BCSS 2025 Awards

BCSS Announces 2025 Award Winners

Burnaby, BC – BC School Sports is pleased to announce its 2025 BCSS Awards winners. These awards honour exceptional individuals and school who have gone above and beyond their commitment to student-athletes and the school sport community in British Columbia.

The depth and quality of this year’s honourees speak volumes about strength of the school sport community and the dedication of those who support it. From the tireless coaches and officials to the visionary leaders, these individuals embody the value of school sport.

“It is such a privilege to recognize the very best in school sport across British Columbia,” stated Executive Director Jordan Abney. “Educational athletics provides meaningful opportunities to more than 120,000 student-athlete registrations each year. This system thrives because of dedicated volunteers and servant leaders.” Abney continued, “The 2025 BCSS Award winners are an exceptional group who have devoted decades to supporting youth through educational athletics. I offer my sincere congratulations on this well-earned recognition, and my deepest thanks for their outstanding leadership and service.”

Honourees will be celebrated at the BCSS Awards dinner on May 9th in Kelowna, where they will be recognized for their outstanding contributions. BC School Sports congratulates all the 2025 award winners and thanks them for the invaluable impact they have made on student-athletes and the school sport community.

Award Winners

The Honour Award is the highest form of distinction BCSS can bestow upon an individual. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of a lifetime of service to school sports. The recipient is an individual who has demonstrated prolonged and distinguished service to BC School Sports, their zone, local association, and school. The honouree has made a significant difference to BCSS and the impact
it has on the lives of student-athletes and our member schools.
Louise Holmes (Duchess Park Secondary)

The Most Inspirational School recognizes a school whose special commitment to
improving the lives of student-athletes and staff through leadership and public
service. This school has contributed significantly to the welfare of school athletics and
the local community.
Nanaimo Christian School (Nanaimo)

The Media Person of the Year recognizes an individual in the media who has highlighted and celebrated school sport in their reporting. The nominee has continued to bring attention to BCSS, its member schools and student-athletes by showcasing the very best of school sport in BC. The recipient may be employed by traditional media outlets, but those who use blogs, social media, podcasts, or other
emerging platforms to consistently promote school sports may be considered.

• Steve Ewen (The Province/Vancouver Sun)
• Vivian Chan (VCHAN Visuals)

The Women in Sport & Leadership Award is to recognize the service and leadership of women in school sports. The recipient is a role model to colleagues and studentathletes alike. The recipient has made a tangible impact on school sport and has demonstrated commitment to their student-athletes, their school, and their sport.
Michelle Nederlof (Duncan Christian School)

The Citation of Excellence in Coaching recognizes outstanding coaches and their
distinguished contributions to their sport and athletes. The recipient of this award
guides student-athletes to success through the philosophy of fair play and
sportsmanship for a sustained period, while displaying values consistent with BCSS
and school sport.

• Del Komarniski (South Kamloops Secondary)
• Byron Green (Holy Cross Regional Secondary)
• Jill Fougner (Brentwood College)

The Citation of Excellence Award in Officiating recognizes outstanding individuals and their distinguished contributions to the officiating of school sport. The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding commitment to school sport, being recognized as a quality official, while displaying the values of BCSS and fair play.
Angelo Pulice (Soccer)

The Citation of Excellence Award in Administration recognizes the invaluable contributions from administrators to school sport. The recipient has shown demonstrable leadership and sustainable support to athletic programs, athletic directors and coaches while contributing to the promotion and enhancement of athletic programs and the student-athlete experience at the school and/or district level.
Phil Ohl (Spectrum Community School)

The Citation of Excellence as an Athletic Director recognizes the outstanding individuals for excellence as an athletic director and the hard work and dedication shown to improve the student-athlete experience, enhance the school’s athletic program, and build the school community at large. The Athletic Director leads by example and consistently demonstrates the values of their school and BC School Sports while finding new creative ways to support their coaches and student-athletes

• Jennifer Maitland (Windermere Community Secondary)
• David Prissinotti (York House School)