Arriving in Bowden in 1998 from Montreal, Bowden's Don Stoesz immediately made a big difference to the Central Alberta community.
First, he is the chaplain at the Bowden Institution, and secondly he has passed on his love of soccer to hundreds of young people, a passion he first developed on the streets of Montreal.
And now his efforts to help the young on the soccer field are being properly rewarded.
The Alberta Soccer Association is awarding Stoesz its Shield of Merit, presented to the individual who has displayed a lifetime of outstanding contribution to the grand old game.
"Don has such incredible knowledge of the sport of soccer and he keeps us growing as an association. He is a wonderful person who is always willing to lend a hand and he is the one who maintains our fields," said Karen Fagan, president of the Bowden Minor Soccer Association. "Don is encouraging and a great mentor for both the board and all the kids who he coaches and teaches as referees."
Soccer, however, was not always a passion for the 57-year-old ordained Mennonite minister. In fact, as a kid he wanted no part of it.
"I hated soccer when I was young. I thought it was silly," said Stoesz." But as soon as my kids were growing up I saw that the access was easy and that you don't need a lot of skills.
"I'd show up at a soccer field in Montreal on a Saturday morning and there would be 500 kids on the field with 20 teams playing," he added. " I saw that it was a user-friendly sport, not like lacrosse or others. There is less physical contact."
Shortly after arriving in Bowden he met Rick and Barb Nowek. They had started a soccer program in Bowden a few years earlier. Soon the trio formalized the Bowden Minor Soccer Association, creating healthy athletic competition for girls and boys from the ages of four right up to 18. The soccer program became so popular it soon boasted a membership of more than 130. Today it is still at a healthy 60 young male and female members.
For well over a decade Stoesz coached, taught and guided referees in Bowden and surrounding communities.
He is credited for promoting soccer in all ages, leading teams to championship games and continuing to be a driving force on the association board.
Stoesz and the Noweks essentially ran the program until two years ago but Stoesz is still actively involved. He is still a referee, maintains the fields and even stores equipment in his garage. He also remains active on the association board.
In the meantime, he referees soccer games for the inmates at the Bowden Institution. It is a task that is especially rewarding for Stoesz.
"It is not just a pickup sort of game," he said. "The inmates love the opportunity."
As for the reward from the provincial association, Stoesz is clearly humbled.
"I am really honoured, honoured to be a part of it," he said.
Stoesz will be presented with the Shield of Merit award at a special banquet in Edmonton on Jan. 21.
