Cross Country Grand Prix Registration is Open

The Valley Royals is excited for another year of Grand Prix fun. Join us for these three cross country races for grades 4 to 8 students, at 3:45pm in Clearbrook Park, Abbotsford.
  • Wednesday, September 27
  • Wednesday, October 4
  • Wednesday, October 11
$10 per athlete (covers all three races)
Registration deadline EXTENDED: September 25, 2023
 
See the Grand Prix Package for all the details: 2023 Grand Prix Package
 
Teachers, register your school teams on Trackie: https://trackie.com/event/2023ValleyRoyalsGrandPrixXC

Michael (Mike) Clarke Inman (October 28, 1945 – August 20, 2023)

Sadly, we are announcing the passing of Michael Inman, a devoted husband and family man, a successful business entrepreneur, and a person that, during time served as president of the Valley Royals Track Club, establish a solid financial base and direction for the club.

An outstanding athlete himself, Mike excelled in sports such as basketball and football. He played a leadership role on the 1964 Abbotsford Secondary basketball team that placed second in the provincial championship tournament of that year and was selected to the tournament second all star team.

Mike became involved with the Valley Royals when his daughter Courtney, as a 14 year old, became a member of the Royals. Courtney progressed to become a provincial high school champion at 800 metres, leading middle distance runner and a hall of famer at the University of Washington. Upon her university graduation, Courtey became a member of the Canadian Cross Country team that won a medal at the World Championships.

During his tenure as President of the Valley Royals, Mike secured a number of influential sponsors for the club, such as Lafarge Limited. During the years that Lafarge was a North American firm, Lafarge made yearly sizable donations to the Royals in a  partnership that seemed to benefit both the company and the club.

The methods and positive personality that Mike utilized to become a successful business executive were those that he put in motion while president of the Royals. Through his background as an excellent athlete in his youth and still an active competitor in master’s basketball, fastball, and skiing well into his fifties, he understood the value of competitive sport. Mike called upon his many contacts to make it possible for the Valley Royals to become both a competitive sports club and a promotion of worthwhile events, such as the Canadian Track and Field Championships that were held in Abbotsford.

The Valley Royals remain, until this day, one of the leader volunteer oriented sports clubs in Canada and definitely the contributions by persons such as Mike Inman have made this possible.

Royals Canadian Champions

Seven athletes from our Valley Royals distance group represented Team BC this past weekend at the Canadian Championships in Sherbrooke Quebec. Running against the best competition our Nation had to offer they represented us in a spectacular fashion. These big hearted and immensely talented young people rose to the occasion in every instance. After a very successful season at the provincial level in 2022, the goal set a year ago by these athletes was to make an impact at the Mari

National level this season. Without exception they achieved and exceeded this goal.

I cannot express how proud I am of these exceptional young people for having the courage, commitment, and strength of character to turn their dreams into reality. – Coach Scott

Results Valley Royals Distance Group Canadian Championships

1) Will Van Schagen (in conjunction with Coach Trevor’s sprint group)
Canadian Champion U18 400m Hurdles

2) Riley Simmonds
Canadian Champion 1500m S/C

3) Mark Molina
Canadian Silver Medalist U18 1500m and Bronze Medalist U18 800m

4) Zoe Unger
Canadian Silver Medalist U18 2000m Steeplechase

5) Adrianna Buitelaar
Canadian Bronze Medalist 2000m

6) Sam May
Canadian Bronze Medalist U18 2000m Steeplechase

7) Maggie Epp
4th in Canada U16 800m