February 20/08 11:12 am - Miranda Miller Wins Premier's Athletes Award

Posted by Editoress on 02/20/08
 

Miranda Miller Wins Premier's Athletes Award



Grade 12, Howe Sound Secondary student, Miranda Miller, was one of 99 athletes recognized by the provincial government for excellence in their sporting achievements in 2006/07. In her sport of Downhill Mountain Biking, Miranda was the Junior Provincial Champion in 06 & 07, winner of the Canada Cup in 06 & 07, National Champion in 06 & 2nd in 07, and a member of the National Team at the World Championships in Fort William, Scotland 2007. During the latter race, unfortunately, she broke her collar bone instead of a record, but is now back training with her sights set on regaining her place on the National team in order to change her outcome at the Worlds in Italy in June 2007.

Recipients of The Premier's Award will have their photographs and achievements mounted on a commemorative plaque which will hang for one year in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

"I felt very lucky," said Miranda of her experience. "It was pretty humbling to see how many people my age and younger are achieving such high goals. And there are so many different sporting disciplines from table tennis to netball, judo, shooting, riding, and waterskiing."

What was particularly impressive for Miranda was the number of disabled athletes who perform to such a high level under what, to many people, are very difficult circumstances. Sledge hockey, equestrian, gymnastics, curling, basketball and many others were honoured - there were even two blind athletes who play Goalball!

As each athlete mounted the stage, a composite photograph of them 'in action' was projected onto screens on either side of the room. The sharp contrast between the genteelly dressed often almost fragile young person on the stage and the concentration, focus and strength of body & purpose displayed on the screens provided a lasting image.

"I was really pleased to have down hill recognized at this level," she added. "As it is not an Olympic sport, and, consequently receives no funding at a national level, it is important to the discipline to keep it in the limelight as much as possible in the hopes that this will change one day soon."

After the ceremony the athletes and their guests were invited by The Vancouver Board of Trade to their Countdown to 2010 luncheon.

Miller is the third Team Squamish member to receive this honour following Neal Kindree in 2005 and Meaghan Kindree in 2007.


Miranda Miller competing at MTB nationals in 2007