Delta’s Max Stalling was announced as the recipient of the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence for the 2016 BC Summer Games in Abbotsford.
Stalling is a standout in Lacrosse having competed at the 2014 BC Summer Games in Field Lacrosse and in Box Lacrosse at the 2016 BC Summer Games. He has led his local and school teams to championships and has been selected tournament most valuable player. This year he was identified by the provincial coaching staff and selected as part of Team BC to attend the national championships.
Stalling said, “I have always had a love for sports and in particular lacrosse. I have always put my 100% effort info every practice and game.”
At the BC Summer Games, Stalling was a key contributor to his team but suffered a broken arm leaving him sidelined. BC Lacrosse Provincial Advisor, Greg Toll shared, “On Saturday afternoon I watched him on the floor tossing the Lacrosse ball (one handed) into the boards and catching it one handed while his teammates were dressing for the game. I am sure if he could have found a way to hide the cast on his other arm he would have dressed and gone out with his team and still found a way to contribute one handed.” Stalling showed his leadership cheering on his teammates to a bronze medal finish.
Currently a student at South Delta Secondary School, he has been recognized with the Athletic Achievement Award for Junior Field Lacrosse and was the MVP in the final game of the Provincial Championships. Max is also an accomplished athlete in basketball and football.
Off the field of play Stalling has been actively involved in LAX4LIFE, a fundraising event for cancer research. His mother, Nancy as been battling breast cancer since 2011 and in her honour Max has personally raised over $8200 for this event.
The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one BC Summer Games athlete for their achievement in sport and leadership. Nominees were evaluated on sport accomplishments, ambition, and leadership. Stalling was nominated by BC Lacrosse and chosen by a BC Games Society selection panel.
The W.R. Bennett Award was named in honour of the former Premier of British Columbia, William Bennett, who was started the BC Summer and BC Winter Games program in 1978. The award includes a $2500 bursary to use towards future sport expenses or post secondary education.