The BC Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2021 on October 7, 2021 – among which are six individuals with ties to the BC Games Society, whose impactful careers have greatly helped advance sport in our province. Included in this year’s class are former BC Games Society President and CEO, Kelly Mann, longtime volunteers, Judy Broom and David Cox, and three BC Games and Team BC alumni athletes.
Kelly Mann led the BC Games Society as President and CEO for 19 years between 1999-2018 after having been with the organization as an Event Manager for seven years. In his time as President and CEO, a new Core Sport model was implemented, solidifying the role of the BC Games as a key opportunity for athlete, coach, officials, and sport development. Furthermore, new standards and traditions were adopted to highlight the value of the host community and recognize and acknowledge the expertise its volunteers bring to the Games. Mann has also served on several boards, including KidSport Greater Victoria, the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, and the 2015 Canada Winter Games. He is currently a member of the TELUS Victoria Community Board.
Judy Broom was as staple in the BC field hockey community. For 27 years, she helped guide the development of the sport, with a focus on ensuring development opportunities for young athletes, such as participation in the BC Games. As a testament to her personal ethos, the annual Judy Broom High Performance Bursary was established by Field Hockey BC in Judy’s memory, aiming to provide female athletes with financial assistance for accessing athletic development opportunities. Entering the Hall in the Coach-Builder category alongside Judy is renowned Sports Psychologist, Dr. David Cox. Over the past four decades, Dr. Cox has worked with many of Canada’s provincial and national sports organizations, as well as athletes at both the amateur and professional level. Dr. Cox served on Team BC’s Mission Staff as Mental Performance Consultant (formerly Sports Psychologist) at the 2001 Canada Summer Games.
Among the athletes selected for induction are three prominent BC Games and Team BC alumni: Jason Delesalle, Gerry Gilmore, and Eli Pasquale. Delesalle is a three-time Paralympian and three-time medalist in para athletics, having captured gold and bronze at Atlanta 1996 and an additional silver at Barcelona 1992. He also competed at Sydney 2000 and the Coquitlam 1991 BC Summer Games. Gilmore is being inducted as a multi-sport athlete for her accomplishments in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She represented Team BC in softball at the 1969 Canada Summer Games in Nova Scotia. Pasquale’s illustrious collegiate basketball career encompassed five national championships with the University of Victoria between 1979 and 1984. He subsequently led Canada at the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, after representing Team BC at the 1981 Canada Summer Games.
The Class of 2021 will officially take their place in the Hall at the formal Induction Gala scheduled for June 9, 2022.