Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - North Shore News - A25

SPORTS AWARDS See inside p. 26

GROWING CHAMPIONS See inside p. 27

NOMINATE ONLINE See inside p. 28

a celebration of sport achievementa celebration of sport achievement

presented by: event sponsors:founding sponsor:

The North Vancouver Recreation Commission is proud

to support the annual

North ShoreSport Awards

We salute the thousands of North Shore residents of all ages who play, coach, and volunteer

in community sport.

Check out our sports programs for all ages in our current Leisure Guide available at all North Vancouver Community Recreation Centres and online @ northvanrec.com.

the place for sports

northvanrec.com604 987 PLAY (7529)

A26 - North Shore News - Wednesday, February 9, 2011

North Shore Sport Awardswww.nssportawards.com

The North Shore Sport Awards celebrates sport achievement at all levels: community, high school, provincial, national and international, and includes categories for coaching and officiating. This unique event salutes those who excel in all levels of sport and fosters pride in our North Shore sport community.

How to Get InvolvedNominate someone you know!Do you know someone whose talent and ability have made a difference to community sport in 2010? We have over 15 categories to choose from, and using our new online nomination form makes nominating someone easier than ever before.

Attend this year’s eventThis year’s event takes place at 7:30pm on April 5th at Park Royal Shopping Centre (North Mall). Come and be inspired by the amazing athletes, coaches and volunteers.

VolunteerIf you want to be a part of this exciting and entertaining community celebration, contact us to find out about volunteer opportunities.

For more information, visit us online at www.nssportawards.com

Youth Female:Anna Kozniuk - field hockeyYouth Male:Taylor Curran - field hockeyOpen Female:Maelle Ricker - SnowboardingOpen Male:Manuel Osborne-Paradis - alpine skiingMaster Female:Joan Parnell - swimmingMaster Male:Rob Lonergan - runningCoach:Steve Bush - waterskiingTeam:North Shore Twins - Baseball

Community Sport Volunteer:Paul Winstanley - field hockeyPara-Athlete:Lauren Woolstencroft - alpine skiingComeback:Drew Neilson - snowboardingDoug Querns - triathlon/runningSpecial Olympian:Lindsay Hall - swimming & athleticsStephan Scheoller - basketball, soccer & field hockeyFair Play:Eugene Minn - volleyballLifetime Achievement:Olga Kotelko - athleticsFred Schulof - swimmingYouth Leadership:Preet Gandhi - basketballKim Garma - basketballMika Janzen - volleyballOutstanding Athletic Program:Handsworth Royal Girls athletic programLifetime Coaching Achievement:Nicky Carroll - gymnastics

2010 WINNERS

The District of West Vancouver is a proud supporter of the North Shore Sport Awards. West Vancouver Community Services offers a variety of sport programs for all ages and levels: Soccer, Pickleball, Floorball, Basketball, Volleyball, and Badminton to name a few. Look for exciting sport opportunities in the Spring and Summer West Vancouver Leisure Guide, available online February 18th, or check out what we currently offer at westvancouverrec.ca

West Vancouver is a True Sport Community.

westvancouverrec.ca

BECOME A SPONSOROver 5,000 spectators will be enjoying the highest level of youth baseball -- put your business in front of them while helping seven North Shore Leagues provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Mahon Park in North Vancouver.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERSLast year showed the world that Vancouver knows how to welcome guests with open arms. Are you keen to recapture that spirit? We are looking for positive, outgoing, can-do folks who can help us make that happen.

Find out more about the event,sponsorships and volunteer opportunities at

www.vancouver2011.ca

SPONSORS

Sussex Insurance Presents the

CANADIAN LITTLE LEAGUECHAMPIONSHIP

North Vancouver - Aug. 6-13, 2011Teams representing the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies and BC vie for the National Champions title and the opportunity to represent Canada in Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the internationally televised Little League World Series.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - North Shore News - A27

www.nssportawards.com North Shore Sport Awards

CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE BEGINS WITH NORTH SHORE FACILITIES

The North Shore is home to with an incredible array of local sports facilities. From swimming pools and soccer fields to ski hills and mountain bike trails, there’s something for everyone with a passion for sports.

It’s no surprise then when local athletes combine ability, drive and access to training and playing facilities to rise to the top of their sports.

For Maelle Ricker, winner of Olympic Snowboard Gold at the 2010 Winter Games and recipient of the 2010 North Shore Sport Award in the Open Female category, it was a journey that led to the top.

“It was almost too good to be true,” said Maelle. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put it in words. Getting a chance to be an Olympian, a chance to compete in a home country Olympics, a chance to compete in my backyard at the Olympics, a chance to medal on home soil. I’m a lucky girl.”

For her, the journey began right here on the North Shore.

“That was a huge part of my development. I’m a huge believer of having a broad range of skills from different sports and activities, and then using your skills in the sport or sports one decides to focus on later in life.”

Though currently out with an injury, Maelle’s training continues.“Right now it’s lots of rehab, lots of physio, lots of gym

time. It’s not so bad, just not what I want to be doing in the middle of winter. It’s just an arm. It could be much worse.”

For the North Shore Twins BC Premier League Baseball team, access to North Shore facilities has helped them rise to dominance in a highly competitive league.

“First and foremost, a baseball player needs to be an athlete,” said Rick Elstone, Manager of the North Shore Twins. “We’ve found over the years that there are a great many top

notch athletes on the North Shore. That athleticism has been honed through players experiencing many years of activities on the fields and rinks of the North Shore. Whether it is soccer, football, hockey, rugby or just working out in the gym, our guys have had the opportunity to develop their skills at home on the North Shore.”

In 2009, the Twins won the BC Premier League Baseball (BCPBL) Championship for an unprecedented third year in a

row and at the 2010 North Shore Sport Awards, took home Team of the Year honours.

“Every one of our titles was satisfying for different reasons but the third provincial title had a special glow in that we achieved what no other BCPBL team had done before,” explained Elstone. “It was done in the face of some very good competition and the reigning champion is always the team that the rest of the league saves their best efforts for. I think what was especially good about the 2009 title was that nearing the end of the season, the guys had been struggling but when it counted, they were able to play like the champions that they were.”Looking ahead to 2011, Elstone is

optimistic.“Last year’s rookies have had a year’s

Premier Baseball League experience, we’ve had a couple players move over from the Cannons and we are getting a good crop of juniors moving up from the Junior Twins. Our new Head Coach, Larson Bauck approaches the game with lots of energy and drive and over the fall and winter work, I think that enthusiasm has rubbed off on the boys.”

Next time you pass a North Shore playing field, take a moment to stop and watch the teams. You might just be looking at champions.

Maelle Ricker, North Shore Olympian, winner of Snowboard Gold Medal.

Capilano University Department of Athletics and Recreation2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver

www.capilanou.ca/blues

Capilano University present

SPRING BREAKEUROPEAN

SOCCER CAMPSWith International Youth Coaches from U.B. Catalonia of Barcelona

U.B. Catalonia of Barcelona and Capilano University are pleased to offer a unique soccer development experience to the youth of the North Shore.

The U.B. Catalonia Youth Soccer Academy is affi liated with F.C. Barcelona, one of the most famous professional soccer clubs in Europe.

This will be a unique opportunity to be coached by outstanding coaches in the Barcelona Youth Soccer Development System. Players will experience a variety of new and exciting drills and techniques throughout the week.

ALSO FOR SPRING BREAK 2011:BLUES BASKETBALL CAMPS • BLUES VOLLEYBALL CAMPS

To Register for Blues Sports Camps or for more info:Visit: www.capilanou.ca/blues Call: 604-990-7805Email: blues@capilanou.ca

Avoid disappointment and register today!

Camp Gender Age Date Time Cost

SC-1 Boys/Girls 7-9 March 21-25 9:00-11:00 $150

SC-2 Boys/Girls 10-12 March 21-25 11:30-1:30 $150

SC-3 Boys/Girls 13-15 March 21-25 2:30-4:30 $150

The 2011 YHL Season is Here

SEASON DETAILSSEASON DETAILSEvaluation Weekend: March 26/27Evaluation Weekend: March 26/27Season Start Date: April 2/3Season Start Date: April 2/3Season End Date: June 25/26Season End Date: June 25/261 Evaluation & 10 Games1 Evaluation & 10 Games5 on 5 format5 on 5 formatGame Length 1 hourGame Length 1 hour All games are played on weekendsAll games are played on weekends

PRICINGPRICINGIndividual Price:Individual Price:$220.00 + HST$220.00 + HST

Team Price:Team Price:$3225.00 + HST$3225.00 + HST

YHL 2011YHL 2011PLAYER ANDPLAYER AND TEAMREGISTRATION

The 2011 YHL Season is Here

The North Shore Plays

FIELD HOCKEY!

All skill levels and ages welcome!

West Vancouver Field Hockey ClubJunior Girls and Junior Boys Spring LeagueAdanacs Player Development and Camps

Women’s and Men’s Winter League

www.wvfhc.comThank-you to our many volunteers.

Photo: Wilfred Lach

A28 - North Shore News - Wednesday, February 9, 2011

GET YOUR NOMINATIONSIN TODAY - Now Online

From the venue to sponsors to categories, the North Shore Sport Awards is a unique event among community celebrations in Canada. Since 1998, the North Shore Sport Awards have been an important community ceremony for linking and recognizing the thousands of athletes, officials, coaches and volunteers in North and West Vancouver who keep our playing fields and facilities occupied and our trophy cases full. They bring us together and provide vital recognition to all who contribute.

This year, the nomination have been made easier with teh addition of an online nominating process. By visiting the North Shore Sport Awards website at www.nssportawards.com, not only will you find information about this year’s program and winners from past years, you’ll also find information on this year’s ceremony being held at Park Royal on the evening of April 5th and an online nomination form for 12 athletic categories.

From Youth and Master athletes to coaches, officials, volunteers, Special Olympians and more there’s bound to be a category that fits someone you know. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

The bright new website is worth visiting, not just for this year’s ceremony, but for links to photos and videos from past ceremonies and contacts to the North and West Vancouver recreation commissions.

The North Shore is one of the most active, involved communities in Canada. Our athletes and their families are engaged in the training, commitment and focus it takes to reach outstanding performance at local regional, national

www.nssportawards.comNorth Shore Sport Awards

2010 North Shore Sport Awards emcee Don Rutherford welcomes everyone to the well- attended ceremony.

and world levels. The awards are our chance to thank them for their hard work and provide them with much needed encouragement.

For our residents, the ceremony is a chance to connect with friends and neighbours, to meet the people hard at play on the fields, and learn that the best place on earth to live is also home to some of the best athletes on earth.

The stories you will hear of dedication, perseverance and commitment in the face of often distant odds highlight the benefits of sport participation and provide an evening of inspiration.

Check it out online now at www.nssportsawards.com

Olympic Torch Bearers Maurice Latash Nahanee (Squamish Nation elder), Anne Bethune (Volunteer with Vancouver Adapted Snow Sports), Kai O’Krane, and Frank Kurucz (West Van resident who lit the cauldron at the West Vancouver Community Centre) attended the 2010 North Shore Sport Awards ceremony

Nominate Now!

Sports Offi cialAn offi cial who has assistedathletes’ development

Community Sport VolunteerAn organizer, trainer or manager

TeamAmateur team competingin an organized league

Athlete with a DisabilityAthlete with physical or mental disability

Play FairAn athlete, coach or manager who has demonstrated true sportmanship

CoachCoach who is NCCP certifi ed

Youth FemaleAthlete 18 & under as of December 31, 2010

Youth MaleAthlete 18 & under as of December 31, 2010

Open FemaleAthlete 19 to 39 years of age

Open MaleAthlete 19 to 39 years of age

Master FemaleAthlete 40 years of age or older

Master MaleAthlete 40 years of age or older

The North Shore Sport Awards ceremony will take place onTuesday, April 5th, 7:30pm at Park Royal Shopping Centre - North Mall.

The North Shore Sport Awards is a celebration of sport achievement at all levels; community, high school, provincial, and international.

Nominate online at www.nssportawards.comDeadline for your nominations is Noon, February 23, 2011.

presented by: event sponsors:founding sponsor:

Nominate someone you know, or yourself, for recognition in these categories:

c e l e b r at i n g s p o r t a c h i e v e m e n tc e l e b r at i n g s p o r t a c h i e v e m e n t