Giving kids a chance to succeed is the driving force behind Angie Schwan's decade long involvement in lacrosse.
The Ladner resident, who has poured endless hours into the game in both Delta and Richmond, was among 55 volunteers from across the country to receive the prestigous Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal to honour their work.
This commemorative medal is a tangible and lasting way for the Canadian Lacrosse Association to pay tribute to those whose achievements have benefited their fellow citizens, their community, their organization and the country. It provides an opportunity to look back and recognize those who have made lacrosse what it is today.
Schwan received the medal at the recent CLA AGM in Richmond.
"I'm involved to help give kids opportunities," Schwan simply stated. "We have some excellent hybrid athletes in the commuity who are finding out what lacrosse is all about and the opportunities that come with it. I'm lucky enough to have a management position with my work to have the flexibility to help out."
When her eldest son Will began his career with the Richmond Lacrosse Association, Schwan jumped right into a volunteer position and would go on to have a leading role in organizing such high-profile events as the annual Salmon Fest Novice Tournament as well as provincial championships. When Will decided to joined the Delta Footmen field lacrosse program, she didn't hesitate to bring her enthusiasm across the Fraser River and promptly joined the executive.
The family eventually moved to Ladner when Will was in Grade 7 but he continued to play for Richmond Minor and Schwan was happy to continue her double duty.
"Delta already had a very good goalie in Matt (Keith) who was the same age as Will so it didn't make sense both would be here," explained Schwan.
Will is now wearing Delta colours after skipping intermediate to jump right in as a starter this past season with the Junior "A" Islanders at the age of 17. With Schwan's younger son Brian Larsen also playing locally, she is now actively involved with both Delta associations, as well as at the provincial level.
She is the chair of the B.C. Minor Directorate and vice-president of the Footmen.
"(The jubilee medal) was a nice surprise and it was amazing to see the other winners and just how much volunteer experience there was in the room," said Schwan who also was honoured in the fall by the B.C. Lacrosse Association.
Next year is shaping up as another busy one for Delta Lacrosse with the association given the opportunity to host the Bantam Provincial Championships in July and its popular Lax-4-Life cancer fund raiser.
Count on Schwan being front and centre of both events.
