On November 27, 2020, the governor general announced the newest members of the Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Among the 114 new appointees is former BC Games official Tim Frick. Frick has been appointed for his expertise in coaching and his contributions to the advancement of parasports in Canada, exemplifying the Order’s motto: “DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM” ("They desire a better country").
Frick is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest wheelchair basketball coaches of all-time. He served as head coach of the Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team from 1990-2009, making Team Canada one of the leading teams in the history of Canadian amateur sports. As part of the BC Wheelchair Basketball coach contingent, Frick attended the Fort St. John 2020 BC Winter Games, adding his experience and wisdom to a great coach mentorship opportunity for all the wheelchair basketball coaches at the Games. His presence significantly impacted the positive culture within the wheelchair basketball community. Frick also served as an official at the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games and Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games.
Frick is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2014), the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame (2013), and the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Hall of Fame (2012), as well as a seven-time recipient of the Coaching Excellence Award, recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Geoff Gowan Award, Coaches of Canada Jack Donohue Award, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Now with the Order of Canada at the top of his list of accolades, he continues to make significant contributions to the sport community through the advancement of parasports as well as coach development, serving as a facilitator for the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Along with the other 113 appointees to the Order of Canada, Frick will be invited to accept his iconic snowflake insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date. For more information about the Order of Canada and the newest appointees, visit https://www.gg.ca/en/activities/2020/governor-general-announces-114-new-appointments-order-canada.