Al Wills |
Al at Cowichan for 2011 BC Outdoors |
Al in action |
A list of Al's accomplishments is nothing short of astonishing. Most recently he served as Chair of the Canadian Archery Championships, which were held here in August. Al was President of Archery Canada from 1991 to 2003. Reelected in 2009, he continues as President today. He has been International Archery Representative for Canada to World Archery since 1987. He is a member of the World Archery Committee that lobbies to include archery as a permanent sport in the Commonwealth Games. Since 1998 he has been on the Canadian Olympic Committee Board of Directors representing the sport of archery. Al was the Head Coach of the Canadian Archery Program from 1982 to 1986, and he was the 1984 Olympic Team Coach. In 1997 he was Chairman of the 39th World Championship Organizing Committee, which was the first time these championships were held in Canada.
Al was a Founding Member of the Archery Canada Foundation in 2009 whose mission is to promote the sport in Canada and provide funding for non-government projects. Over the past few decades, he has been Co-Chairman for five Canadian Archery Championships and Technical Delegate for eight Canadian Championships.
Al has been presented with many awards over the years in recognition of his contributions. Some of these are:
- Archery Canada Coach of the Year 1984
- Gold Volunteer award for services to the XIV Commonwealth Games.
- Canada 125 Medal for contribution to archery 1992
- International Archery Federation award in 1997 for outstanding contribution to International Archery
- Inaugural Archery Canada Past President's Award in 2004
- Member of the Canadian Armed Forces Sports Hall of Fame
- Life member of Archery Canada, the BC Archery Association and the Victoria Bowmen Archery Club
There is another side to the tireless efforts that Al has brought to bear in building the sport of archery. In 1998 he began researching, scanning, inputting, typing and printing the results of Canadian Championships from 1948 to the present. Although still a work in progress, the exhaustive files are now archived in the Federation of Canadian Archers national office, and in 2002 he published the first volume of the History of Canadian Archery Championships. For his work on this project and many others Al is known as Canadian Archery's historian.
Finally, Al has developed an amazing archery museum collection of bows, arrows and books. His archery book collection is arguably the largest in the world and when asked how many bows he has, he won't say because you might tell his wife. He will admit it's over 100!
SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA BOWMEN ARCHERY CLUB
The team in 1958 |
Gorge Hotel Senior Men's Softball Champions |
Gorge Hotel Senior Men's Softball Championship Crest 1956 |
This team won an unprecedented six, back to back, senior men's B.C. Championships. The amazing run began with the Cec Fletchers Senior Men's softball team winning in '54 and '55 under Manager Bob Burrows Senior. The Fletchers became the Gorge Hotel team in 1956, and the legendary Joe Bryant then managed the team as they went on to win four more BC Championships.
Under his leadership, the Gorge Hotel Men continued their winning ways year after year as they provided their many fans with thrilling victories over the Arrow Furniture team, the Chinese Students, Duncan Mayo Lumber, and United Services, among others.
The team enjoyed great stability over those years, and the roster included Ken Gunter, Jim Morrison, Corky Bryant, Ben Price, Bernie Clarkson, Ed Foychuck, Don Paulin, Jim Nelson, Chick Newman, Ab Wiebe, Gordy Jones, Verne Evans, Marc Cunningham, Fiori Goegan, Les Wilson, Barry Jackson, Stan Stewart and Archie Sluggett. Sports writer Jim Taylor wrote in the Daily Times that "Joe Bryant, the fiery coach, whose frequent and sometimes vigorous disagreements with umpires, players and fans, added interest to the league last season, is returning for his sixth year as coach and his 20th in softball. He will have quite an array of talent from which to choose." Ironically, one of Joe's best friends, Gordie Perkins, was a professional baseball umpire.
The media of the day often noted that the team's pitching was their main strength. They had four of the best in the Province and it was Ed Foychuck, Barrie Jackson, Dave Prior and Ab Wiebe who provided the fire power. Wiebe was interesting for his unorthodox semi-overhand style, and he was tossed in the first inning of an important game as the umpires ruled his delivery illegal. Foychuck, who had joined the team in 1954 as their ace, came in to the game and the team won. Foychuk and Jackson could pitch three games in a day with little difficulty. Their athletic strength and endurance combined with their gift for pitching made them two of the most formidable pitchers that an opposing batter had to face. Ed Foychuk is often remembered as the well-dressed member of the team. Les Wilson, the excellent catcher, was also a leader as a jovial character on and off the field. Gordy Jones, the outstanding athlete, rounded out a tough line-up that was a serious hitting challenge for any pitcher.
Joe Politano, co-owner of the Gorge Hotel and co-sponsor of the team, was also the team's number one fan. He made sure there was always a place to celebrate team victories with a burger and a beer.
SPONSORED BY MANN, MOULSON & COMPANY
