UNIVERSAL ATHLETICS CLUB
PROFILES of EXCELLENCE
Universal Athletics Club develops engaged youth through track and field .
It ’ s easy to watch the news and blame today ’ s youth for problems , but Jessie Dosanjh , Head Coach of Universal Athletics Club ( UAC ), doesn ’ t see things that way .
Together with family and friends , Jessie started the track and field club 14 years ago to give youth a place to learn skills , have fun and grow into responsible , productive adults .
“ Sports was in our family ,” Jessie said . “ Someone gave it to us and we want to give it back . I put my best time into helping the kids in the club . We welcome all youth .”
Practicing primarily at North Surrey Secondary School , UAC is 100 members strong and is affiliated with Athletics Canada and BC Athletics . By adopting the programs of these organizations , UAC offers skillsbased programs from seven-year-olds up to masters level .
Sprinting , jumping and throwing make up the core of track and field skills , but Jessie and his team add another element : fun .
“ If they don ’ t have fun , they aren ’ t going to come back ,” Jessie noted . “ That ’ s what Junior Development is – developing skills while having fun .”
Jessie credits his team of nine experienced coaches with ensuring fun is at the core , but parents are also welcome to get involved with the club in a variety of ways .
“ Without everyone ’ s involvement and support , we cannot do anything ,” noted Jessie who has been staff with BC Athletics Provincial Teams and BC team coach for the 2010 and 2013 Youth National Championships .
The club also organizes annual banquets to honour great athletes and celebrate community sport . Past speakers have included Olympians Dylan Armstrong , Gary Reed , Robert Esmie and Jessie ’ s uncle Balbir Singh Dosanjh .
UAC has an enviable reputation : the club produced eight 2013 BC award winners from the Junior Development programs ; the first female Indo-Canadian BC track and field athlete to become a Youth National Champion came from UAC ; a female UAC member was chosen to represent Canada at the 2013 World University Games , and ; four club members earned bronze medals at the 2013 Youth National Championship in the 4 x 400m category .
“ We never thought it was going to be this big ,” said Jessie . “ Kids need the opportunity to develop skills . I appeal to the whole community to put your kids in track and field if they want to compete in any sport .”
Each child receives individual training , but it ’ s not complex . Jessie feels simplicity , fun and interaction with other youth makes the program effective .
“ We have a fun program trained by young coaches ,” Jessie noted . “ We teach overall skills then bring in the specific coaches for jumping , throwing , sprinting and more .”
UAC also provides coaching education and certification , leadership development , officials , skills development , cultivation of club volunteers and a thriving board of directors . The club hosted the athletics portion of the 2012 BC Summer Games and was recognized as the best volunteers in the history of the event . Club members will join the staff team for the 2014 games .
“ If we can do something for others , we ’ ve done something in this life ,” he added . “ Our club saying is , if you can not do great things , do small things in a great way .”
“ If they don ’ t have fun , they aren ’ t going to come back . That ’ s what Junior Development is – developing skills while having fun .”
– Jessie Dosanjh , Head Coach of Universal Athletics Club
8585 132 ST SURREY , BC TEL 604-763-4232 WEB UNIVERSALATHLETICS . CA photo : The track at North Surrey Secondary is like a home away from home for Jessie Dosanjh , Head Coach of Universal Athletics Club .
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