2008 Honourees’ Biographies
Andrea Neil – Athlete
Born on October 26th, 1971 in Vancouver, Andrea Neil has been a pioneering
soccer player on the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s soccer team and has
represented the Canadian Women’s National team in more games than any other
player. Her personal athletic achievement and her leadership in the development
of women’s soccer in Canada make her a true pioneer among women in the
sport.
Neil began her international soccer career at the age of 19 in a match against
Jamaica. Since her debut she has achieved numerous successes including being
one of only three Canadians to hit the 100 mark in games played.
While playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in October 2003, Neil was named
player/assistant coach. This move paid immediate results with the Whitecaps
winning the USL W-League championship for the first time in 2004.
As a member of the senior team for 18 years, Neil played in countless
tournaments including the 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups, the 1991 and
1994 CONCACAF Championships, the 2004 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying
Tournament and the 2000, 2002 and 2006 Gold Cups.
Neil epitomizes the meaning of teamwork. She has been referred to as a
selfless, invaluable asset to the team who is always ready and willing to help staff
and players by adopting and promoting new ideas. Her relentless commitment to
women’s soccer in Canada has been evident throughout her career.
Andrea played her last international match on September 15, 2007 against
Ghana during the FIFA Women’s World Cup where Canada won 4-1. At the
announcement of her retirement in December 2007, she was crowned Canada’s
most decorated player, earning 132 caps at the International level of soccer and
fifth all-time in international goals scored with a number of 24.
Andrea Neil was also a member of the Thunderbirds soccer team while at UBC
where she earned her degree in Human Kinetics.
Tricia Smith – Athlete, Builder
Tricia Smith is a true inspiration to women in sport. She has made a significant
contribution to the sport of rowing in BC through her own accomplishments as an
athlete, and by aiding others in achieving their goals.
Born in Vancouver in 1957, Smith was already a noted swimmer competing at
the national level before she joined the Vancouver Rowing Club in 1974. She
remained a respected member and leader of the National Rowing team for 13
years. Smith started her Olympic career at the 1976 Olympic Summer Games,
the first-ever Olympic regatta for women. She is the only athlete in UBC history
to have been selected to represent Canada at four Olympic Games 1976, 1980,
1984 and 1988.
During her career, Tricia achieved numerous successes in international rowing
regattas; West Germany (Gold 1976 & 1977, Bronze 1979), Amsterdam (Gold
1980, & 1988), Vichy (Bronze 1982), Moscow (Silver 1982, Gold 1983) and East
German International (Bronze 1984). Her rowing achievements earned her
induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and UBC Sports Hall of
Fame.
Smith is a lawyer and is a partner at Barnescraig & Associates. She sits on many
committees and boards that help young athletes achieve success. She has
served as a member of UBC’s Athletic Committee and as president of the UBC
Alumni Association.
Smith is the first Canadian woman to receive the honour of being appointed to
the Women’s Commission of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron
(FISA), the international rowing federation based in Switzerland. Her work with
FISA has been revolutionary in providing opportunities for girls and women in
sport and recreation. She is now Chair of the Committee and a member of the
Executive of FISA.
In 2005 Tricia Smith was elected to the Canadian Olympic Committee Executive
Committee and was appointed the Chef de Mission of Canada’s team for the
2007 Pan American Games.
Roberta “Bobbie” Ann Steen (1946 to 1995) – Builder/Advocate
Roberta Steen was a dedicated teacher, coach, volunteer, sport and recreation
administrator. Her passion as a leader and advocate for women in sport is
unparalleled.
Bobbie was a founding member of ProMOTION Plus and from 1988 to 1991, an
active volunteer and ultimately the Executive Director of the organization.
ProMOTION Plus is a non-profit organization which promotes access and
opportunity in sport and physical activity on behalf of women and girls in BC.
During her years with ProMOTION Plus, Bobbie convinced the provincial
government to fund the organization outside of the Sport and Recreation Branch,
a decision which ensured the organization’s autonomy. ProMOTION Plus was
the first provincial sport advocacy organization for women and remains one of
only three in Canada.
Her involvement with the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women
in Sport and Physical Activity began in 1989 with election to the Board of
Directors, proudly representing British Columbia and the Yukon. She became
chair of CAAWS in 1991 and under her leadership and vision CAAWS quickly
grew to be a vibrant organization with a full-time Executive Director and Project
Coordinator, part-time Communications Consultant, and Gender Equity
Consultant.
Bobbie Steen was a tireless innovator, leader and advocate for women in sport
provincially, nationally and internationally. She secured project funding for
innovative initiatives such as the highly successful 1994 Commonwealth Games
Women in Coaching “Shadow” program, developing a harassment policy which
still serves as a model for sport organizations today. Her successful lobbying
produced more sport events for women, and her work resulted in the gender
equity breakthroughs that characterized the 1994 Commonwealth Games and its
future policies. She was instrumental in the development of sport criteria for the
BC Summer and Winter Games, successfully negotiating a written commitment
not only to equity, but to a child care policy for coaches and athletes participating
in the Games.
Roberta Steen became a sought-after presenter at a wide variety of conferences
and went on to represent Canada in that capacity at International conferences in
Australia, the United States, and Great Britain.
Her contribution as a volunteer, administrator and advocate has earned her the
respect and admiration of her peers and the sport and recreation communities of
British Columbia, Canada and Internationally. She remains an inspiration and
role model for those who aspire to create change and achieve excellence in sport
and physical activity.