RICHMOND, BC (February 9, 2016) — Sport BC is pleased to announce the prestigious Daryl Thompson Award winner who will be recognized at the 50th Athlete of the Year Awards in Vancouver on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

2016 Daryl Thompson Award Winner – HUGH WONG
(Kelowna, BC – Volleyball)

From Kelowna, British Columbia, Hugh Wong is a “shining example of the true spirit and intent of the award”. His debut experience as Coach of a Kelowna junior boys’ volleyball team in 1975, sparked his passion for coaching and sport leadership. During the 1980s, Hugh was focused on growing the sport by travelling throughout BC to organize and coach youth volleyball camps. He was the one of the original founders of the “Team BC Midget” program (the first in Canada in the age class). His focus on the local’s remains strong as he played a key role as a founding member of the Kelowna Volleyball Club (KVC) – one of the largest volleyball clubs in BC.

In his 40 years of service, Hugh has developed Volleyball BC into one of the leading provinces in Canada in Volleyball. His focus on strategic leadership has been pivotal in turning Volleyball Canada into a financially sustainable organization that has earned him the respect of international organizations, such as the North, Central America and Carribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) as the current Vice-President and Board of Administration Member of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). Hugh’s contribution to growing and building amateur sport in British Columbia serves as an example for future leaders to follow.

DARYL THOMPSON AWARD The Daryl Thompson Award is named in honour of the late Daryl Thompson, former chair of Sport BC. Daryl’s contributions to sport as an athlete, coach and executive officer were exemplary. This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has contributed their time in an extraordinary way to sport over a long period of time or has made a major contribution to amateur sport in British Columbia.