JIM SHIELDS  1930- 1993

Jim Shields was born and raised in Saskatoon, Sask. it was there that Jim first started Speed Skating with the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club.  As a skater in his teens and early twenties Jim enjoyed the competition and  loved the friendships and adventures that he shared with fellow skaters, while skating outdoors during the freezing prairie winters.

After being posted to Esquimalt with the Royal Canadian Navy, he started the Esquimalt Speed Skating Club in 1966.  The following year Jim won the Canadian Senior Men's Short track championship.  Over the years, Jim devoted much of his time to coaching speed skating and developing community sports.  He worked tirelessly to ensure that every girl and boy had the opportunity to play the sport they chose.

His love and dedication to the sport of Speed Skating was felt by all who knew him.  He had a unique and honest approach towards coaching his skaters, his encouragement was inspiring and his sense of humor was never ending.  During his coaching that lasted over 27 years, he was B.C. provincial coach for 12 years, and coached 3 Canada Winter Games teams.  Several of Jim's skaters went on to compete at the World and Olympic levels.  On a family level, Jim also took immense pride in coaching and watching the skating careers of his own children David and Brenda.  Which saw David compete in World Championships, and both David and Brenda win several National Championships and compete on Canada's National Teams.

     During Jim's coaching career he was recognized by the Canadian Amateur Speed Skating Association for Coaching Excellence, awarded Victoria's Sportsman of the Year, Provincial coach of the Year and Victoria's Distinguished Service Award.  And in 1993, Jim was awarded the Governor Generals 125th Commerative Medal of Confederation for Service to Canada and the sports community.

     Jim was well known for his sense of humor and dedication to fair competition, and for this he was very well respected in the community.  He had a positive influence on all of his skaters over the years and was a coach that the skaters considered to be a true friend, both on and off the ice.

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