BC Wheelchair Sports Athlete’s Honoured

Two BC Wheelchair Sports Association members from Vancouver Island have been honoured with Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards.

Trevor Hirschfield (Parksville) won the Athlete with a Disability of the Year Award and Peter Lawless (Victoria, BC) won the Coach of the Year Award at a ceremony inside the River Rock Casino. Michelle Stilwell, also of Parksville was a finalist for the Athlete with a Disability of the Year Award.
“We are so proud of both Trevor and Peter,” said BCWSA Executive Director Gail Hamamoto. “They are incredibly deserving of this honour, and exemplify the values of hard work and determination. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate their success with the sport community in British Columbia.

Trevor Hirschfield is considered to be one of the best low-point players in the game of wheelchair rugby. His performance at the London 2012 Paralympics was crucial in Canada’s upset over number-one-ranked USA, which propelled Canada to the gold medal game. Canada finished the Games with a silver medal.

Trevor’s next be seen in action at the Vancouver Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at the Richmond Olympic Oval from March 15-17.

Peter Lawless is the coach of decorated wheelchair racer Michelle Stilwell. This year, he coached Stilwell to a gold medal and a silver medal at this year’s Paralympic Games, in addition to two world records.

Also acknowledged at the awards was BCWSA’s Sport BC President’s Award recipient, Fannie Roy Smith of Vancouver. Smith was recognized for her contribution as a volunteer to both BC Wheelchair Sports Association and BC Wheelchair Basketball Society.

Photo from the http://bcwheelchairsports.com/ site