The North Cowichan-Duncan Sports Wall of Fame now has six new honourees. Celebrated every two years, the Wall of Fame recognizes individuals and teams that have made great achievements or contributed significantly to athletics locally, within the province, country, or the world. The new inductees were honoured at a ceremony on October 25:
- Michael Braithwaite – Athlete
- Joe DiLalla – Coach
- Kim Dillabaugh – Coach
- Nick Gilbert – Athlete
- Norman Jackson – Builder
- Leanne Wilkinson-Sirup – Coach
“The Sports Wall of Fame has become a celebrated tradition and a powerful reminder of the talent, dedication, and spirit that define our sports community,” said Mayor Rob Douglas. “This year’s inductees have inspired us through their achievements and contributions, and we are so proud to celebrate their legacy in sport.”
The Sports Wall of Fame is located at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre. New inductees are recognized with a bronze paver at the front entrance, as well as a plaque and electronic biography on the Wall of Fame in the lobby.
2025 Inductees
Michael Braithwaite, Athlete – Rowing
Michael Braithwaite began rowing in 2003 with the Maple Bay Rowing Club as a student at Cowichan Secondary School. He rowed with Maple Bay for two years and was named the Top Junior Male in 2005.
Michael attended the University of Toronto where he competed on the varsity rowing team. In his final season, he captained the team and was named the Canadian University Rowing Oarsman of the Year after winning the national championship in the single sculls. He won four additional national championships in the single sculls in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013.
Michael made his international debut in 2009, earning Canada its first bronze medal at the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in the single sculls. The following year, he earned a bronze medal at the World Universities Games in the single sculls.
In 2011, Michael competed at the Pan Am Games and placed 5th and 7th in the double and single sculls, respectively. In 2012, he earned a spot on Canada's Olympic team, competing in the double sculls in London, placing 12th.
In 2013 and 2014, he competed for Canada in multiple World Cups and World Championships in the quadruple sculls. At the beginning of 2015, Michael retired from the National Rowing Team.
Following three seasons of coaching at Brentwood College, Michael moved back to Toronto where he volunteers as a coach for the University of Toronto varsity rowing team.
Joe DiLalla, Coach – Softball
Joe DiLalla’s love of softball started in elementary school, inspired by his gym teacher, and former hall of fame inductee, Helen Gosnell. Joe was a lifelong champion of fastpitch softball in Duncan, dedicating decades to coaching, mentoring, and growing the sport. Despite battling significant health challenges, Joe poured his energy into the game and the players who became like family to him.
Joe’s coaching transformed girls’ fastpitch in Duncan, elevating local teams to compete, and win, against mainland opponents, while keeping top-tier talent in the community. His leadership led to multiple provincial championships and helped numerous athletes earn scholarships to postsecondary schools. He also coached midget boys, as well as the senior men’s level, securing provincial and Western Canadian gold medals.
Some highlights of Joe’s coaching career include:
- 1997, 2002 – 2006 Senior Men’s B provincial gold
- 1997 PeeWee B provincial gold
- 1998 Girls Bantam B provincial gold
- 1998 Girls Bantam Summer Games gold
- 2000 Senior Men’s A Int. Western gold
- 2006 Masters B provincial gold (player and coach)
- 2007, 2008 Midget A Boys provincial gold
Beyond the field, Joe’s commitment to the sport was unparalleled. He personally sewed team patches onto jerseys, repaired equipment, and even drove players to practices and games. He also meticulously tracked stats, hand-wrote game reports for the local newspaper to highlight his players’ successes, and attended coaching clinics to continually improve his skills.
Joe dedicated decades of his life to local fastpitch, shaping the sport in our community as both a player and a coach. His leadership, passion, and commitment not only brought success to his teams but also fostered a deep love for the game in those he mentored. Joe was a game changer on and off the field.
Kim Dillabaugh, Coach - Hockey
Kim Dillabaugh was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley where his love of hockey began at an early age. His career has taken him from playing minor hockey in Duncan, to junior hockey, and into his current role as a coach in the NHL. As a player, Kim was always a valued team member, known for his skills as well as his sportsmanship.
Kim played three seasons in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets and the Calgary Hitmen from 1994-97. In 2004, he became a goaltending and assistant coach with Kelowna, helping the team win a Memorial Cup. Over the next 10 seasons, Kim helped the Rockets win two WHL Championships (2005, 2009) before joining the LA Kings full-time in 2014.
During eight seasons working in a goaltender development role with the Kings, Kim contributed to the development of 2012 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, Jonathan Bernier, and Martin Jones, while also working with goaltenders at the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. During his tenure with the Kings organization, the team won two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) while Manchester won the Calder Cup in 2015.
Internationally, Kim served as the goalie coach for Hockey Canada’s Men’s Under 18 Team (2004 and 2006 Junior World Cup). In 2019, he earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia.
Kim participates in various charitable endeavors, both personally and with the Philadelphia Flyers. Locally he has raised funds for the MS Society. With the team, he’s helped raised money for cancer patients.
While he lives in Philadelphia, Kim returns to the Cowichan Valley each summer with his wife Bonnie and children Ellie and Westin. His ties to the community remain strong.
Nick Gilbert, Athlete – Soccer
Growing up in the Cowichan Valley, Nick Gilbert played and excelled in basketball and soccer at the junior and high school levels. Soccer quickly became his passion and he went on to play professionally, representing Canada on the world stage.
Nick first played for the national team in the 1984 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, helping Canada win a silver medal. In 1985, Nick began his professional career with the Victoria Riptides. The following year he was part of Team BC, playing five games against professional teams in the UK.
Nick continued playing in professional soccer clubs until 1993. This included being a striker for Canadian Soccer League teams in Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver. In the league’s seven years of operation, he scored 37 goals, placing him 7th on the league’s all-time scoring list. As a member of the Calgary Kickers, Nick earned a league championship and was named the league’s top scorer and MVP.
Between 1985 and 1992, Nick made 20 appearances for the Canadian national team, including playing 12 games for the senior men’s national team. In 1989, he scored three goals and won a gold medal while playing for Canada in the Francophone Games. Other career highlights include winning the 1990 Three Nations Cup, 1991 North American Nations Cup and 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Following his professional career, Nick spent a number of seasons with Victoria United in the Pacific Coast Soccer League and Victoria Athletics in the VISL, being named the league’s MVP three times.
Nick now serves as technical director for Juan de Fuca youth club.
Norm Jackson, Builder – Golf
Norm Jackson, fondly known as “Stormin” Norm Jackson, joined the Cowichan Golf and Country Club in 1990. He quickly transformed the club into a vibrant and energetic hub of activity.
Soon after arriving, Norm was named the PGA Professional of the Year in BC in 1993 and again in 2009 and 2020.
Norm also has earned many provincial and community awards
- 2015 City of Duncan’s Scroll of Honour
- 2018 Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024 recipient of the Exceptional Public Awareness (individual) award by the ALS Society of BC
- Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Trophy
As one of the most recognizable faces in the Cowichan Valley, what most don’t see is the work Norm does with individuals with disabilities and those who are apprehensive in picking up the game. The joy he receives from teaching students is truly remarkable. In his work with kids who are autistic or have Down Syndrome, he helps them take up the game in a way that creates a genuine smile on their faces.
The naming of Norm as PGA Professional of the Year on three occasions speaks to his knowledge of the game. This was highlighted by his student Callum Davidson winning the 2021 Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada and named best golfer on the Canadian PGA Tour. Norm has mentored many other young people in their golf careers, three of whom, including his son Bob, went on to senior positions in the industry. Norm also taught in the Golf Management program at Camosun College, sharing his 50 years of expertise in the game. He currently sits on the board of the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation.
Leanne Wilkinson-Sirup, Coach – Swimming
Leanne Wilkinson-Sirup has spent the last 20+ years coaching swimmers from across BC. Her coaching skills, passion for swimming and hard work have sent hundreds of swimmers to provincial, national and international competitions. In the history of the Duncan Swim Team, Leanne has coached 9 of the 11 Stingrays who competed at the Senior National level thus far – the fastest competition in Canada. Leanne has helped shape the character of young swimmers who have become confident leaders in our community.
Leanne, who is of Inuit descent, is BC’s head coach for Aboriginal Sports. In this role, she supports Indigenous youth’s access to swimming by working with many Vancouver Island First Nations communities in creating regional and provincial opportunities. She has also been instrumental in the nationwide Orange Cap initiative, coinciding with Truth and Reconciliation’s Orange Shirt Day. Proceeds fund NCCP training and mentorship for those interested in leadership through swimming.
Leanne’s accolades include:
- 1997 British Columbia Premier’s Athlete of the Year
- 2004 to present Team BC, head coach
- 2006 and 2021 Petro-Canada’s Coach of the Year for the Coaches Association of Canada and the Aboriginal Sport Circle
- 2007 to present Duncan Swim Team, head coach
- 2022 Cowichan Valley Coach of the Year
- 2023 Swim BC Coach of the Year
Leanne is an exceptional coach and accomplished athlete. She swam with the Stingrays for 13 years, competing provincially and nationally. She set many records (provincial, national) and competed for Team Canada. In 2001, Leanne became the first person to swim the length of Cowichan Lake (9hrs 17min).
Leanne’s contributions continue to be the driving force behind the local Stingrays. She not only develops young athletes but also trains young coaches in the sport. Her influence spreads across our community, province and country.