Sport BC Honours Rod Williams With Pickleball BC Presidents' Award

7/3/2024

Sport BC celebrated the 56th Annual Athlete of the Year and the Presidents' Awards on Thursday, March 7, 2024

The event was hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell recognizing the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their 2023 sport season. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial or Multi-Sport Organization, High School, College, or University. The Selection Committee, led by long-serving Chair Bernie Pascall, included a diverse group of highly experienced British Columbia sport leaders and media members.

“The 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards celebrated sport in our BC at all levels. We were inspired by the sport stories of all of our finalists, the category winners, and the organizations they represent”, shared Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman. “We are proud to bring the amateur sport community together and thank you guests, sponsors, and friends in sport.”

“This ceremony underscores that we have a lot to be proud of in our sport sector,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Congratulations to all the finalists of this year’s awards. We are proud to cast the spotlight on all your achievements. Your success is a source of community pride and a testament to your passion and dedication to sport excellence that inspires others and makes our province shine.”

Sport BC also honoured the recipients of the 2024 Presidents’ Awards, recognizing contributions of volunteers within the sports community across the province. Among the distinguished honourees is Rod Williams, Pickleball BC (PBC) Registrar and long serving Board member. The PBC Board of Directors congratulates Rod on this well deserved award and all of the contributions and examples of dedicated volunteerism Rod has exemplified in the pursuit of supporting the growth and development of pickleball in BC and elsewhere.

Sport BC understands the vital role volunteers play in nurturing and advancing sports. The Presidents’ Awards, sponsored by Sports With Balls, serve as a tribute to those individuals who exemplify the true essence of volunteerism through their relentless commitment and enthusiasm for their respective sport organizations.

A total of 49 outstanding volunteers, including Rod Williams, were honoured at Sport BC’s 56th Athlete of the Year Awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This recognition not only celebrates their remarkable contributions but also highlights the pivotal role volunteers play in shaping the sports community in British Columbia.

Sport BC's full media release can be found here.

Rod and Sylvia Williams playing the sport they love best - perhaps after receiving his Sport BC Presidents' award in Vancouver, they went to Arizona to play in better weather?

Sylvia is also a tournament Level 1 referee so if you see her on the courts especially in and around West Kelowna (or the 2024 Western Canadian Regionals in Vernon), be nice!