There was a full house at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn on Saturday, Oct. 26, as the Delta Sports Hall of Fame held its 18th annual Banquet of Champions.
The sold-out event recognized 15 Hall of Fame Inductees and 2024 Sport Champions.
The banquet included a keynote address from Paralympian Josh Vander Vies, who recently served as Co-Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Vander Vies talked about his life experience as a person with a disability, and the way that sport opened doors and gave him the opportunity to live his values.
He encouraged everyone to find a way to express their own values through their participation in sport.
Hall of Fame inductees spoke about the impact of sport on their lives, and what it meant to them to be honoured by the hall.
Builder inductee Kathy Lane, recognized for her contributions to softball, said, “You don’t need an award to know that you’ve done a good job – but it’s nice to know that someone noticed.”
Delta MP Carla Qualtrough commended the Hall of Fame for recognizing the contributions of sport to Delta.
“Our community is strong and resilient – and sport is one of the reasons for that,” said Qualtrough.
Hall of Fame inductees included athlete Sara McManus (Field Hockey), pioneer Peter Darvill (Pickleball), and sponsors Allan and Phyllis Wawryk (Sundance Nieghbourhood Pub).
Sport champions from South Delta included youth athletes Zach McLeod (swimming), Desmond Tregaskis (baseball), and Nistara Uppal (soccer); and coaches Karen and Mike Kilpatrick (volleyball).
Delta Sports Hall of Fame chair Rick Lewall thanked the banquet’s sponsors, noting that their support allowed the Hall to invite all honourees to attend free of charge.
Members of the Delta Sports Hall of Fame are recorded on the Delta Sports Wall of Fame, located on the plaza at municipal hall. For more information about the Sports Hall of Fame, including a full list of past Inductees and Sport Champions and information on how to nominate someone for the hall, visit their website at http://www.deltasportshalloffame.ca.
