’t attend tonight because her club and 85 of their skaters are putting on their “Barbie on Ice” ice show tonight to wrap up their season. We are wishing them the best of luck tonight!
Karl Johnson – Ice Hockey
Karl has been an active coach and volunteer with minor hockey. He also volunteers his time for the drop-in sessions that are provided for additional skill development. Karl fosters a positive environment for all of the players that he works with and builds confidence within each player. Thank you, Karl, for your hours and hours of volunteer service.
Kari Rae – Speed Skating
Kari Rae has made a profound impact on the speed skating community through over a decade of leadership and volunteerism at both the local and provincial levels. As President of Speed Skating BC since 2018, a long-time club leader, Official, volunteer coach and skater, Kari has played a key role in strengthening programs and supporting athlete development both locally and across the province.
Shadi Salehi – Speed Skating
Shadi has made a significant impact on the Fort St. John community through her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the sport of speed skating. As Club President, she has provided strong leadership to the Fort St. John Speed Skating Club, guiding its growth, strengthening operations, and helping to raise the club’s profile—highlighted by the City’s proclamation of December 8th to 15th as “Speed Skating Week.” Her organizational excellence and commitment to community engagement continue to foster a thriving local speed skating community.
Lisa Stewart – KidSport
Lisa has been involved with the KidSport North Peace chapter for many years and has been treasurer since November 2005. First established in 1999, the chapter supports kids living in Fort St John and within the zone of school district #60. The chapter funded a season of sport for 66 kids totaling more than $18,000 in 2024 and has funded more than 650 kids totaling approximately $170,000 since 2012. We are pleased to recognize Lisa with this award and thank her for all her efforts on behalf of KidSport North Peace.
Richard Stickel – Speed Skating
Richard has coached and volunteered with Fort St John Speed Skating club since when his kids first joined the sport. As his kids became more involved, so did Richard, and he took on the role of head coach. He has built a solid program and has taken skaters to the Olympic level. Now that his kids have grown up, Richard continues to volunteer and coach skaters and even helps to develop the community’s upcoming coaches. Richard’s commitment to the club and sport is truly amazing.
Daniel Turner – Soccer
Daniel has been a coach and builder at the Fort St John Soccer Club for over 25 years and has coached across many age groups in that time. Daniel freely gives his time and is constantly challenging himself to learn more to serve those in the soccer community. His ability to bring players into spaces where they excel is something that is felt by many within the soccer community. As a club, Fort St John Soccer is incredibly grateful for all Daniel has poured into the teams.
Gail Weber – Figure Skating
Gail has been involved in the sport of Figure Skating for over 40 years. She has served at all levels club, regional, provincial, national and international as a volunteer for the sport. She brings expertise and leadership to clubs in the North and is able to assist them with navigating issues as she has been able to wear many different hats throughout her volunteering career. Gail was actually nominated for the Community Sport Hero Award twice, as she has also been involved with KidSport North Peace, leading the volunteer committee as chair since the chapter’s inception in 1999!
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. Keep up to date @SportBC.
Community Sport Hero Awards Media Contact
Friday, April 25, 2025 Allison Mailer
Festival Plaza, Fort St. John Sport BC, VP Operations
@SportBC [email protected]
#PoweringSport 778-839-8576