The NETWORK SUMMER 2006 BC TAKES SILVER MEDALS AT 2006 WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BC settled for two silver medals at the 2006 National Championships did his job.” Hagreen scored 36 points in the final. Burnaby’s that took place May 19 – 21st, at RIM Park in Waterloo, Ontario. Roberto Molina is a rookie on the provincial team who has Both BC teams were looking to improve on their 2005 finish shown a lot of promise of late. “We played well as a team but where the women won bronze and the men silver in Edmonton, Patrick Anderson was just too good,” claimed head coach Peter AB. The women were able to do that with a 62-36 loss to the Taylor of Surrey. “Erik played well coming off an injury and Edmonton Inferno in the final while the men made it status quo Roberto did well for his first time at this level.” with a 78-62 loss to Ontario. The women had a terrific tournament until the final The men started out strong championship game. in the final closing the first “Every time we played quarter at 21 a piece. But them (Edmonton) this they were not able to hold year the games were close,” that momentum as by the said head coach Tim Frick halftime, they were down of Port Coquitlam. “We 42-27. Though they kept had a good tournament pace with Ontario in the up until this game but we second half, they were not didn’t get any breaks at the able to make up the deficit. start and couldn’t generate any offence. The Inferno “We were right in there played good defence and but had a bad quarter,” said held us in the 30s.” Erik Hagreen of Vancouver, “but we had a chance to have some of our rookies shine, Richard Peter and Vancouver’s Jaimie Borisoff received all-stars in particular, Roberto. This was his first exposure to basketball for the men, while Carrie Linegar of Vancouver received an at this level and he was a huge part on defence. He definitely all-star for the women.

Game Scores: Men: BC 55 – Manitoba 23 BC 76 – Saskatchewan 39 BC 67 – Quebec 65 (semi) Ontario. 78 – BC 62 (final)

Women: BC 55 – Calgary 34 BC 62 – SOS 23 BC 60 – Burlington 30 BC 68 – Variety Village 39 (semi) Inferno 62 – BC 36 (final)

above: BC Women’s Team left: BC Men’s Team 2 The NETWORK

BC WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES DOUGLAS COLLEGE CHAMPS AT THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY 2006 CANADIAN WHEELCHAIR PARTNERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT: BASKETBALL LEAGUE FINALS

2006 CWBL Finals Gold Medallists – the Douglas College Dingos

The 2006 Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Open League Finals were held March 31 – April 2 in Fredericton New Brunswick. Improving from their bronze medal performance in 2005, the BC Conference representative team Douglas College captured the Gold Medal in dominating form.

Douglas College played a strong team game with all players contributing to the championship title with a 64-44 win over CIVA-Montreal. In the final match-up Brian McLennon (Vancouver, BC) led scoring with 17 points, while Arley McNeney Suite 224 - 1367 West Broadway (New Westminster, BC), and Peter Taylor (Surrey, BC) followed with 15 and 14 points Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9 respectively. 604 737 3138 phone 604 737 6043 fax National team member Jaimie Borisoff (Vancouver BC) and BC Provincial team [email protected] email member McLennon were named to the All-Star Team. Other team members included www.bcwbs.ca website McNeney, Taylor, Don Turner (Burnaby BC), Ken Hall (Vancouver BC) and Scott Allen (Vancouver BC). Douglas College has previously won this championship in 1996 & 1997. Managing Director Carrie Linegar Provincial Coach Marni Abbott-Peter AUGUST 25–27, 2006 Board of Directors 2007 CANADA WINTER GAMES TEAM SELECTION CAMP President Dean Brokop The selection camp for this team will be held on August 25–27, 2006 at Douglas Vice-President Chris Samis College in New Westminster. This three day camp starting at noon on Friday, August Secretary MJ Boudreault 25th will consist of seminars in mental training, nutrition and anti-doping, fitness Treasurer Aaron Wilson testing, drills and controlled scrimmages. The 2007 Team will be named on Sunday Director at Large Ross MacDonald afternoon. Athletes are responsible for your own travel arrangements. Each athlete Director at Large Michelle Stilwell will be charged an assessment fee of $50.00 to help cover the cost of the camp, lunches, Director at Large Sarah Sugiyama etc. Remember eligible athletes are born January 1st, 1983 or later. Please contact Canadian Mail Publications Head Coach Marni Abbott-Peter if you are interested in attending – [email protected]. Agreement #40562516 The NETWORK 3 PACERS & DINGOS TOP 2006 BC-CWBL FINALS

BC-CWBL Division 2 Champs – the Prince George Pacers BC-CWBL Division 2 All-Stars and MVP The 2006 BC Wheelchair Basketball League Finals (BC-CWBL) BC-CWBL Finals Tournament Awards took place March 10–12th at Douglas College in New Westminster, DIVISION 1: BC. In total, nine teams from around the province participated MVP: Jaimie Borisoff, Douglas Dingos in two divisions of competition. Dominating division 2 play, the All-Stars: Ross MacDonald, Douglas Lions Prince George Pacers won their first BC-CWBL championship by Brian McLennon, Douglas Dingos beating their opponents by an average of 31 points per game. Misty Thomas, Douglas Royals Prince George’s first place finish was a great team effort by all Bo Hedges, Douglas Royals players including Rookie of the Year and Div 2 MVP Chris Marni Abbott, Douglas Lions Foucher and All-Star Avril Harris who lead the team to a 59-44 DIVISION 2: win over the Lower Mainland Canada Games team in the final MVP: Chris Foucher, Prince George Pacers game. In division 1, the Douglas College Dingos captured the All-Stars: Matt Ficocelli, Okanagan Thunder Division 1 title by earning the most divisional points throughout Adam La Forest, Oceanside Tsunami the season lead by league MVP Jaimie Borisoff. The Dingos end Avril Harris, Prince George Pacers the BC-CWBL season with a 11-1 record. Sunera Samarakoon, LM Canada Games Mark Saunders, Oceanside Tsunami Special thanks to our tournament sponsors and supporters including Douglas College, Advanced Mobility, Panago Pizza, TOURNAMENT RESULTS Canadian Springs and Hershey Canada. March 10 –12, 2006 at Douglas College: BC-CWBL FINAL STANDINGS DIVISION 1: Douglas College Royals 42 – Dingos 63 DIVISION 1: Douglas College Lions 59 – Royals 65 1st – Douglas College Dingos Douglas College Lions 51 – Dingos 73 2nd – Douglas College Royals Douglas College Royals 49 – Dingos 70 3rd – Douglas College Lions Douglas College Lions 36 – Royals 76 Douglas College Lions 50 – Dingos 66 DIVISION 2: 1st – Prince George Pacers 4th – Okanagan Thunder DIVISION 2: 2nd – LM Canada Games 5th – Ski-Doo Ski-Doo 24 – LM Canada Games 47 3rd – Oceanside Tsunami 6th – Vancouver Bull-dawgs Oceanside Tsunami 48 – Vancouver Bull-dawgs 16 Okanagan Thunder 49 – Ski-Doo 29 BC-CWBL AWARDS Vancouver Bull-dawgs 29 – Prince George Pacers 72 BC-CWBL League Awards LM Canada Games 62 – Okanagan Thunder 52 Prince George Pacers 83 – Oceanside Tsunami 38 Fairplay: Div 1 – Bert Abbott, Oceanside Tsunami Semi: Prince George Pacers 62 – Okanagan Thunder 39 Div 2 – Jennifer Krempien, Douglas Royals Semi: LM Canada Games 54 – Oceanside Tsunami 30 Most Improved: Div 1 – Deion Green,Victoria & Scott Allen, Ski-Doo 5/6th:Vancouver Bull-dawgs 26 – Ski-Doos 36 Div 2 – Misty Thomas, Douglas Royals 3/4th: Oceanside Tsunami 53 – Okanagan Thunder 52 1/2nd: Prince George Pacers 59 – LM Canada Games 44 Rookie of the Year: Div 1 – Tony Golston, Douglas Lions Div 2 – Chris Foucher, Prince George Pacers 4 The NETWORK

BC WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL SOCIETY NAMES AWARD WINNERS FOR 2005

BC Wheelchair Basketball Society recipients of the SUPPORT BCWBS AT CANADA HELPS 2005 Annual Awards BC Wheelchair Basketball Society is a non- presented at the 2006 profit organization and registered charity. To BC League Finals in that extent many of our services are made March at Douglas possible only by the generosity of individuals College were as follows: who donate to our cause. Please visit Canada Helps at www.canadahelps.org to make a Junior Athlete of the Year: one time donation or sign up for a monthly Sunera Samarakoon giving program to BCWBS. Thank you. (Burnaby, BC) In 2005 Sunera or “Sunny” was named to above: BCWBS ‘05 Award Winners (Erik Hagreen, Emily Herd, the Canadian Junior CALENDAR OF EVENTS Carrie Linegar, Sunera Samarakoon, Bert Abbott) National team and attended the 2005 Junior World Championships in Birmingham, England JULY 2006 where the team placed 6th. Sunny represented BC at the 2005 junior nationals 3 – 16 2006 World Wheelchair and also moved up from the juniors to play on the senior men’s provincial Basketball Championships team which won a silver medal in 2005. He has developed into a fine young Amsterdam, Netherlands man and one of the top junior players in Canada. AUGUST 2006 Male Athlete of the Year: Erik Hagreen (Vancouver, BC) 9 – 13 CWBA Junior Development Camp, Erik Hagreen began playing wheelchair basketball as an able-bodied athlete in Toronto, ON 1997. After years of hard work, Erik had one of his best seasons ever in wheel- 25 – 27 Canada Games Selection Camp chair basketball in 2005. At the 2005 Sr. men’s national championships Erik’s Douglas College, New West performance was outstanding when BC won the silver medal. His hard work and dedication were recognized when he was honored with an All-star at the OCTOBER 2006 championships. Erik is an excellent athlete and has worked hard to improve 28/29 Canada Winter Games Fall Classic Douglas College, New West his overall game.

NOVEMBER 2006 Female Athlete of the Year: Carrie Linegar (Vancouver, BC) 3 – 5 Sport Leadership Conference Carrie has been a dedicated member of the BC Breakers for many years and Vancouver, BC has lead the team in scoring and assists for several seasons. In the 2005 Women’s CWBL Finals, Carrie led the Breakers to a Bronze medal performance 25/26 BC-CWBL Division 2 Tournament and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Her fairplay and lead Douglas College, New West by example attitude is one that has earned her great respect in the wheelchair DECEMBER 2006 basketball community. 8 – 10 HSBC Classic Basketball Tournament; Vancouver, BC Coach of the Year: Emily Herd (Surrey, BC) Emily began volunteering at the Surrey Junior Wheelchair Basketball Program MARCH 2007 when it first started in 2000. A committed volunteer she has stayed with the 4 – 10 2007 Canada Winter Games program ever since and is now coaching the program herself. Emily is an Whitehorse,Yukon enthusiastic coach who works hard to include all the kids and make sure APRIL 2007 everyone is having fun. Her program has a number of kids with a wide range 6 – 8 2007 CWBL Finals in ability levels and she gladly accepts this great challenge. She is reliable, Québec City, QC committed, and we can always count on her. cont pg 8 The NETWORK 5 SURREY FIRE FIGHTERS HOOPFEST ‘06 CHAMPIONS

BCWBS was pleased to host the 13th annual Hoopfest fundraising event on Saturday April 22nd at Cambie Secondary School in Richmond, raising over $9,000 to support wheelchair basketball programs across BC. BCWBS would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the participating teams, volunteers, and supporters of this great event. BCWBS athletes assumed the roles of coach, official and scorekeepers to host our participants – some returning Hoopfest veterans and others participating for the first time.

After a great day of games, fabulous food including Pangao Pizza, the Original Cakerie, Starbucks coffee, treats from Hershey Canada and a great silent auction – the Surrey Fire Fighters were the overall champs of our 13th annual event. The Surrey Fire Fighters coached by BCWBS athlete Ross MacDonald had 5 wins and 1 tie in their games for the day, narrowly beating out Burnaby Fire #2 who posted 5 wins and a above: Surrey Fire loss. In third place the Vancouver Fire Fighters also had an impressive Fighters, Hoopfest 4-0-1 record on the day. Thank you to all of our teams including the 2006 Champs left: Vancouver New West Kinsmen, ICORD, and the Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver and Fire Fighter Delta Fire Fighters. Participants were also treated to a demonstration shooting against from the Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Program at lunch. Delta Fire Special thanks to Head Coach Tim Frick and the Team for your support at Hoopfest.

Our sincere thanks goes out to the many organizations who donated prizes including: Shell Canada Limited, Panago Pizza, Starbucks Coffee, Hershey Canada,The Original Cakerie, Disegnostudio, Canadian Springs Water Company,Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions Football Club,Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, Prince of Whales Whale Watching, Butchart Gardens, DeDutch Pannnekoek House, Lattimer Gallery, Basketball BC, Annemar Apparel, SanMar Canada, Metropolis at Metrotown, Safeway – Tsawwassen, Purdy’s Chocolates, Harbour Cruises & Events, AAA Horse & Carriage in Stanley Park, Champagne Cruises, Greater Vancouver Zoo, HR MacMillan Space Centre, Illuminate Restoranté,The Westin Grand Vancouver,Trafalgar’s Bistro and Sweet Obsession Cakes, Sammy J Peppers,The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Arts Club Theatre Company,The Granville Island Hotel, Big Kahuna, New Westminster Inn at the Quay,The Book Warehouse, Evedo Ego Salon,Museum of Anthropology, Burnaby Village Museum, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Bard on the Beach, Coscto Wholesale Richmond,The Spaghetti Factory, Initial Tropical Plants Canada Limited, Big River Brew Pub and the Zone Bowling Centre, Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours. Thank you all for your support!!

2006 CANADIAN WOMEN’S & MEN’S WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM SELECTED The Men’s and Women’s National teams have been selected to by veteran coaches Trish Nicholson, BC; Bill Johnson, MB; represent Canada at the 2006 World Championships to be held and former UBC coach Bruce Enns, BC. in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from July 3 – 16. The 12 players selected for the Men’s Team include Jaimie The Women’s Team includes: Arley McNeney, BC; Chantal Borisoff and Richard Peter, both from BC, who will join Chris Benoit, ON; Jennifer Krempien, BC; Kendra Ohama, AB; Lori Stoutenburg, ON; Gerald Brule, QC; Ross Norton, AB; Bradley Radke, AB; Sabrina Pettinicchi, NB; Misty Thomas, BC; Lisa Bowden, ON; Dave Durepos, NB; Mikael Poulin, QC; Patrick Franks, SK; Danielle Peers, AB; Karla Tritten, AB; MJ Boudreault, Anderson, ON; David Eng, QC; Adam Lancia, ON; and Joey BC; and Katie Harnock, ON. Vancouver’s Misty Thomas has Johnson, MB. Head Coach Paul Bowes stated, “The fact that we become the only female basketball player to play on Canada’s have 10 of 12 returning players from our Athens Gold Medal national team for both the wheelchair and running versions of team, means that we have players who have the experience in basketball, having represented Canada as an Olympian and at doing whatever it takes to win”.The Canadian Men’s team is the international level for many years. Head Coach Tim Frick currently the two-time Paralympic Gold medalists and are from BC heads up the squad for the 17th year and will be joined ranked #1 in the World. 6 The NETWORK

and ready for the challenge. Team 3 had only lost one game during league play and it was to Team 2. Team 3 got off to a quick start outscoring Team 2 in the first half 21-8. Without one of their key scorers, the injured Louise Higgins, Team 2 was unable to get back into the game. Junior sensation Nick Konishi led Team 3 to victory with a game high 12 points. The final score was 31-18 in favour of Team 3.

Most improved players from each of the three teams were recognized, with Danielle Fashler, Kevin Geurtsen, and Julie Gorman receiving awards. Sam Piercey was selected for the Fairplay award and wily veteran Ross Robinson and young rookie Keegan Fletcher were recognized as the oldest and youngest athletes! Other awards included: Hustle/Enthusiasm Award – Jocelyn Thompkinson; Feisty Defender Award –Tina Jung; Top Scorers Recognition – John Lundie, Shawn Mills, Kevin Geurtsen; Free Agent Recognition – Jake Fletcher, Derek Participants enjoy the final night of the Spring City League at Bonsor Rec Centre Lundie, Rod Bitz.

2006 SPRING CITY LEAGUE WRAP UP BCWBS City League would like to thank BC Wheelchair Sports The BCWBS 2006 Spring City League wrapped up in June with and Bridging the Gap co-ordinator Kevin Bowie for assisting a dramatic semi-final game. Team 1 led by up and comer Ryan with the program. The City League coordinator was assisted by Romas, faced Team 2 led by veteran player/coach Joe Higgins. three excellent volunteers. Jonathan Litner and Hendrick Tan The two teams traded baskets throughout the first half, and helped with scorekeeping duties, and Coach Joe Higgins ran Team 1 led by a narrow margin of 16-13 at halftime. In the the skills sessions. Thank you very much to all the league second half, rookie big man Kevin Geursten had the hot hand, participants, officials, volunteers, fans and supporters. Our scoring 14 points. Team 2 advanced to the finals with a 28-25 spring season was a great success! victory. Sam Piercey, who was later recognized with the League’s Fairplay Award scored 10 points in a losing cause for Team 1. BCWBS is currently planning the Fall City league starting the second week of September, 2006. It will once again be hosted in Team 3, who had been waiting on the sidelines to see who Burnaby. Keep your eye on the BCWBS website www.bcwbs.ca they would match up against in the finals, were warmed up for registration information.

JUNIORS 2006 JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW Team BC attended the 2006 Junior National Championships, held Dallas Sirois chipped in 10 points with Avril Harris and Richard over the Easter weekend in Montreal, with the hopes of improving Poon adding 6 points each. Next up BC faced Alberta, winning on last year’s sixth place showing. The BC team, coached by easily 38-22, Dallas Sirois led all scorers with 18 points. Finally, Marni Abbott-Peter and assistant Pat Harris, included veteran early Sunday morning the BC squad played PEI in a battle for junior players Nick Konishi, Sunera Samarakoon, Dallas Sirois, fifth. BC had a great first half, with their two man pressure Jon Vliegenthart, and Peter Won. Rookies on the 2006 squad causing several PEI turnovers that led to BC baskets. BC ended were Avril Harris, Adam Bishop, Deion Green, Michael Morris, the game on top with a final score of 46-22. Richard Poon and Erik Vliegenthart. Team BC finished up the 2006 Junior Nationals in fifth place. BC played their first game against the considerably improved team Ontario defeated Quebec in the championship game, proving from Saskatchewan. The two teams traded baskets throughout once again that their press was tough to break. Saskatchewan the first two quarters and ended the first half with a 22-21 score defeated Manitoba for third place. Overall, Coach Abbott-Peter in favor of the prairie team. Both teams came out hard in the was pleased with the performance of the team. “With six rookies third quarter scoring 11 points each, and in the fourth BC could on the team, this was a valuable experience as we prepare for the not contain the scoring frenzy of Saskatchewan’s Matt Yausie. 2007 Canada Winter games. These young players were able to Saskatchewan outscored BC 16 to 6 in the fourth and the game play against the top juniors in the country. They realized that they ended with the final score 50-40. BC’s Dallas Sirois scored 16 are not lacking the physical skills to compete at the national level; points and Nick Konishi added points 10, and several key assists. they just need to work on their mental preparation and shooting In the second round robin game BC faced Ontario and lost a focus. The whole experience has given the team a great foundation disappointing 52-34. The young BC team was not able to break to build on. We are ready to work hard over the summer and are through Ontario’s relentless pressing defense. looking forward to next season!” The NETWORK 7

COACHES MARNI ABBOTT, PAT HARRIS, ELISHA WILLIAMS, MIKE PRESCOTT AND JOE HIGGINS JOIN BCWBS A unique opportunity currently exists in British Columbia in the form of a new Integrated Performance System for sport development in BC. This system will greatly impact the development of wheelchair basketball in British Columbia and in Canada through the development of a National Wheelchair Basketball Training Centre. The ‘centre’ is not a physical structure, but rather a vertically integrated system of paid coaches and program support at the regional, provincial and national team level. The Goal of the Integrated Performance System is to develop more BC Athletes on National Teams with the potential to reach the podium and win medals for Canada.

BC WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL This program is being coordinated through PacificSport. ATHLETES TAKE PART IN PARALYMPIC PacificSport fosters a dynamic environment for sport performance at all levels via Three Waves of Excellence – strategic investment FLAG RAISING CEREMONY WITH THEIR in identified sports, a world-class training environment, and ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE EARL AND quality athlete and coach services – working in partnership with regional, provincial and national sport organizations. BC COUNTESS OF WESSEX Wheelchair Basketball and the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association are partners in the delivery of this program with The City of Vancouver welcomed His Royal Highness PacificSport. The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Her Royal Highness The Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, to City Hall for a BC Wheelchair Basketball is pleased to announce the expansion special civic visit on Wednesday June 7th, 2006. Led onto City of Marni Abbott’s current role to a full-time Provincial Coach. Hall grounds by the Vancouver Police Department’s pipe band, Marni will be responsible for coordinating BCWBS coaching Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by the Honourable and athlete development programs including the Canada Games Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; His Worship Program, coaching education, high performance program Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver; Jack Poole, VANOC development, provincial outreach initiatives, and more. Chairman of the Board; and Lilo Ljubisic, International Paralympic Committee Board Member. Also adding to the BCWBS team are regional coaches The Royal party took part in a walkabout around City Hall Pat Harris, Elisha Williams, Mike Prescott and Joe Higgins. which featured local performers who reflect His Royal Highness Pat will serve as the head coach of the Northern BC region The Earl of Wessex’s keen interest in sports, youth and theatre with Elisha as Assistant Coach working to expand program and included a wheelchair basketball demonstration. BCWBS opportunities in the Prince George and Northern BC region. junior athletes Natalie Imbeau, Daniel Yanko, Sam Piercey and Mike Prescott will serve as the regional coach in Greater Benjamin Dooley joined Paralympians Marni Abbott and Vancouver and Joe Higgins will serve the Okanagan area, Richard Peter for a short demonstration and then had the focusing on recruitment and developmental programming pleasure to meet with their Royal Highnesses. for athletes and coaches.

After the walkabout, the Paralympic flag was raised to fly side- This is an exciting opportunity for wheelchair basketball in by-side with the Olympic flag on City Hall grounds in celebration British Columbia and we look forward to continuing the of Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter success of our programming and the bright future ahead Games. Vancouver is the first Host City to fly the Paralympic for our sport. and Olympic Winter Games flags side by side.

SPORT WHEELCHAIR RENTALS – BCWBS has a limited number of sport wheelchairs available for rental through the Wheelchair Loan Program. The program requires you to sign a loan agreement one-year in length and submit a $100/year or $10/month rental fee. If you are interested please read our policy and fill out a wheelchair loan application form on-line at www.bcwbs.ca and click ‘For Athletes’ and then ‘Wheelchair Loan Program.’ 8 The NETWORK

BCWBS AWARD WINNERS cont from pg 4 EXTERNAL SPORT CREDITS Volunteer of the Year: Bert Abbott (Qualicum Beach, BC) INFORMATION FOR HIGH Bert Abbott has been the heart and soul of the Mid-Island Wheelchair Sports Club for many years. Since the groups SCHOOL STUDENTS inception he has coordinated facility rentals, organized the The External Sport Credentials Program (ESCP) gives student Tsunami competitive BC-CWBL Team, managed the club’s athletes in grade 10, 11 and 12 the opportunity to earn graduation finances, coordinated school and community demonstrations, credits for approved levels of competition as an athlete, coach recruited new players to the program, assisted with the 2005 and/or official. In the sport of wheelchair basketball students can BC Disability Games and secured funding for sport wheelchairs obtain External Sport Credits in the Athlete 10 & 12 categories. just to name a few things. Bert’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious and his dedication to the development of wheelchair The Ministry of Education is responsible for the External basketball is remarkable. Credentials program. The Sport Credits Portion of this program is administered and monitored by the Sport Branch of the Official of the Year: Dean MacKinnon (Port Coquitlam, BC) Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. Dean MacKinnon began officiating wheelchair basketball in 1962 – yes 1962! Dean continues to be dedicated to wheelchair To see which sports are involved in the program, eligibility basketball and is our head official and allocator for BCBWS standards and for more information see the Course Information competitions – coordinating officials for all our major events. for the Graduation Program link at the Ministry of Education’s He also continues to introduce and educate new officials from website http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo the BC Basketball Officials Association to our great sport. We select “Course Information for the Graduation Program” continue to appreciate Dean’s dedication and involvement in and go to Chapter 3 External Sport Course Information. wheelchair basketball in British Columbia.

Outstanding Community Support: Ronald McDonald House Charities DETAILS • Students do not have to be in a specific grade to receive that BCWBS was pleased to have Ronald McDonald House Charities® grade’s credit. For example, a grade 10 student who is competing (RMHC) of Canada donate a grant in the amount of $17,796 to on a provincial team going to a national championship will BCWBS to support the purchase of six specialized sport wheel- receive credit for Athlete 12. Likewise, a grade 11 student who chairs for use at junior wheelchair basketball programs in Surrey, competed in the BC Games while he/she was in grade seven Richmond and North Vancouver in 2005. The equipment is very will receive credit for Athlete 10. costly and the support of organizations such as Ronald McDonald • Students who have participated in approved programs before House Charities® greatly assists in making programs available in they reach grade 10 can receive credit for their past participation our community and in ensuring a positive sport experience for by obtaining written documentation to verify their participation. our young participants. • Once a student has received credit for a particular level within Congratulations also go out to: the athlete, official or coach categories, he or she cannot • MJ Boudreault, recipient of the 2006 Premier’s Athletic Award. receive additional credits for duplicate participation. Each year, the top male and female athlete in each of the 46 sports in the B.C. Athlete Assistance Program are honoured by HOW TO EARN CREDITS the Premier and Minister responsible for Sport at the Premier’s • Check to see if your course/program is approved to receive Athletic Awards. These awards honour athletes who, through credit in the External Sport Credentials Program. their commitment to excellence, hard work and determination, • Obtain written documentation from your provincial or national leave their mark on sport in B.C. sport organization of your participation in the eligible sport program. • BC Wheelchair Sports Association Annual Awards Winners: Sunera Samarakoon, Junior Athlete of the Year; Carrie Linegar, • Provide the documentation to your school counsellor. Female Athlete of the Year and Bert Abbott, Volunteer of the Year

stay connected to all BCWBS news and events through our website at www.bcwbs.ca