Elkford’s Terry Vandale awarded by BC Sports Hall of Fame

Elkford’s own Terry Vandale has been honoured for her many years of service to the sport of curling in B.C.

Vandale was a recipient of the BC Sports Hall of Fame’s Eric Whitehead Inspired Service Award in October.

She said she was “totally blown away” by the nomination and the award, and that it was surreal for her.

“It was overwhelming,” Vandale said.

The award ceremony, which was held virtually from the Surrey Arts Centre on Oct. 7, saw the same award also given to five others. The award recognizes inspired service in and to sport in British Columbia.

Vandale’s interest in the sport began after she moved to Elkford from Calgary in 1982. She met her husband, who was a curler, and that’s how she got into it, she said.

“I always had a goal of being in the competitive end of curling, but in the officiating area.”

She developed multiple sclerosis (MS) at 23 years old, and got into coaching and umpiring.

“It became a love for me.”

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Vandale has a long curling career that began in 1986, and she has been named a Life Member of Curl BC for her years of service, which has included time as vice president of Curl BC.

She said that “curling is a sport for life, from five to 100.” Her daughter, Trysta Vandale, has also been heavily involved in the sport, and “got into it because she lived at the rink with me while I was coaching,” she said.

It’s a fun, social thing to do, she said, adding that it doesn’t always have to be competitive. It’s a “great sport” to get into, and the Elkford Curling Centre has a “great facility to help bring new curlers in.”

“Whatever aspect you want to get into in curling. Like I say, it can be from a young age to an older age, and be lots of fun. There’s always a way. Right now, for me, it’s in a wheelchair,” Vandale said.

There will be a formal presentation of the award to Vandale in Elkford in the spring.

She said winning the award was “pretty humbling.”

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