Speed skating coach Keith Gordon has also been recognized for his outstanding work in the community with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
In a brief presentation on Thursday, Jan. 17 at the oval, Gordon was presented with a certificate by Alison Leach in honour of the recognition.
“There’s so much that I could try and say about Keith - the years of dedication,” said Leach. “I think you’re a wonderful coach.”
“We couldn’t do what we do unless we have a good club structure,” said Gordon, recognizing the Falcons Speed Skating Club itself.
Gordon was the only speed skating coach in Canada to receive the medal, and one of only 49 coaches to get it.
Keith Gordon has been a speed skating coach in Northern BC for over 25 years. Below are some of his accomplishments/achievements over this time:
- Certified Level 3 Speed Skating Coach.
- Coaching Learning Facilitator and Coach Evaluator for Speed Skating Canada - BC Speed Skating Assoc. for Fundamentals and Introduction to Competition for new NCCP.
- Course Conductor for coaching under old NCCP.
- Coach in Fort St James Falcons Speed Skating Club for over 25 years.
- Coach of Regional Training Centre - Speed Skating - Northern BC.
- Zone Coach for BC Winter Games Speed Skating multiple times.
- Two-time Sport Chair for Speed Skating at BC Winter Games.
- Coach of Team BC Speed Skating at multiple national competitions including multiple Canada Games.
- Member of Speed Skate Canada Coaching Committee and a contributor to the development of the Long Term Participation Athlete Development model for Speed Skating-Racing on Skates.
- Fort St. James Falcon Board Member
- Has coached skaters in all age groups (Active Start (Beginner) through to Active 4 Life (Master))
- Has coached many skaters that go on to train at National Training Centre (Calgary) in both Short Track and Long Track speed skating.
- Has built for the past 20 years the Fort St James Long Track Outdoor Speed Skating Oval.
- Been a mentor to many developing coaches over the years including the Female Coach Apprenticeship Program
- Assists in planning of training camps and coach learning opportunities held in the region to maximize the opportunities for athletes and coaches.
- Assists with opportunities to showcase and demonstrate the value of speed skating to the community, eg. working with the media, meeting with community leaders, sport leaders, elected officials, etc. as needed and requested
- Has coached community soccer, as well as assisting the organizing committees of various community events
- Keith continues to be very physically active - skating, cycling, running, cross-country skiing.
Nationally ranked speed skater Jay Morrison presented Keith Gordon with his medal in Fort St. John over the Jan. 26 weekend.