Media Release

February 9, 2005 --- Interlake Sport Volunteers Recognized

On Saturday February 5th, the 2004 Sport Manitoba - Interlake Region Volunteer and Youth Volunteer of the Year nominees were recognized at the 3rd annual Interlake Sport Conference held in Arborg.

There were four nominees in the Volunteer of the Year category, and two nominees for Youth Volunteer of the Year. Nancy Drad of Stonewall was named the 2004 Sport Manitoba - Interlake Region Volunteer of the Year while Julian Ward of Selkirk was named the 2004 Youth Volunteer of the Year.

The nominees for the Volunteer of the Year category included Alan Ireland of Selkirk, Dean Oakden of Ashern, and Rick Scott of Selkirk. The Dr. F.W.L. Hamilton School's Leadership Club of 18 members was also nominated for the Youth Volunteer of the Year category.

Drad, Teaching Principal at Rosser School, joined the Triathlon Manitoba board in 2003 with the aim of helping to strengthen the youth program in the Interlake. She immediately set up school visits and sat as race Director for a new Stonewall Kids of Steel Race. Drad started development for 2004 in 2003 and Triathlon Manitoba's membership in the Interlake region has increased by 25% with help from Drad's contributions. Drad also served as Host Chairperson for the 2004 MTS Manitoba Summer Games Interlake Triathlon Qualifier and then as Team Interlake Triathlon Coach for the provincial competition in Dauphin. Drad also volunteers with the Selkirk Dolphins Swim Club.

Ward devotes countless hours to coaching, fundraising, refereeing, officiating and other club activities from videotaping to team management during competitions. It is estimated that Ward contributed approximately 100 hours of coaching in 2004, as well as participating as a coach at the 2004 Interlake Summer Judo camp. At the age of 16, Ward also sits on the Selkirk Judo Club's Executive committee.

Ireland was involved with coaching the Tri-S Senior women, Master women and under 16 girls traveling soccer teams, the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (LSRCSS) girls soccer team and the Tri S soccer skills program this past year. He also coordinated refereeing for the local Selkirk soccer house league and Tri-S traveling teams as well as
served as a member on the Tri-S united Soccer club's Board.

Oakden is a Phys Ed Teacher at Ashern Central School. He coached the Junior Varsity and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams, both teams were the Zone 5 Champions and set season records in 2004. He served as Assistant Provincial Team Coach for the gold medal team of the 2004 Western Elite Championships for 16 and under Girls volleyball with nominee Scott as Head Coach.

Scott is a Phys Ed teacher at LSRCSS. Scott was head coach of the Selkirk Royals 16&Under Girls Club Volleyball Team, LSRCSS Athletics coach, head coach of the LSRCSS boys baseball team, and head coach of the LSRCSS Girls Varsity Volleyball team who won the AAAA MHSAA championship.

The Dr F.W.L. Hamilton School's leadership club helps to organize plan and carry out refereeing and set up of equipment for all intramural clubs and members give up recesses, lunch hours, and before school to help others at the school. They also play a big part in the motor skills resource program. This program pairs leadership students with students that are identified as
having difficulty with skills in the gym.

Both Drad and Ward's nominations will be forwarded on to the Sport Manitoba's selection committee for the Sport Manitoba Great West Life Volunteer and Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards. For more information on this program or any other Sport Manitoba programs, contact Wendy Moar, Regional Manager, Sport Manitoba.

This page was last updated on February 9, 2005