Sport BC Presidents' Award Winner

Seaside is pleased to announce club president Shane Donen was awarded the prestigious Sport BC Presidents' Award at the 55th Annual Athlete of the Year awards ceremony and banquet, Thursday, March 9th, 2023. 

Founded in 1994, the Presidents' Awards promote and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism by giving member organizations an opportunity to acknowledge and thank an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to their sport organization. 

From the awards ceremony:

"Shane Donen has been the president of Seaside Volleyball Club for the past 20 years, circa 2003. As co-founder, he has built the organization up to be one of largest youth volleyball clubs in BC. Besides running 22 boys’ and girls’ teams, Shane manages many youth development programs supporting the ever-growing sport of volleyball in the South Surrey and surrounding communities." 

"Shane has been involved behind the scenes in the broader volleyball community as a sport builder, locally, provincially, and nationally. He served as the Pacific Volleyball Society’s CEO, founders of the Volleyball Canada Center of Excellence. Shane served on the VBC Regional Development Committee for many years, was instrumental in the installation of the first beach courts at Kits Beach and Semiahmoo Secondary. In 2019, Shane initiated the building of one of the first youth club volleyball practice facilities in the Fraser Valley, “the Wave”. During the 2-year covid pandemic, Shane opened the Wave to all kids, running over 100 summer volleyball camps and programs."

"While running the club, Shane has supplemented his support with 30+ years of coaching teams of all ages, at the club, high-school, provincial team and internationally with numerous championship medals in all disciplines. Shane supports the local high schools, providing much needed community coaching, building relationships with athletic directors to further the sport of volleyball."

"Shane is also the author of a self-help helicopter parenting book called "The Hovering Game." He works hard to help parents, guiding them through the youth sports years. He has created a long-lasting, positive culture that continues to endure and grow. Shane is one of the dynamic community leaders in BC youth volleyball today."

Congratulations to Shane Donen this well deserved award.