The Burnaby Minor Hockey Association was named the Association of the Year this past weekend by its governing body, the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association, which oversees all 44 Lower Mainland youth hockey organizations.
The award, the Fred Page Memorial Trophy, is given to the association that’s deemed to have made an “outstanding contribution to its community” through its minor hockey program.
Larry Hayes, the executive administrator/secretary of the hockey organization said the association is proud of what they do, and that includes letting all kids play hockey.
BMHA provides a comprehensive service not just to elite athletes, but a competitive stream as well as a very vibrant recreation stream as well, and Hayes said he believes this is one of the reasons they were recognized with this award.
“We have a philosophy – we do not turn any kids away,” Hayes said. “We certainly pride ourselves on being a real community organization.”
That includes players who come from all across the globe.
“Burnaby being Burnaby with a lot of immigrants, we have one of the highest numbers of international transfers,” Hayes said. This includes players from China, Japan, Lebanon, Iran, Brazil, Ireland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, the U.S.A. and other countries.
Burnaby Minor also recognizes and celebrates its volunteers and referees, something that other organizations don’t necessarily do, and this impressed the PCAHA, Hayes said, going “above and beyond just providing a puck and ice.”
They also have a “vibrant” beginner program called First Shift, a Hockey Canada program, Hayes said, which gives young kids an affordable introduction to the sport.
Hayes, who has volunteered with the BMHA for 40 years, also received the President’s Service Award this weekend for his contribution to amateur hockey, and out-going president, Darryl Mah, a long-time volunteer, received the Meritorious Service Award.
The minor hockey organization, which has been in existence for 54 years and had 52 teams and more than 800 players this year, received the honours at the PCAHA annual general meeting.
Burnaby Minor Hockey Association is the first Burnaby minor hockey organization to receive this award, which has been given out since the 1977/78 season.
