Kamloops, British Columbia – Susan Kabotoff was awarded the 2018 ProMotion Plus Leadership Award today in a special ceremony at Thompson Rivers University. The Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games Civic Lunch recognizes the commitment of civic partners and honours the corporate and funding partners: the Province of British Columbia, Jazz Aviation, BC Ford Dealers, Global BC, Coast Capital Savings, and Black Press. The conclusion of the gathering honours an outstanding member of the community.
“The award is intended to identify, recognize, and celebrate the accomplishments of an individual or group in our community that has challenged the traditional limits for women and girls in sport,” explains Niki Remesz, Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games President. “The recipient must have a track record in supporting young female athletes as participants, competitors, and leaders.”
Kabotoff has been dedicated to coaching rugby; she pioneered the female rugby program at Norkam Secondary school. She fosters sustainability in sport and enables participation for girls with financial barriers by fundraising. Kabotoff contributions to the sporting community encapsulated the essence of the award – her passion for sport, commitment to volunteering, and focus on her local community.
“Susan led a trio of organizers in taking a group of rugby girls from the Kamloops, Lillooet, and Merritt areas on a trip to New Zealand to play rugby as the “Kamloops Raiders”. Her inclusion of girls from across communities to play on one team exemplifies her attitude towards cultivating female rugby beyond borders and without barriers,” Kayla Derkach of Jim Pattison Broadcast Group told the room as the event’s master of ceremonies. “The trips were about more than just travelling and playing rugby but about educating and presenting opportunities to the girls. Every one of these trips had players that if it wasn’t for Sue they would have never been on a plane, never seen a different culture, never have that opportunity. That is what it’s about for Sue: creating opportunities for personal growth, and opening doors for girls through sport.”
Kabotoff is also a BC Summer Games alumnus, most recently sharing a coaching role for Women’s Rugby 7’s in Abbotsford 2016.
More information about the ProMotion Plus Award can be found on the BC Games website: www.bcgames.org.