PHOTOS: Abbotsford Coach Ryan McWhinney Recognized by Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame
Abbotsford School District teacher and coach Ryan McWhinney was recognized with the Coaching Sports Hall of Fame Award at the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame banquet recently.
The award recognizes coaches who have made a significant impact in high school and community sports.
McWhinney began teaching in the Abbotsford School District in 2003 at Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School and has coached every year since. Over the past 23 years, he has helped build rugby programs across Abbotsford schools, creating opportunities for thousands of student athletes to participate in sports.
During his time at W.A. Fraser Middle School, McWhinney helped lead teams to six Grade 8 rugby championships and one junior championship while consistently building strong participation numbers for both boys and girls rugby. Since moving to Abbotsford Senior Secondary, he has continued growing student involvement in rugby and football while supporting programs through fundraising and alumni engagement.
In addition to school athletics, McWhinney has coached club and regional rugby teams that have won multiple BC Championships. Many of his former players have gone on to become coaches themselves, reflecting the lasting impact he has had on student athletes in Abbotsford and beyond.
The evening also celebrated Youth Hall of Fame student athletes from the Abbotsford School District, including:
- Skippers: Jessica Skidmore, Brighton Andrews, Clara Thiessen, Leya Meloche, Ainsley Ferraro, and Zoe Hartman
- Baseball: Austin Meinen
- Track and Field: Cassius Armitstead and Logan Sutherland
- Softball: Kailey Ross
- Football: Callum Pambrun-Perry, Max Pratt, and Elijah Black
- Basketball: Taige Roberts
- Rugby: Amber Vallance and Claudia Vallance
- U16 Rugby Club Championship Team
- U18 Girls Rugby Club Championship Team
- Junior Boys Rugby Championship: Dom Tapparo
The banquet also recognized several Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame inductees, including Jim Gordon, Martin Reid, and Chase Wouters.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Ross Siemens, Abbotsford Board of Education Chair Stan Petersen, and Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame President Doug Primrose.
