A foundation honouring the memory of former local football coach Bryan James has taken root in the Lower Mainland, and has partnered with the Surrey/White Rock chapter of KidSport BC.
Last week, the Bryan James Memorial Foundation made its first donation – a cheque for $1,200 – to Malik Dillon, the chair of KidSport’s local chapter.
The contribution was a combination of donations from family and friends, as well as National Bank Financial, where James worked alongside his brother, Jordan.
“We have had a lot of support,” Jordan said.
James, 32 , died suddenly in early December, after collapsing, due to heart complications, at a company Christmas party.
He was a longtime football coach with both the White Rock-South Surrey Titans association and also at Earl Marriott Secondary.
“Sports was Bryan’s passion, but even more than playing sports himself, his passion was coaching kids,” Jordan said. “He had a special gift to inspire kids to work hard and accomplish great things.”
The goal of the Bryan James Memorial Foundation – and KidSport BC – is to help young athletes afford to play organized sports.
According to Dillon, the Surrey/White Rock chapter helped fund sports registrations for 350 local athletes in 2011.
“We’re thrilled with what this foundation is about, and happy to partner with them,” Dillon said. “It’s tragic, what happened to Bryan, but in this way, we’re hopefully able to bring about something positive.”
Jordan said his brother’s foundation will eventually fund other initiatives in addition to working with KidSport – like sending athletes to football camps – but partnering with an established organization was a good first step.
“It’s a lot of work to get something like this up and running, so we wanted to work with KidSport while we continue to grow,” he said. “The objective is to make an impact in the community.
“Bryan was all about helping kids – he made a big impression on a lot of them – so for him, this is the least I could do.”
For more on the foundation, visit www.bryanjamesmemorialfoundation.com