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Maureen Orchard wins the 2009 Volunteer Achievement Award

 

Wheelchair Basketball Canada congratulates lifelong volunteer and basketball advocate Maureen Orchard as the 2009 winner of the Canadian Sport Leadership Awards for Volunteer Achievement. The True Sport Foundation officially announced the winners for the 37th Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) at an awards presentation held at the Canadian Sports Centre Ontario in Toronto. The March 3rd event celebrated excellence in sport and honoured the athletes and leaders who competed and inspired hope throughout the 2009 calendar year.

Orchard is a full-time volunteer with over thirty years of experience. She has taken on many leadership roles, serving as president, vice president, treasurer, director, coach and referee for a number of key sport organizations including the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Basketball, Basketball Manitoba, and FIBA. Most recently Orchard has served as the President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.  During this time she has been the driving force behind significant international growth and in particular, has championed enhanced opportunities for juniors and women.

The Leaders from the sport and corporate communities gathered at the presentation of the 2009 sport awards to represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition in the world of Canadian amateur sport. Representatives from government and members of the general public were also able to attend the ceremony and catch a glimpse of some of Canada's sporting heroes.

"This is a special year for our athletes and sport leaders," said Victor Lachance, Executive Director, The True Sport Foundation. "Canada is overcome with pride for all of our sport heroes."

Orchard was honoured along with five other individuals and two sport groups including recent Olympic Gold Medalists snowboarder Jasey-Jay Anderson and speedskater Christine Nesbitt who where awarded Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively.

For more information please contact:

Rosemary Pitfield
Director of Communications True Sport
(613) 521-3340 x3236
rpitfield@truesport.ca