On Tuesday, November 4, the Delta Board of Education held a recognition ceremony to honour several community volunteers and express its heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and commitment within our district and community.
"The generosity, compassion, and willingness of these volunteers to give their time has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, staff, and families," said Joe Muego, Board Chair. "These volunteers embody the spirit of community and play an essential role in creating welcoming and enriching learning environments where every learner can thrive. We are truly grateful for the positive impact they have made and for the invaluable support they continue to provide to the Delta School District."
Left to right: Jaskaran Dhanda (North Delta Secondary Athletic Director), Lucky Toor, Barb Aven, Mankaran Dhanda, Bill Edwards, Vlad Nikic (Vice Principal at North Delta Secondary)
Below are the community volunteers that were honoured at the event:
Barb Aven
The legendary badminton coach has served at North Delta Secondary School for more than 35 years! During that time, her teams have consistently qualified for Fraser Valleys and Provincials, and her players regularly earn top honours at the Delta District Championships. Her dedication and passion for badminton are unmatched. She has also contributed beyond the school level, serving as the Lower Fraser Valley Badminton Coordinator for several years and helping to run the Delta District Badminton Championships for decades.
Onkar Bahia
A 1993 graduate of Delta Secondary, Onkar has dedicated a tremendous amount of time to athletics, particularly girls' basketball. As a co-founder of the NDBA, his vision has been to help develop the basketball skills of North Delta's youth, enabling them to achieve greater success throughout their high school athletic careers. This year, Onkar coached the Grade 8 girls basketball team at North Delta to a Delta District Championship. We are very grateful for Onkar's ongoing commitment and contributions to North Delta Athletics.
Bill Edwards
An icon in high school basketball, Bill has accomplished everything in BC Boys Basketball. After retiring as a teacher in 2007, he continued to give back to the basketball community as both a referee and a coach. His most recent successes include winning the BC Boys 3A Basketball Provincial Championship in 2019 and capturing the Fraser Valley and South Fraser Championships in 2018, 2023, and 2024. Simply put, Bill is in a league of his own, commanding the respect of both his peers and his student-athletes.
Mankaran Dhanda
Coaching since 2011, Mankaran holds the unique distinction of having been a player or coach for all five teams that have ever qualified for the BC Provincials at Delview Secondary. More recently, he has been coaching at North Delta Secondary, where he helped guide the Grade 8 boys basketball team to a Delta District Championship and a fifth-place finish at the South Fraser Championships. Mankaran recently completed his dissertation courses to become a lawyer and plans to continue giving back to the basketball community by coaching the upcoming Grade 8 boys team at North Delta.
Jim Sidhu
Jim Sidhu has been coaching at Seaquam Secondary School since 2018 and has been an essential part of the success of the girls' basketball program. Working alongside Lucky Toor, Jim has helped lead the teams to multiple South Fraser Valley titles and Provincial Championships, including two consecutive Provincial wins a first in Delta history! Jim brings a calm, steady presence to the team and is known for his positivity and ability to connect with players. He goes above and beyond to support the athletes, not only in their development as basketball players but also as individuals. Jim's dedication, teamwork, and genuine care for the students make him an invaluable part of the Seaquam community.
Lucky Toor
Lucky Toor has been volunteering as a basketball coach at Seaquam Secondary School since 2016 and has played a huge role in building the girls' basketball program into one of the most successful in Delta's history. As head coach, Lucky has guided his teams to multiple South Fraser Valley Championships and back-to-back Provincial Championships, something no Delta basketball team had ever achieved before. His commitment, passion, and positive approach have made a lasting impact on the athletes he coaches. Lucky's ability to motivate players to reach their full potential while maintaining a supportive and encouraging environment truly sets him apart. The time and dedication he gives to his players and the program go far beyond the court, and the relationships he's built with his athletes have made a lasting difference in their lives.
