Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

KAMLOOPS SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Important figures in the local sports world inducted into Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame

Apr 8, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame has added another three people and one more team. The induction was held Saturday (April 6), when the 1972-73 North Kamloops Kinsmen hockey team was honoured along with builders and athletes Randy Nelson, Jim Roode and KJ Klontz.

KJ Klontz is a longtime athlete and sports advocate. She’s best know for organizing and playing women’s hockey when it was in its infancy in Kamloops.

“Women’s hockey went from pioneers to professionals. We went from grassroots to Olympic gold university scholarships. It’s amazing how far women have progressed in sport,” she said at the event. “Coaching kids, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, and track and field gave me insight to the importance of being a positive role model. These athletes are our future.”

Former Kamloops Minor Hockey president Jim Roode was also honoured. Roode came to the country from South Africa, fell in love with hockey and served nearly 20 years on the board of KMHA.

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Roode passed away in April of 2023. On Saturday, his son Kevin spoke on his behalf.

“Jim would say […] ‘Do something, make a difference. Be the change.’ I watched my father do this. He went from scheduling ice time to various other duties through minor hockey that were quite honestly way beyond my scope. I watched my mom and dad lead by example.”

The third individual honoured was Randy Nelson. A championship curler and long distance runner, he was not in attendance as he was competing in an event in Ontario. His son received the award on his behalf.

This year’s team induction was the 1972-73 North Kamloops Kinsmen, which was the first Kamloops team to earn a medal in the inaugural Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey tournament.

It was a night to celebrate.

“Most of us here have been involved in sport in one way or the other. But the common theme is that we’re all out there having fun, being the best that we can be in the activities that we love,” said Klontz.