From athlete to coach to volunteer to officialB次元官网网址� Glenn Ford has done it all at the B.C. Games and 40 years later he continues to leave a legacy of giving back to the sport of judo.
It was at the inaugural B.C. Winter Games in 1979 in Kamloops that Ford participated in the team judo event, winning a silver medal. As the Games return to Kamloops to celebrate their 40th anniversary, so does Ford B次元官网网址� this time as an official.
B次元官网网址淗e is a great representative in the sport of judo, in that judo is more than just a sport B次元官网网址� it really is a way of life,B次元官网网址� said Thompson, executive director of Judo B.C.
Thompson said Ford is a valuable contributor to the sport in B.C. Having been involved in many B.C. Winter Games, officiating at all levels and coaching B次元官网网址� including the past 28 years at a club in Langley.
B次元官网网址淎gain, a great representation of what judo is as a sport. It is very much about creating great individuals on the mats but also off the mats. A big part of judo is giving back so that is something that is in our sport and he is just a fabulous example of that.B次元官网网址�
Ford, a humble person, said the B.C. Games has been an integral part of his life.
B次元官网网址淚t was a mini-Olympics then too. It was great because after that I was injured about three years later and wasnB次元官网网址檛 able to fight too much more so I started coaching at the B.C. Games,B次元官网网址� said Ford. B次元官网网址淚t was great and really good to see how things have changed for the better.
The sport of judo continues to evolve
Thompson, who is the executive director of Judo B.C., said they made huge gains in the past year and half after hiring sport development director and provincial coach Jeremy LeBris.
B次元官网网址淗e is here and he is watching every single match to see how the kids are doing but he is also involved in our coach mentorship program, the school program to help create more awareness for our sport and get more kids involved in it. We already have more kids at this event, the age grouping ties in better with the Canada Winter Games and a lot of that is from him.B次元官网网址�
LeBris, originally from France before moving to Quebec to work with the national team, is already helping Judo B.C. win more medals at national competitions, getting more athletes participating at youth provincial championships and more athletes at the B.C. Games.
Thompson has a clear vision for the future, which includes more B.C. athletes developing into Olympians.
B次元官网网址淎bsolutely that is the goal. And we hope that they have been her at these Games and that they will be on the Olympic podium in eight years, maybe 12.B次元官网网址�
