Werner Heine of 100 Mile House was the recipient of the province’s prestigious British Columbia Community Achievement Award.
During a formal presentation at Government House on April 25, Heine, along with other recipients, was honoured with a certificate and a medallion designed by B.C. artist Robert Davidson.
The citation Heine received was very praise-worthy: Werner Heine is Mr. Soccer in the South Cariboo. He believes in the power of sport for its effect on youth’s lifelong good physical health and mental well-being.
“He led the development of new tournament soccer fields, realizing their importance to the community as a way to host provincial and regional tournaments.
“He is currently head of a very successful youth refereeing program for the 100 Mile House & District Soccer Association and has been an organizer of the Terry Fox Run since 2000.”
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett nominated Heine and obtained the required letters of support.
“Nobody, in my opinion, could have done it the way Werner did, with the many hours and days he has spent putting the whole soccer project together.”
It all came from his vision, his efforts to allow children to play soccer and his ability to organize volunteers to work with them, Barnett explains.
“It takes a lot of time and effort and vision to do the work he’s done and he continues to do.”
Heine was instrumental in bringing the 2011 U-15 B Cup Provincial Championships for both boys and girls to 100 Mile House, she adds.
