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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The contributions a Fort Simpson resident has made to sports across the North, particularly soccer and track and field, have been recognized.

Paul Stipdonk, left, of Fort Simpson, was awarded the Delma Kisoun Memorial Community Contributor Award at the Sport North Federation's 36th annual awards banquet in Yellowknife on May 25. Michael Botermans of Behchoko, right, accepted the award on Stipdonk's behalf. - photo courtesy of Deborah Stipdonk

Paul Stipdonk was awarded the Delma Kisoun Memorial Community Contributor Award at the Sport North Federation's 36th annual awards banquet in Yellowknife on May 25. Michael Botermans accepted the award on behalf of Stipdonk who was in Alberta undergoing medical treatment.

The recognition is long overdue, said Botermans, who has known Stipdonk for more than 20 years.

"There is no one more worthy of the award," Botermans said.

"I just can't say enough about him, he's remarkable."

Stipdonk first got involved in sports in the territory when he organized a soccer match between Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven) and Taloyoak (Spence Bay) in 1985 while in Gjoa Haven. He was elected to the executive board of NWT Soccer, which was then in its infancy.

Stipdonk moved to Fort Simpson in 1987. In the village, he worked with and then took over the leadership of the soccer program from Jill Robertson.

Over the years, Stipdonk has been a coach, official, tournament organizer, mentor, chaperone and bus driver, all for soccer. Stipdonk has also been a member of the executive for NWT Track and Field for approximately eight years.

Many people have a focus on youth, but Stipdonk is unique because he focuses a lot on minorities or the most vulnerable of youth. He has a special interest in smaller communities that don't have the same resources or opportunities and he has done many clinics in those communities in both NWT and Nunavut, said Botermans.

Stipdonk also has a way with youth and they gravitate toward him. He has served as a real father figure for a lot of young people, Botermans said.

Stipdonk is particularly good with youth who are shy or withdrawn or not particularly athletic. He celebrates their accomplishments even if they aren't very large, said Botermans.

"He really pumps them up," he said. "You know they're gleaming inside."

One of Stipdonk's greatest attributes is that he sees life in a very comical, light-hearted way.

"His sense of humour is in a league of its own," Botermans said.

"The man has put me in stitches more times than I can ever remember."

Stipdonk brings commitment, passion and a desire for excellence with him to sports, said Shane Thompson, who's known Stipdonk for approximately 19 years.

Sport around the NWT

He also promotes capacity building, getting people trained and certified so they have the skills to give back to the youth, said Thompson.

"He's a very strong advocate for athletes across the North," Thompson said.

Stipdonk didn't just choose one community, but instead developed athletes from around the North for the betterment of the sport, whether it was soccer or track and field, he said.

Stipdonk is also a community person, said Thompson. Even when an event isn't related to sports he often helps out without people even asking him.

Although he's retired, Stipdonk is probably working more now than he was as a teacher, said Botermans.

"The guy is unique," he said.

Deborah Stipdonk, Paul's wife, said Paul feels humbled to receive the award because there are so many people who do so much for community sports.

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