From an owner who spends hours promoting his team both on and off the ice to the umpire who braves curve balls all season long just to see the joy of kids being able to play ball.
The North Okanagan is full of individuals who dedicate their time and talents to the love of sport. And now the North Okanagan can officially recognize such devotion.
Every year a North Okanagan Athlete and Team of the Year is awarded after a committee sifts through public nominations.
Now the committee has expanded its trophy collection to include the North Okanagan Leadership in Sport Award (sponsored by Tim Hortons).
While the athletes generally get all the credit, the committee agreed it was time to recognize those who have spent considerable time behind the scenes.
Such people have been honoured in the past through the Ernie Kowal Memorial Award, presented at the now defunct Brent Gilchrist B.C. Children’s Hospital Charity Golf Classic.
“There is some more recognition that needs to be done in Vernon,” said Ken Richardson, co-chair of the awards committee.
“There’s some hidden people out there,” he said. “It’s for people who have dedicated and committed themselves to a sport for a long period.”
This new category recognizes the outstanding contribution of a sport leader or organization which exemplifies the spirit of sport, such as ground-breaking organizational leadership, innovative practices or cutting-edge sports marketing. The public is invited to nominate their choices for the three awards. A final decision will be made by the sports committee. Nominations close June 1. Watch The Morning Star for nomination ballots.
