Florell tries on B.C. Games award

Haley Florell isn’t just a great two-sport athlete.

She’s a humanitarian who wants to make this earth a better place.

After playing for the Zone 8 girls rugby team in the B.C. Summer Games last weekend in Cowichan Valley the Prince George secondary school student was called to the stage at the Games closing ceremonies. Florell was selected for the Cariboo-North East outstanding leadership award.

Florell also competed this year at the national level in wrestling.

The award is based on her outstanding achievements in both sports, her academic performance at the Engage Sport North sport school at UNBC and her willingness to volunteer.

The 17-year-old native of Mackenzie put in more than 200 volunteer hours with the Junior Polar Wrestling Club and also helped run the Learn to Wrestle and Rookie Rugby Learn to Play programs Westwood elementary. Florell served as assistant coach with the PGSS junior boys volleyball team and is an instructor with the Alpine Riders Horse Club Kids Camp in Mackenzie.

“I choose to volunteer and be involved in leadership activities as I want to share the love of sports and the importance of being active,” said Florell, in her application for the award.

In April, Florell won a silver medal in the under-19 women’s 80kg freestyle wrestling competition at the Canadian championships in Edmonton. In August 2017 at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg she placed fourth in wrestling.

The B.C. Games award is worth $500 to be used for tuition fees at a college or university tuition. Florell will be back at PGSS for Grade 12 studies in September.