SOBC Awards

We are thrilled to announce and congratulate the 2023 nominees for Special Olympics BC’s annual provincial awards! These athletes, coaches, and volunteers have shown incredible dedication and have been recognized by their peers for their brilliant accomplishments, attitudes, and contributions to Special Olympics. They are truly inspiring individuals.

Please join us in congratulating all of this year’s inspiring nominees! Read about their accomplishments highlighted by their nominators:

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ariel Taylor, Special Olympics BC – Coquitlam 

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 14 years
  • Competed in the 2014 and 2020 National Games
  • Participates in seven sports

Ashley Adie, Special Olympics BC – Campbell River

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 17 years
  • Competed in 2018 and 2020 National Games
  • Participates in six sports

Jason Mills, Special Olympics BC – Nanaimo 

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 13 years
  • Participates in three sports
  • A supportive teammate for all athletes

Jesse Frigon, Special Olympics BC – Summerland

  • Has been an athlete for 18 years
  • Participates in bowling and t-ball
  • Always comes to practices ready and prepared

Jonathan Robins, Special Olympics BC – Creston

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 25 years 
  • Competed at 2013 and 2017 World Games
  • Participates in Club Fit, curling, 5-pin bowling, bocce

Nicky Chow, Special Olympics BC – Richmond

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 16 years
  • Competed at 2016 and 2020 National Games
  • Participates in three sports

Sebastian Gylander, Special Olympics BC – Golden

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 10 years 
  • Competed at 2020 National Games
  • Participates in three sports

Torben Schuffert, Special Olympics BC – Smithers

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 11 years
  • Competed at 2016 and 2020 National Games
  • Participates in five sports

 

GRASSROOTS COACH AWARD

Adam Warren, Special Olympics BC – Richmond

  • Has been an SOBC coach for 14 years
  • Head coach for softball and floor hockey
  • Has coached five volunteers into assistant coaches
  • Joined committee in 2015 and has been an athlete mentor since

Avery Sikkes, Special Olympics BC – Elk Valley

  • Has been an SOBC coach for four years
  • Assistant coach for swimming
  • Instrumental in growing the swim club from two members to 10

Jacky Sheng, Special Olympics BC – Nanaimo 

  • Has been an SOBC coach for 21 years
  • Head coach for 5-pin bowling, assistant coach for athletics and Club Fit 
  • Looks to boost athletes’ self-esteem and confidence 

Kevin Phillips, Special Olympics BC – Kimberley/Cranbrook

  • Has been an SOBC coach for six years
  • Head coach for cross country skiing team
  • Arranged pole walking for his athletes during the offseason

Kyla Roberts, Special Olympics BC – Summerland

  • Has been an SOBC coach for 10 years
  • Head coach for swimming and t-ball 
  • Always encourages athletes to push themselves
  • Final year with SOBC

Les Andrykew, Special Olympics BC – Kamloops

  • Has been an SOBC coach for six years
  • Head coach for basketball and soccer
  • Strong supporter of athletes physical and mental health

Sandra Schuffert, Special Olympics BC – Smithers

  • Has been an SOBC coach for seven years
  • Head coach for snowshoeing and assistant coach for aquatics 
  • Sets personal and physical goals for each athlete she coaches

Terry Kratzman, Special Olympics BC – Campbell River 

  • Has been an SOBC coach for six years
  • Head coach for the curling team
  • Offers extra skill development workshops for all his athletes

Valerie Beebe, Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for six years
  • Head coach for the golf team
  • Looks to create connections deeper than just sports

 

HOWARD CARTER AWARD

Gale Jones, Special Olympics BC – Smithers

  • Has been an SOBC coach for 10 years
  • Head coach for aquatics and Club Fit
  • Coached at the 2018 National Games

Tracy Fleming, Special Olympics BC – Summerland

  • Has been an SOBC coach for 20 years
  • Head coach for 5-pin bowling
  • Coached at 2018 National Games
     

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Aaron Gelowitz, Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for five years
  • Is the fundraising coordinator for SOBC – Chilliwack
  • Spearheaded 50/50 fundraiser for first time
  • Seeks time to connect with athletes to encourage and support them

Cheryl Clay, Special Olympics BC – Campbell River

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for 11 years
  • Ensures that each athlete is registered
  • Coordinates and coaches the curling program
  • Takes time to help other areas such as fundraising

Christine Rak, Special Olympics BC – Surrey

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for 17 years
  • Has been treasurer for five years
  • Filled in as athletics coach when needed

Ivy-Lynne Stein, Special Olympics BC – Kimberley/Cranbrook

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for 11 years
  • Provides wide-ranging skills and support
  • Big recruiter of volunteers and athletes

Kailee Bowman, Special Olympics BC – Victoria

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for 13 years
  • Supervises all head coaches and sports managers
  • Volunteers at events when needed to give athletes opportunities

Phoebe Lau, Special Olympics BC – Richmond

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for 14 years
  • Develops youth sports programs
  • Stepped up as a coach in the 2013 and 2017 Summer Games

Shawn Carter, Special Olympics BC – Summerland

  • Has been an SOBC volunteer for seven years
  • Treasurer – handles financial matters
  • Stepped in as a basketball coach for two years

 

SPIRIT OF SPORT AWARD

Betty Coleman, Special Olympics BC – Chilliwack

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 41 years
  • Active participant in many Out of Sport opportunities the Local attends
  • Great role model through SOBC and outside volunteer work

Bill Polz, Special Olympics BC – Nanaimo

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 30 years
  • Competes in bowling and golf
  • Supportive teammate who is always willing to help

Christopher Lakusta, Special Olympics BC – Langley

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for eight years
  • Is Vice-Chair on his athlete’s council
  • Is an athlete speaker and speaks at many SOBC - Langley events

Claire Lemaire, Special Olympics BC – Creston

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 12 years
  • Is a Health Messenger and Athlete Representative 
  • Is a natural leader who always encourages her peers

Claudia Spies, Special Olympics BC – Summerland

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 18 years 
  • Active member in multiple fundraising efforts
  • Always has infectious positive energy

Drew Sabourin, Special Olympics BC – Victoria

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 20 years
  • Has volunteered at multiple SOBC events
  • Acts as an encouraging mentor to other athletes

Kaylee Richter, Special Olympics BC – Smithers

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for seven years
  • Is the Health Messenger for her Local
  • Takes on a leadership role and encourages other athletes

Rob McLean, Special Olympics BC – Kamloops

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 19 years
  • Great leader with exceptional caregiver abilities
  • Very friendly with a positive mindset at all times

Ryan Stewart, Special Olympics BC – Richmond

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 18 years
  • Has been an Athlete Representative and Athlete Speaker
  • Created a partnership between his Local and the West Richmond Community Centre

Sean Beddows, Special Olympics BC – Surrey

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 25 years
  • Actively helps at fundraising events
  • Always encouraging and cheering on other athletes

Terrance Poirier, Special Olympics BC – Coquitlam

  • Is in their first year as an SOBC athlete
  • Acts as a mentor and helps athletes that may be struggling
  • Always has a positive mindset and is ready to participate

Tyler Kent, Special Olympics BC – Quesnel

  • Has been an SOBC athlete for 11 years
  • Has a very positive attitude at all times
  • Has grown from disinterested to engaged and motivated 

 

BC LETR AWARD

Cst. Azad Vizheh, North Vancouver  RCMP

  • Has been involved in the LETR for four years
  • Has coordinated LETR events at his detachment in 2021 and 2022
  • Selected to attend  the LETR International Conference in Texas in 2022

Det/Cst. Cam Mackay, Vancouver Police Department

  • Has been involved in the LETR for 10 years
  • Has played a leading role in the VPD’s Torch Run and Polar Plunge events over the years
  • Instrumental in VPD’s Club Fit program

Cst. Dan Galano, Victoria Police Department

  • Has been involved in the LETR for five years
  • Has sat on the organizing committee for  the Torch Run and the Polar Plunge events in Greater Victoria over the past two years
  • Has independently raised over $18,000 for Special Olympics BC

Officer Josh Burneau, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement

  • Has been involved in the LETR for six years
  • Helps organize the Polar Plunge in Kamloops every year
  • Ensures that athletes are included in all LETR events

Sgt. Michelle Luca, Ridge Meadows  RCMP

  • Has been involved in the LETR for approximately 10 years
  • One of the lead event coordinator for the Polar Plunge and Torch Run in Ridge Meadows
  • Has helped raise over $13,000 for SOBC in the past year

Heartfelt congratulations to all the deserving nominees! Winners will receive their awards in their communities in spring 2023. SOBC looks forward to honouring all the deserving winners and nominees in a virtual awards ceremony in early fall 2023, kicking off the next sport season with an inspiring celebration! Stay tuned for details!
 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOBC'S PROVINCIAL AWARDS