Phil Von Unruh was named a Capital News91裸聊视频� Community Leader of the Year winner in the coach category at the , held at Okanagan College, Oct. 23, 2017. The Community Leader Awards are given to local members of the community who demonstrate exceptional commitment and leadership.

A decade ago, with no hockey teams in Kelowna designed for special needs kids, Phil Von Unruh decided to take matters into his own hands.

So in 2006, Von Unruh rented ice time at Prospera Place and the Central Okanagan Wildcats special hockey program was born.

His oldest son, Kalen, who has autism, was one of six players to pull on hockey equipment for that first practise and Von Unruh91裸聊视频檚 vision has been evolving ever since.

Through his initiative, other special needs hockey programs in the B.C. interior are now operating in Vernon, Penticton and Kamloops.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very satisfying, especially when you see all the teams we now have playing and the fact that we also have a year-end tournament,91裸聊视频� Phil said. 91裸聊视频淲hen you look at pictures of that first year, we didn91裸聊视频檛 even have jerseys, the kids were wearing hoodies.

91裸聊视频淚t was a pretty rudimentary start you could say,91裸聊视频� he added, 91裸聊视频渟o it91裸聊视频檚 nice to see the growth we91裸聊视频檝e had here and other parts of the province.91裸聊视频�

And last year, Von Unruh created an adult team91裸聊视频攖he Okanagan Wild91裸聊视频攆or players 16 years of age and older, most of whom have moved up from the Wildcats91裸聊视频� program.

Susan Noble, a parent of one of the Wildcats91裸聊视频� players, has praise for Von Unruh and his selfless contributions to amateur sport in Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淗is larger-than-life, kindhearted personality makes it possible for all the players to experience success and have fun at the same time,91裸聊视频� Noble said of Von Unruh91裸聊视频檚 impact. 91裸聊视频淲ithout Phil91裸聊视频檚 dedication, enthusiasm and hard work, the opportunity for many of Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 special needs children to play hockey and be part of a team would not exist.91裸聊视频�

In addition to coaching hockey in winter, Von Unruh remains busy year-round as a volunteer, coaching Special Olympics bowling, track and field and soccer.

Previous:

Curtis McTavish - Leader of the Year

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .