The Annual Awards Night
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
2018-2019 Recipient:
Tessa Webb
Tessa Webb coaches both Active Start and FUNdamentals programs. Active Start is a pre-sport program for children aged 2-6 years. FUNdamentals is a similar program for children aged 7-11 years.
Tessa always has a positive attitude towards parents, other volunteers and the children in her group. She has an excellent way of relating to the children, pushing them to do better, but also celebrating their individual skills and accomplishments. She seems to understand when the kids are giving it their all and when they are not. She is patient, kind and un-phased by resistive or defiant behaviours she encounters.
Our parents say that she is everything a parent would want in a coach for their youngster, and even more so in the setting of various disabilities. Tessa creates a fun environment, uses good time management, is well organized with directing her volunteers and always fosters an inclusive attitude.
SOBC-Abbotsford is so thankful for Tessa and her positive influence in our Active Start and FUNdamentals athletes’ lives.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee: Rick Lang
Rick Lang, the curling coach, has taught the curlers in our program so much since taking over two years ago! He has focussed on skills with the athletes… things like how to slide from hack, how to properly sweep, and how to think strategically!
Rick is very positive with all athletes. He makes sure that athletes of all abilities are included in the weekly practices, and lets everyone know that they matter and are part of the Team!
Rick spent much time working with the Abbotsford team before going to Provincials in Vernon, and it paid off: they came home with Bronze medals! Some other long time coaches at the Provincial Games were so impressed at this coach's patience and easy manner with athletes, on and off the ice. It is always a pleasure to work with Coach Rick!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Leslie Bowling
Leslie Bowling oversees both the 5-Pin Bowling and Bocce programs for our Local.
She is very good with the organization of the athletes and volunteers. She always has a moment for any volunteer, if they happen to have any questions or concerns.
In observing her with the athletes, she is very caring with each one. She cheers them on and encourages them.
She checks with each team to see how everyone is doing.
Also, the athletes love her and they are always interacting with her! That is so very important in our volunteers!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Evelyn Robinson
Evelyn Robinson has stepped up this year to help out with the athletes who wanted to participate in 10-pin Bowling. We were not able to offer the sport in Abbotsford because of a lack of venue, but Evelyn was willing to not only volunteer but even transport a small group of athletes to a neighbouring Local so they could continue with the sport they love!
She goes way above what is expected of a SOBC Coach, and has given love and support to athletes and has changed lives for the better.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Braden Laverty
Braden Laverty has been a dedicated coach with our Local for 6 years. He is a mature and responsible young man with a strong work ethic and dedication to any task. Braden brings commitment and enthusiasm and strong leadership skills as he instils a sense of teamwork and fun into his coaching.
Braden coaches both Club Fit and Athletics and and so is involved for the entire year of Special O. in Abbotsford.
Braden always handles himself professionally and has that ability to develop a rapport quickly. As an athlete himself, Braden is often called upon to take on higher responsibilities with our training and the responsibility for managing our teams at competitions. He has taken on the role as a mentor to some of our junior program volunteers, always providing positive guidance.
Calm, cool and collected, Braden demonstrates by his words and actions the Vision, Mission and Values of Special Olympics.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
John Porter
John Porter has been assisting with coaching Floor Hockey for the past couple of years. He has been wonderful with the seasoned athletes and is patient with the new athletes.
Without his support, our athletes would not benefit from understanding the rules, getting their gear set up properly, making sure the gear is at practice and having a coach on the floor practicing with them! He attends every practice and arrives early to help set up the nets.
At our tournaments, John is on the bench keeping the lines straight. John is a positive influence and encourages the athletes to try their best!
Our Floor hockey program would not run nearly as smoothly without John!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Shawn Wilson
Shawn Wilson has been volunteering and coaching the Floor Hockey team for the past number of years. He was integral in preparing for the Annual Floor Hockey tournament and ensuring it went off seamlessly....well....kinda.
This past season he was part of coaching the B team going to Provincial games in Vernon. This meant additional time at practices to prepare the team. He remains calm on the bench and encourages the players to see the great things they accomplished and how they can continually improve their game. He was responsible for bringing the gear and jersey washing – which is a stinky job and massive task. Shawn helped lead the team to the Silver medal in the A division during the Provincial games! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Nancy Bergen
Nancy Bergen has shown over the last number of years a willingness to improve her coaching certification by participating in workshops and taking coaching courses. She has taken on assistant coaching in Rhythmic Gym, she volunteers at Club Fit and Track and Field
Nancy is organized, kind, committed and very diligent in her inclusion of athletes of all abilities. She has taken over the warmup and fitness portion of the RG practice and has developed warmup routines that all athletes can and do participate in.
Nancy is a positive role model to our other volunteers, guiding them in their volunteer positions, making sure all are aware of the responsibilities of their jobs and including and encouraging all.
Nancy is a joy to work with, she is never in a bad mood, always full of fun and the athletes, volunteers and other coaches love working with and for her.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Coach of the Year
Nominee:
Vince Astoria
Vince Astoria has been with our Local for over 30 years. He was here right from the start! Vince started and was Head Coach of our Soccer program for about 25 years… and he is now one of our Softball coaches.
Vince is always very encouraging to all of the athletes on his teams, and has a great, fun rapport with them. Coaches and athletes both appreciate his kindness and sense of humour.
As a former law enforcement officer, Vince has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) fundraising events. This year, he was instrumental in helping 4 of our Abbotsford athletes to raise a whopping $1500 for the Polar Plunge. He was also a big help and supporter of the first APD Heroes Ninja Challenge Run this year as the APD transitioned from their long standing 5/10km Run to combination 5km Run & Fun obstacle course, turning it into a more family-friendly event. Vince was one of the volunteers that made sure that the new event was a huge success.
We so appreciate all that Vince has done, and continues to do, for our Local!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Volunteer of the Year
2018-2019 Recipient:
Desirée Morhart
Desirée Morhart, for the past couple of years, has taken on increasing roles within our Local. She has volunteered as coach in a number of our programs and then, last year, she took the leap to be part of our Local Committee. Within the Committee, she does an amazing job in her role; she is willing to be anywhere to meet the needs of the Local Committee and the athletes and always with a smile and great laugh!
Desirée has shown a willingness to learn more about SOBC and the administrative side of programming and the organization as a whole, having attended the Leadership Summit on behalf of SOBC-Abbotsford.
She is the first to put her hand up to be part of a committee such as the dances and the banquet and at those meetings, she is the first to have her hand up to volunteer for duties!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Volunteer of the Year
Nominee:
Gerry Reid
Gerry Reid is a very kind and caring volunteer. He is good with all the athletes, by encouraging them and guiding them when necessary.
He has been a very reliable volunteer at our 5-Pin Bowling program for many years.
He is also an important volunteer at our Bocce program. Gerry is one of the first to help set up the Bocce courts, and he is always there to help to take them down at the end of practice.
Thank you Gerry, for being an example of what a strong and steady volunteer looks like for our Local!
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Volunteer of the Year
Nominee:
Karissa Thompson
Karissa Thompson has been volunteering with Rhythmic Gymnastics for a number of years and when she began she was a shy, very quiet young woman.
She has since become a valuable volunteer who shows a willingness to learn, and increasing confidence to work with any of our athletes. She is patient in teaching the athletes assigned to her. Karissa has become confident in her knowledge of the mandatory routines and these require a lot of memory work!
She is cheerful and active in all aspects of the program— from the warmup, to skill development, the fun games we play and especially, lately, with individual coaching of our younger RG athletes.
Karissa always comes to our annual competitions and helps out with the set up, and during the whole (sometimes very long!) days.
We appreciate her and hope to see her volunteer and grow in her association with Special Olympics in the future.
SOBC Award of Merit:
2018-2019 Recipient:
Roshan Gosal
Roshan Gosal has been a dedicated volunteer since he was 15 years of age. He has had an amazing impact on our Local; not only in his role as a coach, but because of the outstanding work he has done with Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. This initiative has been recognized locally, provincially, nationally and now at the world level. Roshan has done an amazing job recruiting and engaging youth within our Local but also within the community. He is passionate about the work he does for Special Olympics and the athletes that he supports. He is passionate about soccer and is driven to provide the best program for the athletes. He worked hard to develop himself as a coach and understand Special Olympics policies in order to take over as Head Coach for the soccer program. He considers the athletes his friends and he shows great compassion and empathy for them. Roshan founded the “Friends of Special Olympics” Volunteering club at UFV. This program is now recognized for student credit.
Roshan sits on the SOBC Leadership Council for Youth Representation; he has sat on Special Olympics Canada Council for Youth; he is the President of UFV Friends of Special Olympics, and he has been the SOBC Abbotsford Community Outreach-Youth Coordinator.
His service to our Local has been outstanding.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Athlete of the Year
2018-2019 Recipient:
Brooke Watkins
Brooke Watkins was a dedicated and hardworking athlete. Brooke strived to be her very best and brought her very best to the field of play. She was competitive and fierce, loved sport and her team mates. She was encouraging to her team mates, fellow athletes and coaches and always displayed outstanding sportsmanship with a smile.
During her illness Brooke always asked about Special Olympics, practices, team mates and her desire was to return.
Although Brooke did not compete this year she is a worthy candidate for “Athlete” of the year. Her character and tenacity during her illness exemplify the Special Olympics Athlete’s oath.
During her illness she was bound and determined to beat her cancer. Although it was not meant to be, and she did not win, this young lady displayed true strength, courage and bravery.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Athlete of the Year
Nominee:
Kevin Lundquist
Kevin Lundquist started playing floor hockey in the fall of 2018 with the C team. He made it to all the practices, and even though, for most of them, he faced some health challenges, he always returned ready to play. He participated in all the activities and always had a smile on his face! He accepts suggestions to improve on his skill set and always had a positive attitude. Kevin was a joy to coach and encourage and we look forward to having him come back and share his energy with the rest of the team
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Athlete of the Year
Nominee:
Justice Erikson
We have observed Justice Erikson over the last couple of years and we see an athlete who meets all of the criteria to be a star with our organization. He has taken Athlete Leadership workshops to better himself and he is a positive representative of our organization. Justice volunteers outside his sports in social situations: taking photos at our dances and dinners and accepting speaking engagements to support SOBC-Abbotsford. He is polite and respectful, and well-liked and respected by his fellow athletes.
SOBC-Abbotsford Award of Merit:
Athlete of the Year
Nominee:
Katie Marchbank
Katie Marchbank is a very special athlete and we are so grateful that she participates in Figure Skating. Here are the reasons why: She is always in a good mood! She encourages others both in the Special Olympics skating group and also the other skaters in other programs at the rink. She knows her stuff and is able to help in leading warmups and cool downs. She is a multi-sport athlete who values athletics and a healthy lifestyle. Katie stays positive even through injury. She continually pushes herself to better her personal best at each competition. She is always setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
Volunteer Award of Merit Criteria:
A volunteer within Special Olympics Abbotsford will, most of the time:
Demonstrate a positive attitude towards all athletes and other volunteers. Arrive on time and prepared for practices and events.
Follow through on commitments made and responsibilities accepted. Contribute in unexpected ways to SOBC Abbotsford
Athlete Award of Merit Criteria:
An athlete within Special Olympics Abbotsford will:
Demonstrate a positive attitude.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Show a commitment to improving skills and fitness level.
Show a willingness to be a leader at practices and events. Arrive on time and prepared for practices and events. Show a strong commitment to his/her team(s).
Coach Award of Merit Criteria:
A coach within Special Olympics Abbotsford will:
Demonstrate positive coaching.
Take opportunities to become a better coach through training seminars, workshops. Set goals for the season.
Plan inclusively for athletes of all abilities.
Mentor the other volunteers in his/her sport.
Service Award of Merit Criteria:
This year we had some wonderful submissions for our Awards of Merit. Just like last year, the Local Committee felt that there was one particular individual who stood out as an amazing contributor and supporter of Special Olympics. We have decided that we will award a deserving individual with the SOBC Abbotsford Service Award. This award will be presented to an individual who shows commitment, contribution, dedication and innovation beyond what is expected of them in their involvement with Special Olympics Abbotsford.
