The Delta Museum and Archives Society recently launched Our Delta Stories, a project that asks community members to share their favourite Delta story in 250 words or less. The stories will be posted to the society’s social media pages and website, while some will also be printed in the Optimist. This story comes from Barbara Bell (Budd).
Brian Budd was my brother. He was a successful athlete who honed his skillset while growing up in Delta. He was primarily known for playing soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps and winning at the Canadian Superstars and World Superstars competition three years in a row (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Budd).
He was trained as a young athlete by great Delta coaches, including Tsawwassen Swim Club coaches Gerry and Mary Jean Elliott and his elementary school principal Bill Kushnir. I know there were others whose names I have forgotten. He was awarded recognition by the Delta Sports Hall of Fame posthumously in 2009.
My mother Bertha Budd was a volunteer member of the Delta Historical Society when the society first took possession of the old municipal hall. I know she would have appreciated me sending you the attached photo.
The photo is of a silver trophy Brian won at Heath Elementary in 1961. He would have just turned nine years old that year in a school with 12 and 13 year olds. It was for best athlete at the school sports day.
He won everything he went in. Principal Bill Kushnir awarded it to him. Bill continued to mentor and encourage Brian his whole life.
