by Don Summers:
Working behind the scenes, that is.
From organizing a club and clubhouse, to running regattas, the people behind the scenes at the BC Summer Games fill an essential role, and with thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials, that can be as daunting and as interesting as the competition.
Organizing this year’s rowing competition involved coaches and assistants from around the province. People like Delta Deas Rowing Club’s founders and past Olympians, Lyle Gatley, Joe Fera, and Bill McKerlich, and coaches and officials like medalist Ben Rutledge and Debbie Sage helped the host team organized the events, keep things on track, and ensure athlete safety on both land and water.
Supporters like Sport Chair Jane McCall, previous World Championship medalist Karen Clark, and even medalist and 2012 director of promotions for the BC Summer Games Kim Gordon participated in the operations of the Games, and showed their support for the athletes during events. Athletic alumni are also big supporters in the sport of rowing.
“The BC Summer Games, for four days, is the fourth largest transit system in B.C.,” said Gordon, highlighting some of the logistical challenges the Games present. Surrey schools are conscripted to house the students, one school per sports, and all the athletes have to be fed and supervised. Efficient logistics are critical to make things work and get the 2,000-plus athletes where they are supposed to be be, on time at 22 different venues.
Local business take part, too. Rowing event medal presenter Axel Kroitzsch donates, through his company HealthMed Distributors, any physiotherapy equipment needed to care for twists, sprains, and strains through the BC Summer, BC Winter, and BC Paralympic Games.
“B.C. sports is one of the biggest things we can do for all the kids, because not only does it make better citizens, but it also prevents a lot of future issues,” said Kroitzsch. “We are being told that this is the first generation of young people who will not live as long as we will because of bad eating habits and exercise habits, so I’m willing to support any of the kids that are willing to be active.
“Youngsters that are willing to be active, often push just a little further than is good for them and then there should be the best medical equipment available to them,” he continued. “It’s there for them if they get injured.”
Sports alumni, parents, volunteers, and even the business community all contribute to make the Games successful, and they’re happy to work behind the scenes to make it happen.
