This past spring both Kevin and myself at Eastlink TV covered an event that was focused on helping to promote and grow sports for others and that was when I met Grayson and Family.

I had the chance to chat with the Family at the Kids Sport Gala which is always sold out and as it worked out Grayson was the “special” guest speaker.

For a young person not having been placed in this position in the past he was shy at first but eventually opened up to the special guest host which happened to be  Richmond’s Olympic Race Walker Evan Dunfee.

The event finished that saw funds raised for a good cause and that was the last time I spoke with Grayson until last week when out of the blue his Mom sent me a note telling me of something new he is involved in.

While attending the Giants training camp I had a chance to chat and mention this to Nathan Kanter, Giants play by play person who helped arrange a meet and greet with the Giants Coaching staff

We met after the first scrimmage Friday where he went into the Giants coaches room where they all spoke with him then they took him in the team dressing room for a photo op.

He was like a “kid in a candy store” absolutely in awe of not just meeting the coaching staff but also being in the dressing room and for someone who you would think was shy he spoke like they were his buddies.

He has a dream to start what he called “Play It Forward Sport”  which is a grassroots project he started and is built on the belief that every child in our Delta community deserves the chance to play the sport they love, no matter the cost of equipment.

Think what you might but was a great concept for him to come up with which I for one applaud as a young eight-year old to conjure up as a hockey player with a big heart having a dream of helping one child at a time!!

Photo’s below Nathan Kanter Giants Play by Play and the logo Grayson designed

In today’s world it seems that if you want to know something “ask a child” and they’ll tell you what they think and unlike some adults they don’t sugar coat the topic which I sincerely appreciate.

He also has stickers which are rather exceptional looking if I do say so myself and if you need some let me know or contact Grayson and we’ll get them to you and without forgetting “THE GIANTS COACHING STAFF” have some.

He designed our logo himself, imagining a future where no child goes without simply because they don’t have the gear to play.

The dream became Play It Forward Sport and far too often, kids are left watching from the sidelines. 

Parents are faced with heartbreaking choices between groceries, bills, and the gear that allows their child to feel included, confident, and proud.

We believe in changing that story

We collect new and gently used gear for sports hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, because every child deserves the joy, growth, and life lessons that sports provide, then donations are donated back into the community to associations or community centres to fill the gap.

Grayson’s dream is now ours too: a community where no child goes without, to feel empowered.

Contact:  Grayson@playitforwardsportsdelta.com

This is only the start for a youngster who has a “big dream” so let’s all pull together and help Grayson out.

Get involved – help Grayson help others!!!!

SPECIAL THANKS TO NATHAN KANTER AND THE VANCOUVER GIANTS COACHING STAFF FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE GRAYSON FEEL SO VERY WELCOME .

ON A SIDE NOTE – THE GIANTS HAVE SOME STICKERS WHICH THEY LOVE AND WISH HIM ALL THE BEST!!!!

The post Our Why – Why Not!!! first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The season officially kicks off the later part of April and given the playoff run concludes the middle part of July, but that depends on the length of the playoff run.

We have the luxury to work with various individuals ranging from the players to coaches, management as well as the executive body of the Association.

At times various changes are made throughout the season mainly with players but they are made for both the betterment of the players and the club.

The Islanders have an exceptional working relationship with the other clubs so any player movement or trades are not all that convoluted for anyone.

This past season we have covered and broadcast the Junior Tier 1, Tier 2 as well as Junior A clubs watching their progression for all home games that have been well received from those viewing the games.

All games (unlike other streaming providers) are set up free to watch rather than charging the parents, grandparents and/or scouts watching the games.

At times this year we have had the luxury to utilize the services of Matt Hoegg as a color commentator which he filled in, skeptical at first but then he asked if his services were required and oddly enough he enjoyed filling in and was quite good at it.

He added additional information that involved internal stats, figures and behind the scenes info which only executives were privy to.

Having said that the season wasn’t an overall loss as the “A” team made the playoffs while both the B 1 and B2 team will rebuild for the 2026 season.

On a winning point we are pleased to mention that the Junior A Coaching staff were recognized as the winning Coaches of the Year in the BCJALL. 

In addition the league recognized the overall structure, discipline and winning ways the coaches brought in 2025 noting that the team took huge steps under their guidance this season!

Congratulations also go out to both Logan Schuss and Matt Hoegg for being named Executive Team of the Year for the BCJALL. 

Off the floor they worked tirelessly hours to improve the overall team culture and player depth, and translated it to a winning season in 2025.

Well deserved and Sportswave is proud to be connected with the Delta Islanders organization.

We can’t wait for 2026!!!

The post Delta Islanders Coaches Named Coaches Of The Year first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

This year marks the fifth consecutive season that the Pioneers won the league championship managing it by pulling off a 8-4 win giving them the 3-0 series win in the best of 5 setting up a trip to Whitby Ontario for the President’s Cup Championship.

They played 6 playoff games finishing with a perfect 6-0 record collecting 64 goals while allowing 34 against playing Victoria in the league final who were 3-3 in playoff action managing 37 goals for and 40 against.

The third period saw the game tied at four before two goals 6 seconds apart from Brayden Bushnoe and Coady Adamson, coupled with a pair of late short handed goals gave Ladner the series win and a trip to the Presidents Cup.

Bushnoe led scoring in game three finishing with 2 goals and 1 assist with Alex Buque turning aside 41 of 45 shots.

Adamson swept all playoff offensive categories with goals (9), assists (12) and total points (21) while Buque had the top save percentage (88.8%), goals against average (5.43) and wins (6) in goal.

Currently there are eight teams all vying for the coveted championship and while local Delta fans are cheering for the Pioneers it’s anyone’s championship title.

The Championship is hosted by the Brooklyn Merchants with the first game or the Pioneers is against the Winnipeg Blizzard at 10 AM Ontario time so if you want to catch the action be sure to set your alarm.

Without sounding overly disrespectful to the other team over the past seasons the Pioneers have had little to contend with with some asking if the league will even survive in the next few years but that’s out of my paygrade.

Everyone questions if players are paid to play in the league and that question remains a mystery  to many while we hear that some are and others play for the love of the sport.

Depending on who you ask some teams have a stronger following while some have a hard time attracting a regular and consistent group of fans, which is sad to see.

While the championship is getting started it’s going to be an interesting week of exciting Sr. B Lacrosse.

Cheer for your team but if you live in the lower mainland – cheer for the PIONEERS!!!

The post Pioneers Search For Another President’s Cup first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

For our “two cents worth” the Park desperately needs lights at the entrance plus additional seating as well as something other than the two metal rusty containers on the far side of the field which are waiting for someone to get seriously injured before changes are made. SAD BUT TRUE!!!

If you’re old enough to remember the park was to have an arrangement with the Whitecaps back in 2008 allowing them to develop a team training facility, plus a National Training Centre.

That was when Delta’s Mayor Lois Jackson had a meeting with Premier Gordon Campbell discussing establishing the above mentioned National Soccer Training facility.

Just thinking – just maybe Lois might be able to add some additional thoughts to why this fell apart – just maybe?

The idea to build a soccer training centre at the 20-hectare (50-acre) land saw the municipality sign a memorandum of understanding with the Whitecaps to construct a $31 million plan which included a clubhouse for both National and Professional players, on several fields to which Delta would pay for all roadway improvements. 

The Municipality would provide a 60-year-lease for the Whitecaps which would allow a portion of the park to be used by the club while Delta residents were told that Premier Campbell and Liberal candidate Wally Oppal promised provincial funding during the 2009 election campaign.

The proposal was taken off the drawing board when Delta and the soccer club were unable to agree on how much community usage would be.

Delta Councillor chaired the Parks and Rec Commission (at that time) Robert Campbell mentioned “They really didn’t offer any community access and we were stuck with them offering times amassing to like six tournaments a year plus the Caps also wanted to build one artificial turf field where we required they build two.”

Fast forward to 2012, the Whitecaps and government announced BC would assist to complete “a world-class soccer development centre” at UBC while the Caps had also launched a soccer academy in partnership with the school district which also received a “Red Card.”

“Care should be made to ensure a comprehensive plan is followed for development,” the plan notes.

In recent conversation with some individuals at City Hall they mention that some of the Delta’ medium-term (2023-2027) wish list ideas at JO currently include improvements to the park such as additional fields, a fieldhouse capable of hosting community activities, additional parking and other improvements.

Estimated cost for all those projects at the site add up to $30 million and if you say it fast it’s not all that much given today’s market value of playing fields.

Before the earlier plan that went south with the Whitecaps, the city had earlier made an arrangement with the Ex-Britannia Rugby Association for the park which included restoring the John Oliver Bark which for many was a landmark plus developing new playing fields – neither of which happened!

Sadly for many the barn was deemed not feasible which created somewhat of a “firestorm” and eventually dismantled.

Fast forward to the July 28 Regular Council Meeting, Delta Council received reports on three major initiatives that will hopefully shape the future of parks, recreation and culture in the city, 

These include the John Oliver Park Master Plan, the new Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan, and the final Sports Field Needs Assessment report. 

Delta Mayor George V. Harvie mentioned ​“These are exciting projects that reflect our commitment to supporting a growing and active community.”

He continued “We want to thank park users and the sports organizations that have contributed to date and are looking forward to hearing from residents as we move ahead with long-term planning for our parks, programs, and sports facilities.” 

If you’ve got ideas contact Delta’s City Hall and come up with some new ideas which will shape the future of John Park.

The post Changes In The Plans For John Oliver Park? first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Even when outside cutting the grass I had a lady approach me at first talking about finally getting the grass cut then on to  sports and somehow the topic of Pickleball came up.

She mentioned how it has helped her get out every couple of days which was more of a therapeutic outing after the loss of her late husband.

On that note I wasn’t sure how to approach the topic but after a bit of a “chit chat” she was telling me about how Pickleball changed her life.

Needless to say I was pleased that we had the time to chat and a short two days later I had the chance to connect with Landon Kitagawa who is the Delta Pickleball Association (DPA) President who continues to be amazed how the club continues to grow.

Let’s not forget that Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in North America hearing that there is over a 300% growth in only the past three years. 

All due to a couple of reasons with the first being its easy to learn plus the low cost starting out, health benefits but mostly due to the social nature of the sport.

In our recent conversation he mentioned how the public perceives the sport noting that they know the following: first it’s noisy, second it is a fast growing game and lastly that it’s played by “old people” play.

To some extent in part the above is true but what’s frustrating from those playing is that the public don’t understand the positive aspects of the sport.

The oldest member in the club is a “young 90” who recently is three months off a knee replacement plus players who are in their 80ties competitive who come from tennis and other racquet backgrounds.

One mandate by the DPA is to educate the public of some of the other elements benefits of the sport which could be a 2.0 pickleball message which includes getting people off the couch, away from the TV becoming active as my neighbour mentioned earlier in the  article.

I personally have spoken with some in the area who mentioned they have dropped weight maintaining a healthier lifestyle plus a sport that’s easy for elders to play due to the rules.

Fair to mention that historically the “less athletic people” are able to play who might not have been able to play pickleball have nothing in the past now having a sport something they can play.

The other thing that many don’t understand is that in the province we currently have an epidemic of mental health and it’s not just for young people but also elderly people as well who are recently retired looking for things to keep them active looking for a new lifestyle.

With Landon being a long-time Delta resident II asked him what he enjoys most and he mentioned “ seeing and watching people in Delta have opportunities to be able to transform their lives where appropriate.

Everyone talks about various negative things such as mental health, physical health and accessibility for elderly people but it’s Pickleball is not just sport for elderly people but with the fastest growing sector in sport is from in North America being ages 18-34. This is something that we in Canada have yet to discover yet but it’s ironic that the average age of membership in Delta DPA has been decreasing noting that which is evidence that the club is attracting younger members.

The one reason that Pickleball’s explosive growth in Delta and the rest of Canada is in large part to all of the significant benefits players get from playing. is gaining popularity is due to all the benefits that you might not see at first but over time you’ll notice the change.

Interesting to note  that initially the The Delta Pickleball Association, after starting with just 12 members  club started with 12, noting that the club currently has “roughly” now boasts around 900 members! with a turnover of about 20% of the members who find other areas to play.

Everyone talks about various negative things such as mental health, physical health and accessibility for elderly people but it’s not just sport for elderly people but the fastest growing sector in sport is from ages 18-34.

This is something that we in Canada have yet to discover yet but it’s ironic that the membership in Delta has been decreasing noting that the club is attracting younger members.

The post Pickleball – Delta’s Fastest Growing Sport first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Each race event brings over 30,000 fans who enjoy exciting world-class cycling for this annual summer tradition noting that this year marks the 52nd edition bringing its legacy as Canada’s most iconic one-day criterium. 

Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix Race Director Mark Ernsting mentioned “A thrilling addition to the race this year is the Red Bull fastest lap award noting that the Riders will be timed across three laps, with the first rider across the line each time challenging for the fastest lap prize.”

Also new to the event this year is McLaren Vancouver as the official vehicle partner that will display their high-performance vehicles on display throughout the race, adding a new layer of prestige and excitement to the experience for fans and riders alike.

McLaren Vancouver General Manager Charles Mercier mentioned “McLaren Vancouver is excited to join this year’s Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix.” 

He continued “The race is North America’s most prominent professional cycling criterium and a perfect fit to showcase our McLaren GTS as the lead and follow vehicle and we are also looking forward to fans seeing our McLaren 750S on display as part of this prestigious event.”

Since its inception in 1973 by Roger Sumner, the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix has grown into not only Canada’s, but also North America’s oldest criterium. 

Racing legends like Alex Stieda, Alison Sydor, Gina Grain, and Eric Young have left their mark on Gastown’s famed cobblestones. 

The event continues to attract elite global talent – including multiple Olympians – every year.

Last year’s champion was American rider Tyler Stites on the men’s side, while fellow American Skylar Schneider topped the women’s field. 

Historically, the starting list in Gastown features an exciting mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars, and this year projects to be no different.

For full details about the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, including traffic advisories, visit https://globalrelayggp.org. 

About Global Relay

Global Relay is the leading provider of recordkeeping for the global financial sector and other highly regulated industries. 

Founded in 1999, Global Relay delivers services to over 20,000 customers in 90 countries, including 22 of the top 25 banks.

From the Global Relay App for compliant communications, through to intelligent archiving, superior data connectors, and proactive surveillance, Global Relay’s integrated compliance solutions enable regulated organizations to meet all recordkeeping requirements.

Thanks to Brian Wiebe, Media Relations for the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix.

The post Athletes Return To The 2025 Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

I covered this sport last year in Ladner and had the chance to talk with both Peter Darvill the Director of Delta Pickleball as well as Cheryl Becir who gave me the insight of how the sport started in Delta.

Delta Pickleball started somewhat slow but over time the sport seemed to not just catch on but impress various individuals and groups in the Delta community and due to the cost it was not just family friendly but family affordable.

There were some in the  area that were adamant in keeping the sport in left field and depending on who you ask it was in part due to the noise the ball made when it hit the paddle according to various sources who were up front letting us know the reason they were set against bringing this sport to their neighborhood.

Time changes everything and given the backing of the City of Delta the sport has not just grown it has taken the community by storm after a location was found for the sport to be played at.

Regardless, every sport has a certain level of noise depending on who you ask but for whatever reason Pickleball seemed to attract the ire of the community who were extremely vocal about it.

Since the first initial meeting with the City of Delta it seems that this has been somewhat resolved over the course of time and it did take time to resolve the issue.

Currently the Delta Pickleball has over 800 members and boasts to be one of if not the largest club in in BC and recently hosted their third annual Dash “N” Smash at Chalmers Park in North Delta.

Due to the size the event was well advertised across North America and had an impressive turnout of players as well as spectators on hand to take it in and who knows maybe attract some new players.

As one might expect the event was to educate, teach and provide fun for everyone attending the event either playing or watching.

Delta’s not the only City to have the sport played as when you look at the listings in the area Surrey, New West as well as the City of Vancouver have a huge following playing the sport noting that there is a waiting list to play.

Congrats on the success of the growth of the sport and if it helps build a healthy community it might just take a “load off” our medical system – MAYBE JUST WISHFULL THINKING!!!

The post Delta Pickleball – Dash “N” Smash Huge Success first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

We received the following press release from ​​​​​​​the City of Delta, in partnership with the Delta School District and Province and wanted to share the news of the opening of the new track and infield at Delta Secondary School.   

Enjoy the read: 

Delta Council was joined by Surrey-City Centre MLA Amna Shah, Delta South MLA Ian Paton, as well as Delta School Trustees and representatives from Tsawwassen First Nation, to finally make it official and open the upgraded track and field facility. 

In the spirit of “hitting the ground running,” students participated in a baton relay on the newly installed surface to display the track in full use and symbolize the handing down of the new track to future generations.    

​​​The opening marks the completion of a year-long construction process, the final phase of which included the installation of the new synthetic surface of the track. 

Throughout the installation period, the newly laid sod infield was given an opportunity to fully establish, ensuring its endurance for usage year-round. 

Along with the new grass infield, sized for soccer and rugby, and six-lane synthetic surface running track the facility also features:  

• ​​New combination rugby and soccer goals  
• ​​Two long jump runways and pits, configured to facilitate para-athletes   
• ​​New irrigation and drainage system   
• ​​Track perimeter lighting   
• ​​Hard surface pedestrian connection to Memorial Park from 45 Avenue  

​​​Work began on track and field reconstruction in June 2024, with a temporary asphalt track available for public use through the winter. 

Installation of the synthetic running surface resumed at the beginning of April and was completed at the end of May. 

The Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs – Growing Communities Fund provided $5 million for the track’s upgrades.   

​​​The timing of the track’s opening in anticipation of the beginning of summer allows the public to utilize both the running surface and green space for a variety of outdoor activities. ​   

“Investments in amenities like these support our vibrant, growing community as we build more housing for people in Delta. 

Whether it’s elite athletics or general health and wellness, people will have more opportunities to stay active and get outdoors. I’m pleased our government is partnering with the City of Delta and Delta School District on this project.” ​ 

​–  Ravi Kahlon, Delta North MLA and Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs 

“This beautiful new track and field is a wonderful amenity for both the school and public. By updating and maintaining these essential community spaces, we provide important resources for everyone to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. We are grateful to help establish another high-quality facility that can be used for decades to come. I want to thank the Delta School District and the Province of BC for their partnership on another critical project.”     

​​–  Mayor George V. Harvie   

​“We’re thrilled to have this new track at Delta Secondary. This isn’t just an upgrade to a facility – it’s a powerful investment in the health, well-being, and future of our youth. We know how vital physical activity is for both body and mind, and this new space will inspire movement, connection, and community pride. A heartfelt thank you to the Province and the City of Delta for making this vision a reality—not just for our students, but for the entire Delta community.”  

​– Joe Muego, Chair, Delta Board of Education 

​​To learn more about the Delta Secondary School Track Replacement Project, visit letstalk.delta.ca/DSSTrack.​ ​ 

The post Delta Secondary Track Officially Open!! first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.