Vision Vancouver park board chair Sarah Blyth is being honoured with an award recognizing her contribution to sport.
Celebrating B.C. Women in Sport is an initiative of ProMOTION Plus, one of the only three provincial organizations in Canada dedicated to increasing opportunities for girls and women in sport and recreation.
Blyth is being recognized as a "well respected woman in the male dominated sport of skateboarding." Blyth is credited for founding the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition and initiating the development of six skate parks in the city, as well creating Skateboard Week. Blyth's latest project include organizing Street Soccer teams for both men and women, who've already competed in the Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and France.
Blyth said the award is the most meaningful honour she's ever received because she was nominated by members of volunteer groups she's worked with in the past. Blyth was unaware that she'd even been nominated until she found out she was getting the award.
"I was sitting alone when I found out," says Blyth. "And I was just so happy to think these people I'd worked with in the past nominated me."
Blyth says she's also proud to be honoured along with the late freestyle skier Sarah Burke, who's being celebrated for her fight to have women compete in Slopestyle Skiing. Burke's hard-fought campaign resulted in Ski Pipe becoming a 2014 Winter Olympic event. Thanks to her efforts, Burke is being inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in the "builder" category. Burke died in January after falling during a training session at Park City, Utah.
Kristine Chambers is also being recognized at the same time for her contribution to sport. Chambers was honoured for launching the Eastside-based Exceleration: Triathlon and Multisport Club, dedicated to encouraging youth to explore all kinds of physical activity. Chambers is also being recognized as a coach and role model for many young girls.
The women will be honoured at the In Her Footsteps dinner at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club Oct. 29. In Her Footsteps is an annual recognition program organized by ProMOTION Plus, B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and the B.C. Centre of Excellence for Women's Health.
Slick Willie
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton will make an appearance at the Voices in the Park concert, scheduled for Sept. 15 at Brockton Field in Stanley Park.
I'm guessing Clinton won't be one of the singers taking part in the event alongside organizer Sarah McLachlan, Steve Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame, Jann Arden, Hedley, The Boom Booms and Grammy Award winner Chin Injeti. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which offers free music programs for kids and youth who normally wouldn't have the opportunity.
I've previously written about the concert in this column, but more details were announced this week. There will be a limited number of reserved parking spaces for sale with tickets, but concert-goers are being encouraged to find other means of transportation. Shuttle buses will be available across the city and at Park Royal shopping centre for $5 per person. There will also be a free bike valet service at the concert site. Tickets go on sale Friday and start at $85 through $285. A limited number of tickets for children 12 and under will be available for $10.
For more details, visit voicesinthepark.com.
Twitter: @sthomas10
