Jim Martin was a familiar presence at North Shore athletic events. From high school gyms to Klahanie Park, he was a key driving force behind the North Shore's culture of athletic involvement and achievement.
After graduating from North Van High School and UBC , Jim returned to the North Shore where he taught and coached for 35 years.
During that time he coached teams in rugby, track and field, volleyball skiing and more. He taught at North Van High, Hamilton and Carson Graham and coached rugby at Argyle where his sons were attending high school.
He served as the co-ordinator of the North Shore Secondary School Athletic Association from 1999-2008, was a key member of the North Shore Sport Award selection committee and was a long time member of the Capilano Rugby Club, having played as a young man for the North Shore All Blacks-the Capilano club's predecessor.
Sadly, Jim passed away in a house fire in 2011, leaving a large void in the North Shore sports community
To remember his commitment and honour his life's work, a number of Jim's former colleagues, friends and even students - among them Cathy McNaughton, Lauren Evanow, Joe Parente and Jan-Christian Sorensen - have joined with Jim's son Nick to create the Jim Martin Memorial Society. The objective of the society is to raise funds and award assistance on an annual basis to local athletes, teams and organizations in the form of bursaries, equipment and financial assistance.
The society's inaugural fundraising event - the "Jim Martin Mingler" - will be held in early June at the Capilano Rugby Football Club and will feature a live band, live and silent auctions, buffet dinner and plenty of fun.
To help generate support and spread word of their activities, the society will launch its website in the next month, but in the meantime, interested parties can find out more by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Society members will also be on hand to provide more information to the local community at the 2012 North Shore Sport Awards on the night of Tuesday, April 17 at Park Royal in West Vancouver.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Nominate someone you know! Do you know someone whose talent and ability have made a difference to community sport in 2011? We have over 15 categories to choose from, and using our new online nomination form makes nominating someone easier than ever before.
Attend this year's event This year's event takes place at 7: 30pm on April 17th at Park Royal Shopping Centre (North Mall). Come and be inspired by the amazing athletes, coaches and volunteers.
For more information, visit us online at www.nssportawards.com
