The inaugural ‘BC’ Brother Charles High Jump Medal has been awarded to Sonny Edwards from Maleny State School following his efforts at the 2022 Primary School Glasshouse District Track and Field Carnival held at Beerwah State High School.
Brother Charles was a treasured member of the Glasshouse District Primary School Sport Association for over 30 years.
Sadly, BC passed away in January this year after a battle with Pancreatic Cancer that he bravely fought for just over a year.
Brother Charles loved Sport- especially Soccer, Softball and Track And Field.
He loved coaching sport – and did much of this in his own time on a voluntary basis without payment.
BC also coached students in High Jump with many athletes coming from Brisbane in the south to Noosa in the north and was inspired many athletes to overcomes their ‘saggy butt disease’. He loved inventing things for sport like the ‘shot put returner’ and the Coach’s Eye IPAD finish line holder.
BC’s generous heart inspired generations of students in our District and his knowledge, skill and good humour supported the staff within it as well. BC’s enormous contributions inspired the Sports Committee to create the ‘Annual High Jump Medal’ to honour the legacy he leaves behind.
This medal will be awarded each year to the student whose winning height is closest to their respective age group record.
This year, the medal was awarded to 11-year-old Sonny Edwards from Maleny and was presented by BC’s sister – Sister Anne.
Sonny’s winning height not only won him the BC High Jump medal but also helped Sonny to amass more points to secure the 11 years boys Age Champion Medallion as well. Sonny now heads to the Sunshine Coast University in September for the Regional Track and Field Championships.
The shield for the winning school was also re-named the “Glasshouse District Sports “BC” [Brother Charles] Highest Aggregate Points’ shield. This year the Shield was awarded to Glasshouse Christian College who were victorious in a tough field of 13 other Primary schools in our District. The ‘Highest Average Points’ shield [for the winning school per head of student population] was won by St Michael’s College – BC’s family home and beloved school. Special thanks to Rod Eccles from TFM awards in Beerwah for his help in creating the shield and medal.
Brother Charles’ big sporting heart extends beyond our district too. At a Regional School Sport level, BC has coached sports such as Cross Country and Softball, spending the last 11 years as a Track and Field Coach – earning him a Regional Silver Service award.
Not only has he officiated at State Track and Field titles, but he has provided over 20 years of service to the Australian Track and Field Association and in the year 2000, BC earned the Australian Sports medal for his service to sport. Most recently, he was awarded Life Membership at Caboolture Little Athletics Assoication and in 2019, BC was awarded Sunshine Coast School Sport Regional Life Membership.
The skill, knowledge, expertise and history of the District that BC brought to all athletes and lovers of sport in our area is his legacy and is an invaluable contribution to sport.
BC infused his passion and love of sport into our lives and another perhaps more important lesson – to be kind to others with a big generous heart. His legacy will continue to live on in the lives of the children that BC coached and in turn in the generations to come.
