Vancouver Sport Network

About Vancouver Sport Network

• Who We Are
• Vision & Mission
• Members
• Executive Committee

• Partners
• FAQ
• Join Us
• Contact Us

Who We Are

The VSN is a volunteer advisory group linking sport stakeholders with the City and other key service delivery agencies to steward the implementation of the Vancouver Sport Strategy and advises on sport related policy as well as programming, facility and event priorities.

This community based group fosters, supports and promotes these activities by providing:

Communication: Provides a channel for sport stakeholders to communicate amongst one another regarding sport development programs and services. Acts as a forum for community groups to identify issues and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Advice: Provides advice to City Council, Park Board and School Board on sport interests in the City.
Resources: Provides information to the sport community and potential participants.

Advocacy: Advocates on behalf of local sports to all levels of government, in order support sport development in Vancouver.

Resources: Provides information to the sport community and potential participants.

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Vision

By 2015, Vancouver will have a dynamic and forward-looking sport system that enables all Vancouver residents to experience and enjoy involvement in sport to the extent of their abilities and interest, resulting in a high level of participation and performance.

Sport in Vancouver will be fair, inclusive, safe and welcoming for all.

Sport will be recognized for its significant contribution to the development and sustainability of the city and the health and wellness of its citizens.

Mission

Through strong partnerships, the Vancouver Sport Network acts as the voice of sport in the City, and works to support a better sport experience.

Values

Wellness – Vancouver supports physical literacy for all children and for all citizens to lead healthy, active lifestyles through sport.

Inclusion – Vancouver provides accessible opportunities for sport participation within a welcoming, sustainable, and culturally diverse sport environment.

Excellence – Vancouver promotes program and event excellence, and opportunities for its citizens to reach the highest levels of sport performance.

Fairness – Vancouver encourages ethical sport and supports programs that lead to positive personal and community development.

Adapted from True Sport Principles. True Sport is a growing Canadian movement that recognizes and promotes the life skills and values derived from community sport. For more information, visit www.truesportpur.ca

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Members

The VSN is made-up of athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, administrators, schools, clubs, recreation centres, and other institutions, agencies and groups who are involved in delivering sport and physical activity programs.
VSN members are divided into three distinct groups, including; Sport Service Providers, VSS Working Committees, and Sport Member Groupings.

To learn more about the function, composition and size of the VSN please see Vancouver Sport Network Outline

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Executive Committee 2011

The VSN will select an Executive Committee at the Sport Summit each year. The Executive is responsible for setting the direction of the VSN in policy and in operations. Executive positions will include (but not be limited to):

• VSN Chair - nominated from the Advisory Committee, non-voting
• VSN Vice Chair - nominated from the Advisory Committee
• Additional members – as nominated from the Advisory Committee

Greg White (Chair)
Greg White was a part of the initial group that founded the Vancouver Sport Network in 2008 and he took on the role of Chair in 2011.  Greg's roles in sport have included Chair of BC Athletics, Chair of the provincial branches committee for Athletics Canada, Vice-President of Triathlon BC, President of Pacific Spirit Triathlon Club and volunteering as a Level 2 Triathlon Official. Greg has been on the organizing committee for the SunRun, KneeKnacker Trail Run, Canadian Cross Country Championships, Haney 2 Harrison Relay (now Whistler 50 Relay), Run for the Cure and the ITU World Triathlon Championships.

During the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Games, he managed a group of 600 "Blue Jacket" volunteers who were the driver/assistants for the Olympic Family members. Previous to the Olympic Games, he worked with the corporate and community affairs team at TELUS.

In a community role, he is the Chair of the citizen advisory committee for Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services.

Ajay Patel (Past Chair)
Ajay Patel is immigrated to Canada in 1975, and has called Vancouver his home for over 35 years. He is the Division Chair for Health Sciences Division at Langara College. Prior to joining Langara College Ajay was the CEO at Gymnastics BC and the Executive Director for Badminton BC.

Ajay's professional work (as well as a majority of his volunteer time) is dedicated to sport, provincially, nationally and internationally, and he has had the opportunity to work closely with individuals at all competitive levels and abilities. He is currently the Vice Chair at Sport BC and serves as a Director on a number of boards like Coaches Association of BC, BC Recreation and Parks Association currently chairs the Vancouver Sport Network.

Ajay has a unique view on sport…in that Sport is a continuum in life.
Sport provides solutions to many challenges which face us today.

Sharon Urton (Physical Literacy)
Sharon Urton (MPE) has lived and worked in Vancouver since first coming to UBC in 1965. She has been dedicated to the advancement of both recreation and sport as tools for community development and community well-being. As a progressive, science based person Sharon has served on many Boards and Committees aimed at enhancing the quality and delivery of recreation and sport programs. She is delighted to be working within the Vancouver Sport for Life Framework to increase sport opportunities for all Vancouverites,

Jeff Malmgren (Active for Life)
Jeff Malmgren was born at VGH, and now and again lives in the city. Through his company, Durable Solutions Inc, he provides facilitation, strategic planning and communication services to the public and private sector, and also markets a small portfolio of environmentally sound products and systems. Jeff is currently the co-chair of the VacNet, Vancouver Active Communities, and also chairs the board of Ultimate Canada. Previously he served as president of the Vancouver Field Sport Federation, and managed the operations of the Vancouver Ultimate League. He has a strong interest in promoting policy and facilities that create excellent access to the whole of the community for sport, in whatever its manifestation.

Anne Thompson (Quality Facilities)
Anne Thompson grew up in Florida; climbing trees, racing boys on bikes and paddling canoes. She participated in varsity rowing and basketball in University and achieved a dream of attending a multi-sport games event by competing at the World Masters in Edmonton with her soccer team. Anne is a geoscientist with degrees from Harvard and the University of Toronto and ran her consulting business for 15 years providing technical information to mining and exploration companies. Throughout those years she became increasingly involved in community sport in Vancouver, working in the trenches of Dunbar Soccer and the Vancouver Hawks Field Hockey Club.

Four years ago, Anne closed her business and is now focussed on community sport; serving as a club executive board member, working with the Vancouver Field Sport Federation, coaching and managing teams, and contributing to working groups for Field Hockey Canada and 2010 Legacies Now. Anne believes that supporting and promoting the development of community-based sport organizations is a critical factor in realizing the full range of benefits that sport can provide.

Michelle Collens (Sport Hosting)
Michelle Collens has been an active member of the Vancouver sport community for the past 15 years. A UBC graduate, playing varsity volleyball from 1997-2001, Michelle has continued her enthusiasm for sport by actively volunteering in the sport system and coaching young women. As Manager of Sport Tourism with 2010 Legacies Now, Michelle led the HostingBC program delivering tools and resources to BC communities and promoting the value of hosting events in British Columbia. Previously Michelle was the Event Coordinator of Sport Kelowna, where she successfully led several bids, including the 2007 World Sledge Hockey Challenge and the 2008 BC Summer Games. Most recently Michelle had the honour of being selected by the Canadian Olympic Committee to attend the International Olympic Academy this past summer in Greece.

Michelle has a deep belief in the value of sport as a tool for change and improvement, and is committed to sharing this passion with her community.

Tom Walker (Member at Large)
A community developer in sport almost 20 years, Tom has encouraged leadership, increased organizational capacity, and horizontal integration among sport organizations, municipal recreation, education and health. Recently, Tom spent over three years with 2010 Legacies Now assisting provincial and local sport organizations, municipal recreation departments and First Nations communities in developing programs and systems to further such integration, incorporating the principles of Canadian Sport for Life. Before entering municipal government service, Tom coached swimming, but his highest sporting achievement was in being named the 1995 Forest Hills Little League T-Ball Coach of the Year.

Mark Vulliamy (Member at Large)
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mark was an employee of the Vancouver Park Board from 1977 to 2009. Starting his career in Recreation, he was the Coordinator at four community centres before being appointed in 1998 to the position of Manager of Planning and Research. His responsibilities in this position included strategic planning, capital renewal planning and policy development; park land acquisition; and Park Board input to City development planning.

Specific projects Mark has engaged in over the last decade include Community Centre and Aquatic Services Long Range Renewal Plans; public processes for synthetic turf playing fields, skateboard and BMX installations; Riley Hillcrest Nat Bailey Stadium Master Plans; and preparation of the Vancouver Sport Strategy.

Recently retired, Mark is currently Member at Large on the executive of Vancouver SportNet.

Brock Turner (Member at Large)

Work and Sport Affiliations

• Business Development Manager, Speedminton Canada (May 2011)
• Managing Principal – Frontline Leadership (May 2011)
• President, Vrroom4sport.com (May 2011)
• Chief Executive Officer, Badminton BC (May 2005-May 2011)
• Manager, Sport Promotion, Sport BC (2003-2005)
• Team Lead, Optimum Public Relations, Alcan Spirit or 2010 Tour (2002-2003)
• Vice President, Strategy Direct Marketing (2000-2003)
• Marketing Director, Lifesaving Society – BC & Yukon (1997-1999)
• Professional Swim Coach (1991-1996)

Volunteer Activities/Interests

• 2010 Olympic Winter Games – Volunteer for Olympic Family Programme
• Olympic Bid volunteer (2001-2003)
• Western Canada Games Mission Staff – Media Manager (2007)
• Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Media Manager (2006)
• World Junior Hockey Championship – Media Services Committee (2005-2006)
• Sport Communications Shared Interest Group representing Sport BC (2004-2005)
• Canada Games Team BC Mission Staff (2004-2005)
• International Internet Marketing Association – Education Committee (2000-2002)
• Wrestling BC – Board Member (1997-1999)
• Chair – Canadian National Senior Wrestling Championships (1996)
• Athlete Representative – Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association (1987-1989)
• Coach, Youth Lacrosse (2005)
• Coach, University Wrestling, UBC (2003-2004)
• Head Swim Coach, BC Winter Games (1993)
• Bronze Medal, Canadian National Senior Freestyle Wrestling (1991)
• Canada Summer Games Team member – Lacrosse (1981)
• Canada Winter Games Team member – Wrestling (1983)
• Western Canada Winter Games Team Member - Swimming (1979)

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Partners

Working Together is Better!

We thank our Partners below whose support is integral to keep the Vancouver Sport Network moving forward to service our members.

VSN Partners:

City of Vancouver Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Vancouver School Board Vancouver Community Associations Presidents Group Langara College University of British Columbia 2010 Legacies Now MoreSports Sport BC

KidSport BCRPA High Five Canadian Sport Centre Pacific – Vancouver Campus Canadian Sport for Life True Sport Sport Matters Respect in Sport Promotion Plus

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FAQ

More information about Sport Networks and benefit to Vancouver is available. more»

Join Us

The Vancouver Sport Network wants you to stay in touch with what's happening with sport and physical activity in our City. Why not become a member?

We encourage athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, schools, clubs, recreation centres, and other institutions, agencies, and groups who are involved in delivering sport and physical activity programs to join us.

Your membership also entitles you to a quarterly E-news, invitations to meetings, workshops, events, and an opportunity to stay connected and have input into the sport and physical activity community of Vancouver.

To join, please send an email with your name and contact information to sportnetwork@vancouver.ca

Contact Us

Vancouver Sport Network

c/o Cindy Crapper
Coordinator, Sport for Life
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
Recreation Services
4575 Clancy Loranger Way
Vancouver, BC, V5Y 2M4
Tel: 604-257-8564
cindy.crapper@vancouver.ca
www.vancouversportnetwork.ca

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