As the school year winds down, two more award recipients were recently announced by the West Central Athletics Association.

The Official of the Year award was granted to Kim Sobkowicz from Outlook and the Service Award recipient was Will Johnson from Biggar.

Sobkowicz is the vice principal at Outlook High School, however, he has also spent a great deal of time officiating numerous sports over the years and has become considered an expert by many.

“Kim is a very high-level official in basketball, football, volleyball, he’s also a very high-level hockey official in our province,” said Lance Morrison, president of the West Central High School Athletic Association. Sobkowicz also shares his knowledge of hockey officiating at clinics, as well as, going to watch other officials throughout the province to provide feedback.

Morrison stated the district is very lucky to have Sobkowicz and he adds a great deal of value to the sports programs throughout the year.

The second award recently announced was the Service Award and was presented to Will Johnson, a teacher and multi-sport coach out of Biggar.

The Service Award is a volunteer award and is said to be the highest award given our by the West Central District. The criteria for the award includes west-central district involvement, school level involvement and community involvement, all of which Johnson has lent numerous hours to over the last 28 years of coaching in Biggar.

The list of sports Johnson has coached over the years is extensive including:
• cross country
• volleyball
• basketball
• badminton
• track and field
• community soccer
• community t-ball

Of all the sports teams Johnson has led, he shared basketball is his favourite sport to coach but regardless of the sport, it feels good to give back and help out where it’s needed.

“It needs to be done, I volunteer my time for the kids cause they like it and it makes life better for them and I enjoy it, hopefully too, they are better off for it after we’re done,” said Johnson

He said the award was unexpected but shared it felt good to be recognized for the hours put in.

Photo's of Will Johnson with a couple of his teams and athletes he has coached over the years (Photo: Kim Johnson)