The event was billed as ‘Spirit of Leadership’.

And the many students who took part in the day-long Forum, held Monday in the NK’MIP Convention Centre at Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos, certainly got a taste of leadership from the guest speakers lined up for the event.

Former NHL’er Ryan Walter, who lives in Osoyoos, Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie, Town of Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, Baldy Mountain Resort Managing Director Joey O’Brien, and Town of Osoyoos Councillor Mike Campol all addressed students during the morning session.

Campol is a Director with the Spirit of the Game Society, which helped organize Monday’s gathering.

“Why do we get kids involved in sport? The traits that you gain help create future leaders. So, I put an ask out to my board and asked if they would be willing to fund this and be part of it,” explained Campol, who also had Directors Brock Jackson and Cam Bissonnette in attendance. “They’re usually quite strict on sticking to the mandate. But it was unanimous.”

So Campol, with only about 10 days to work with, began organizing the project.

His first call was to Ryan Walter, who knows a thing or two about motivation.

Walter became the NHL’s youngest-ever captain as a Washington Capital. He went on to be an NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens, and NHLPA Vice-President and NHL Man of the Year while playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Although Walter was set to speak in Toronto Tuesday, and had to fly out Monday, he committed time to these South Okanagan students, and put together a presentation.

“What blew me away was he spent his weekend with an iphone putting together a 35-minute seminar specifically for these kids, with a workbook for them to actually work on while he was talking,” explained Campol. “His presentation was really for kids this age.”

Taking part in the Forum were Grade 7 students from Osoyoos Elementary, leadership students from Osoyoos Secondary School, and Grade 6 and 7 students from SenPokChin School in Oliver.

“Clarence was more of a motivator to me because he comes to our school a lot and teaches us about stuff. He understands us. He was talking about how he learns from us and how he teaches us as he learns from us. I think that is more of a mutual respect kind of thing,” said Kyle Kovacs, a Grade 7 student from SenPokChen. “Joey wants us to learn how to be successful, and get jobs, and learn about society before it actually happens to us.”

Kovacs, 12, was exhibiting outstanding leadership skills of his own – clearly thinking and speaking beyond his years. He offered the following story on how how Ryan Walter motivated him personally.

“He stood out to me because, he told the story about how he forgot some stuff on a plane, and that happened to my family on a trip to California,” said Kovacs. “Our family forgot some suitcases on the plane, and we were really worried about it. They called us a few days later and let us know we could come and pick up our suitcases. We were like negative future thinking. Once we got the call, we shifted. That’s what he was talking about.”

Kovacs and his classmates are already working on developing leadership skills in the classroom, so the timing of this Spirit of Leadership Forum was perfect.

“We’re thankful to be a part of this. We’ve been talking about sustainability and leaving behind ecological footprints, so the kids have taken it upon themselves to take a look at our garbage output in our school and how we can fix that. So, we’ve already started talking about leadership in our schooll,” offered Lisa Caruso, who teaches Grades 6, 7 and 8 at SPC. “We thought it was important to come and hear even more how they can become leaders and feel confident in themselves. I really loved the Shift in Thinking model Mr. Walter mentioned.”

The success of the Spirit of Leadership Forum now has the Spirit of the Game Society thinking bigger and better.

“For me it’s kinda of cool because – this was done in 10 days. If we make this an annual thing, we can do something spectacular,” summarized Campol. “The first four phone calls I made all said yes. Imagine if we went after people from outside the community to come and speak.”

Current leadership providing instruction and support for future leaders. And making winners out of everyone.

For further information on the Spirit of the Game Society, please check out: www.sotgsociety.com.

-Dale Cory