A year after receiving the Order of Canada, Crescent Beach resident Bev Boys – a longtime diving instructor and judge – will be honoured by the province of British Columbia.
Along with 15 other residents, Boys, the founder and manager of South Surrey-White Rock Divers, will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the province announced Tuesday.
The Order of B.C. is the province’s highest form of recognition, said Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, and recognizes “exceptional individuals whose hard work, generosity of spirit and outstanding achievements have contributed immeasurably to the well-being of our communities.”
Boys is a three-time Olympic diver, having competed in 1968, ‘72 and ‘76. She is also a 34-time national champion, and has won multiple medals at both Pan-Am and Commonwealth Games.
Since her retirement from competitive diving, the Pickering, Ont. native has been a coach and international diving judge.
In addition to her 2015 Order of Canada nomination and this month’s Order of B.C. honour, Boys is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Sports Officials Canada Hall of Fame. In 2013, Sports Officials Canada named her official of the year.
Boys is the only Order of B.C. recipient from south of the Fraser; the 15 others come from Victoria, Vancouver and New Westminster.
The Order of B.C. ceremony will be held July 26 in Victoria.