2009 RBC Local Hockey Leaders: 14 dedicated volunteers recognized

It’s nearly impossible to count the volunteers in Canada who dedicate time, energy and passion toward sport in their communities. That’s why RBC created the Local Hockey Leaders Program in 2003, a national initiative to recognize and reward behind-the-scenes hockey volunteers who give their time to this sport.

Andrée Leblanc from Daveluyville, Quebec and Rick Jones from St. Catharines, Ontario are two amazing volunteers who have been recognized in 2009 for their outstanding involvement in minor hockey. RBC Insurance, with support from Hockey Canada and Hockey Hall of Fame, also also rewarded 12 other hockey volunteers, one for each Hockey Canada branch and an RBC employee, all of whom were nominated for their selfless commitment to minor hockey by members in their local communities.

Each winner will receive a signed Team Canada jersey and $10,000 to use towards a registered charity or hockey cause in their community. They will also be recognized in a permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame which will be unveiled on June 16 during a special ceremony. In 2010, as a special reward, these 14 volunteers will get the unique chance to carry the Olympic Flame with a team of up to 20 individuals in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada.

Winners were selected from hundreds of nominations by a panel including president and CEO of RBC Insurance Neil Skelding, National Women’s Team member Jayna Hefford, National Men’s Ice Sledge Hockey Team captain Jean Labonté, hockey legend Ron Ellis, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games executive vice president Dave Cobb, Hockey Canada acting chair Ken Corbett and other Hockey Canada officials.

Andrée’s story

Hockey has been part of Andree Leblanc’s life since she was young. Every Saturday morning, she accompanied her father to the local arena where he coached a pee-wee team. “The players were like brothers to me and my sisters,” she said. Leblanc also played with friends in her teen years.

For the past 17 years, she’s volunteered with l’Association du Hockey Mineur Daveluyville and sat on the board of directors as vice-president, governor, registrar, manager of two hockey teams and supervisor of all tournaments in the Bois-Francs sector in the Estrie region. “My father gave me his passion for hockey and I give it to my children through my volunteering and my support by attending all of their games,” said Leblanc.

“She’s a very important volunteer who always succeeds, even while raising four children, in ensuring that our village’s minor hockey association shows a positive image of the sport and of [demonstrating] the pleasure that players and parents can experience in the sport,” wrote Jérome Sicard in the nomination essay for his mother. Her current dream is to host the Dodge Cup in 2010 and she’s putting in long hours preparing the bid for the association.

Her motivation to give time, energy and knowledge to minor hockey comes from youth. “I care about youth who love this sport and want to play in the best possible conditions. I adore hockey and I want to pass on this passion to everyone I meet so that there is a continuity in this sport,” she explained.

Rick Jones, 2009 RBC Local Hockey Leader Rick’s story

It was normal for Rick Jones to play ice and road hockey year round with his family of 10 brothers and sisters. Jones started volunteering about 30 years ago in the St. Catharines community by coaching the Special Olympics Baseball program. “I was asked to help out on third base and I was hooked from that moment on. My brother Brian has a developmental disability and he started to play baseball. This kept me interested, knowing that he could participate in sport like the rest of us,” he said.

Among his long list of accomplishments in the last few years, Jones initiated a program—the St. Catharines Special Needs Hockey Program—for the mentally challenged children and adults in the Niagara region that falls under the Catholic Youth Organization Hockey Association. He’s involved in all aspects of the program including coaching, mentoring, sitting on the board of directors and organizing the Program’s annual golf tournament fundraiser.

Mark Middleton, who nominated Jones for the RBC award wrote, “As a parent of a mentally disabled child, I don’t know what my son would be doing for enjoyment and sport if Rick hadn’t started this hockey program. This is not just a hockey team, but a place where disabled children and adults can socialize with their peers.”

“Whenever I see a special needs athlete cheering because the other team scored, I get goose bumps and it reaffirms my commitment to help people understand the true meaning of sportsmanship through the examples these kids show game after game,” said Jones who is also the president of the board of directors for Community Living St. Catharines.

Incredible feeling

Andrée and Rick both have trouble believing they will carry the Olympic Flame.

“It’s a dream for me. It’s an honour and I’m so proud. I feel like a kid and I’m counting down the days!” said Leblanc.

Jones said, “I’ve been a fan of the Olympic Games all of my life and to be able to say that I carried the Olympic Flame is one thing I know most people will never get to do. I will cherish this opportunity; it is a chance of a lifetime.”

Both of them want to use RBC $10,000 monetary award for projects of their hockey associations wisely. Jones will use the money for a trip to England for the annual Special Hockey International tournament in two years. “Our team has always wanted to attend this event, but money was always an issue. This will bring us closer than ever to our goal.” Leblanc wants to use the money for projects that will directly benefit the association and youth.

All Canadians over the age of 13 are encouraged to apply to become torchbearers at vancouver2010.com