Congratulations Maureen Orchard
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March 8, 2010
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CANADA CONGRATULATES MAUREEN ORCHARD ON WINNING 2009 VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(Ottawa, ON) - Wheelchair Basketball Canada congratulates lifelong volunteer and basketball advocate Maureen Orchard as the 2009 winner of the Canadian Sport Leadership Awards for Volunteer Achievement. The True Sport Foundation officially announced the winners for the 37th Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) at an awards presentation held at the Canadian Sports Centre Ontario in Toronto. The March 3rd event celebrated excellence in sport and honoured the athletes and leaders who competed and inspired hope throughout the 2009 calendar year.
Orchard is a full-time volunteer with over thirty years of experience. She has taken on many leadership roles, serving as president, vice president, treasurer, director, coach and referee for a number of key sport organizations including the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Basketball, Basketball Manitoba, and FIBA. Most recently Orchard has served as the President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation. During this time she has been the driving force behind significant international growth and in particular, has championed enhanced opportunities for juniors and women.
The Leaders from the sport and corporate communities gathered at the presentation of the 2009 sport awards to represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition in the world of Canadian amateur sport. Representatives from government and members of the general public were also able to attend the ceremony and catch a glimpse of some of Canada's sporting heroes.
"This is a special year for our athletes and sport leaders," said Victor Lachance, Executive Director, The True Sport Foundation. "Canada is overcome with pride for all of our sport heroes."
Orchard was honoured along with 5 other individuals and 2 sport groups including recent Gold Medalists snowboarder Jasey-Jay Anderson and speed skater Christine Nesbitt who where awarded Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively.
About the Canadian Sport Awards
Established in 1972, the Canadian Sport Awards brings together leaders from the sporting and corporate communities who represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition: Canadian amateur athletes, coaches, sport leaders and volunteers. The annual award promotes sporting excellence across Canada, and reminds Canadians how sport lifts the human spirit. It is a tribute to the hard work, the dedication and the victories of our country’s finest athletes.
About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, the Canada Games and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. For more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of wheelchair basketball in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is the Canadian member to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). For more information about Wheelchair Basketball Canada, please visit www.wheelchairbasketball.ca .
For more information, please contact:
Jody Kingsbury, Communications & Media Relations Wheelchair Basketball Canada (613) 260-1296 ext. 204 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated (Tuesday, 09 March 2010 11:09)