Since the end of 2023, Richmond Sentinel has highlighted past inductees and their journey into the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame. In this edition, we look at the sports contributions of the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame, Class of 2016, the inaugural group of inductees since the establishment of the program.

Avril Douglas – Track and Field

Avril Douglas began living in Richmond in 1970, she joined the Richmond Kajaks Track and Field Club in 1988 as a runner, and trained vigorously, she would have her first competitive race in 1989. Between 1989 and 2001, Avril held three world records and 12 Canadian records, while looking after two children and working 12-hour shifts. She captured the silver medal in the 800m and bronze in the 400m category at the 1993 World Masters Athletics Championship in Miyazaki Japan. She was named BC Masters Athlete of the Year from 1990 to 1992, and BC Athletics Master’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1991,1992, and 1994. In 2000, she was named Outstanding Female Athlete at the Canadian National Championships, and Richmond Kajaks’ Master’s Female Athlete of the Year. In 2011, she was inducted into the Canadian Masters Hall of Fame. During her athletic career, she has also held three world records in the 200m and 400m at age 55, and 800m at age 47.

Betty Hedges – Swimming

As a young athlete, Betty had developed a love for the sport of swimming, but because of World War II, what could have been a promising swimming career was cut short. She would move to Richmond with her husband and fellow Richmond Sports Wall of Fame inductee, Dennis Hedges, in 1947. She and Dennis would go onto actively help create the Richmond Swim Club that is now known as the Kigoos Swim Club. In addition to being one of the founders of the swim club, she would go onto use her past experience as a swimmer to coach others. In 1967, one of the athletes she coached, Bob Thomas would go onto win a bronze provincial medal in Victoria. Betty Hedges, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2005 at the age of 83, the efforts she put into improving the Richmond Swim Club will continue to be remembered by the City of Richmond.

Dennis Hedges – Swimming

In 1947, Dennis immigrated to Richmond from the UK with his wife. He helped develop the Richmond Swimming Club and the Richmond Juvenile Soccer Association. In addition to being a co-founder and founder of these clubs, Dennis was also very involved with the development of the teams. He was a coach for the youth soccer team and was the equipment manager and chief announcer at every swim meet. Between 1967 and 1971, he was the manager for the Richmond Inter-City Junior Team, in 1971 he would have the chance to manage and coach the Vancouver Inter-City Junior All-Stars team. In 1968, the Richmond Juvenile Soccer Association made him an honorary life member, three years later he was named Richmond Sportsman of the Year in 1971. 

Don Fennell – Athletics

Many people in the sports world in Richmond know of Don Fennell. He was a sports reporter and sports editor at the Richmond Review for 25 years from 1990 to 2015. After the Richmond Review closed down, Don would join the Richmond Sentinel as a sports reporter and later added Editor to his credentials until he retired. It was because of Don’s dedication and hardwork to local sports that many athletes of all levels were able to get recognized. Don spent countless hours at local rinks, pools, diamonds, tracks, gymnasiums, and sports fields building connections with athletes, coaches, and sports organizations. In his honour, the Richmond Sports Awards named an award after him for his endless promotion of local community sports.

Gwen McFarlan – Track and Field 

Gwen McFarlan first became a Richmond resident in 1966, she participated in her first marathon at the age of 60 in 1994 and the rest was history. In 2001, Gwen joined Kajaks Track and Field Club constantly running 10K races during the weekend. In 2009 at the age of 75, Gwen broke the world record for time set by someone age 75, finishing the Vancouver Marathon with a time of 3:57.30, and the Victoria Half Marathon with a time of 1:50.0. Between 2001 to 2012, Gwen has run 18 marathons, each time qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and volunteered her own time throughout the city. Between 2009 and 2014, Gwen was named Richmond Kajaks Master Athlete of the year six times and BC Master Athlete of the Year twice in 2010 and 2012. In 2009, Gwen won gold at the B.C. Senior Games in the 3000m and set Canadian records in the 5000m and 10000m races. In 2014, at the Ottawa Marathon she achieved a world record time set by someone age 80 with a time of 4:12.43. In the 2016 Senior Games, she captured five gold medals.

Jason Jordan  –  Soccer

Jason Jordan was born and raised in Richmond on May 30, 1978. He attended Richmond High and played soccer for their team and Richmond Soccer. He represented Canada at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in 1996. In 2002, he turned down a contract opportunity from the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS) in order to remain with the Vancouver Whitecaps. At the time, the Whitecaps were part of the United Soccer League (USL). In 2005, Jason scored 17 goals for the team and was named USL Most Valuable Player, and USL All League First Team. He was also named Whitecaps Player of the Year and received the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot, awarded to the club’s leading scorer of that season. The Whitecaps captured the 2006 and 2008 USL Championships. He retired in 2008 and has since taken on the role of founding technical director of Fusion Football Club and Vancouver Football Club.

Jim Donaldson – Rugby

Jim Donaldson is regarded as one of the most decorated players to ever play Rugby in Richmond. Jim joined the Richmond Rugby Club in 1969 and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) from 1971 to 1986. He was also the representative player for BC’s Provincial Rugby team, during that same period his team would capture ten Canadian Championships. From 1978 to 1986, Jim also represented Canada a total of 30 times, 13 of which were full international matches. While also competing with the Richmond Rugby Club, Jim was also a part of a Fraser Valley Rugby Union where he was named MVP from 1982 to 1984. In addition to playing rugby, he also coached the sport for 12 years at the Richmond Rugby Club and amassed a total of 20 years coaching experience at local schools. He’s coached Hugh Boyd’s senior boys basketball team and Cambie Secondary School’s rugby and girls basketball team.

Jim Lamond – Athletics

The late Jim Lamond was a pillar of sport in Richmond, having been a long-time resident and a member of the Richmond Sports Council. He frequently volunteered his time to sports in Richmond for over 40 years as a coach, administrator, chairman, and board member. Jim started off as a coach, board member, and referee at South Arm Soccer Club from 1970 to 1976. He then joined the Richmond Youth Soccer Association and took on the roles of coach, board member, and vice chair from 1976 to 1980, he was named chair in 1980 until 1989. From 1989 to 1999, Jim stepped down from his role as a referee, but remained a board member and chair from 1992 to 1999. He would elevate to the national team, taking on the role of board member and chair of the competitions committee from 1999 to 2003. Through his dedication to community sport, Jim was named a lifetime member by Richmond Youth Soccer Association, BC Soccer Association, and Richmond Sports Council.