Okanagan’s leaders in sport recognized at special event

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“The Community Sport Hero Awards recognize the remarkable individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to creating positive sport experiences in communities across our province. Whether coaching a first practice, mentoring officials, leading organizations, or creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities, these volunteers make an extraordinary difference. Sport BC is proud to celebrate their contributions and the lasting impact they have on amateur sport in British Columbia.”

Community Sport Hero Awards

Okanagan's leaders in sport recognized at special event

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Of the 18 Okanagan-based award recipients, five were from Vernon.

• Carson Dorward: A leader with the Silver Star Freestyle Club who opened opportunities for athletes through officiating, club leadership, and the development of the freestyle training facility
• Hashan Sirisena: A cricketer who played a key role in expanding the sport through the Interior, growing leagues, developing facilities, launching new tournaments, and creating opportunities for play
• Karen Deans: A dedicated figure skater who served the sport locally as an official, mentor, and volunteer leader so as to support athletes and officials and help the sport grow
• Marc Renairz: A sailor who help inspire the next generation through leadership, instruction, mentorship, and helping expand programs
• Doug Ross: Leader of KidSport Greater Vernon since 2002, helping over 3,000 children overcome financial barriers to participation over that time

Other Okanagan award recipients included:

• Aly Bradford – Sport Cheer (Kelowna): A driving force behind the growth of cheerleading in British Columbia through coach development, athlete pathways, and volunteer leadership, helping create a stronger and more inclusive future for the sport
• Bill Rublee – Canoe Kayak / Alpine Skiing (Kamloops): A coach, official, mentor, and volunteer, who has supported athlete development from the grassroots to the international stage while earning some of Canada’s highest volunteer honours
• Bryan Shore – Wheelchair Basketball (Kelowna): A passionate advocate for inclusion, who spent more than a decade leading, mentoring, and growing wheelchair basketball in the Okanagan while serving on the B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society Board of Directors
• Darcey Woods – Equestrian (Barriere): An athlete, coach, official, and volunteer, who has been instrumental in developing equestrian sport while mentoring riders and strengthening her local community
• Jake DeWitt – Softball (Sicamous): A coach, administrator, and volunteer leader, who has helped grow softball in Sicamous by creating welcoming opportunities for athletes of all ages and strengthening the sport throughout the region
• Janna Brown – Snowboard (Sun Peaks): A key builder of the Sun Peaks snowboard community volunteer leadership, event support, and a passion for creating opportunities for young athletes
• Jocelyn Carter – Softball (Kelowna): A coach, mentor, administrator, and volunteer, who has helped young people build confidence, resilience, and success both on and off the field
• Kaleb Hutchinson – Softball (Kamloops): A District 11 District Umpire-in-Chief who helped strengthen officiating, Kaleb has strengthened officiating across the Thompson–Nicola region through mentorship, leadership, and volunteer service
• Lori Moger – Volleyball (Kelowna): A coach and mentor whose work that helped generations of athletes develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of volleyball in a positive and inclusive environment.
• Lucas Crosby – Softball (Kelowna): A supporter of the sport who helped strengthen competitions across the Thompson-Okanagan, one of Softball B.C.’s largest districts, by recruiting, mentoring, and developing officials
• Michelle Schmidt – Gymnastics (Kelowna): Vice-Chair of the Okanagan Gymnastics Club Board and a volunteer at competitions, she helped strengthen gymnastics opportunities for athletes across the region.
• Rodney Hobson – Karate (Kelowna): A volunteer with over two decades of work involving coaching, mentorship, and leadership, which in turn built one of B.C.’s premier karate development programs.
• Penticton Triathlon Club – Dave Michael & Drew Mitchell (Penticton): A couple who helped transform the Peach Classic Triathlon into one of B.C.’s premier multisport events while creating lasting opportunities for athletes and volunteers alike.

Sport BC said the work by these individuals helped shape thousands of athletes, strengthened sport organizations, expanded opportunities for participation, and inspired future generations to participate in sport.