On behalf of the entire Intramural program, we would like to say thank you for your participation in this year’s leagues, tournaments, and events. We are incredibly excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Gayton Family Award in Recreation!
Award Creation Background
Robert (Bob) Gayton was a member of the UBC Rowing team and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and was President of the Bachelor of Commerce Student Society in 1962. Bob enjoyed the time he spent participating in Intramurals while a student, and created this award to give current UBC Students extra financial support so that they have the time and opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.
The Gayton Family Award in Recreation was created to recognize UBC Students who have demonstrated leadership, sense of fair play, and active community building through long-standing participation in one or more UBC Recreation programs.
Adjudication, Awards, & Ceremony
Adjudication of the awards was done by a committee made up of Athletics & Recreation Professionals, Student Staff, and Volunteers. Eight (8) awards of $500 was distributed and presented in a ceremony held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre.
Award Recipients
Introducing the recipients of the third annual Gayton Family Award in Recreation Award! Congratulations to the eight outstanding Intramural Participants who have received this well-deserved recognition for their exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and community building in UBC Intramural programs. Keep reading to learn more about each of their unique journeys and the impact they have made.
Jasper Palov
Across multiple nominations, one thing comes up again and again; Jasper is the kind of captain who makes everything work.
He’s the one organizing sign-ups, coordinating schedules, and making sure that even when life gets busy, people still show up – not just to play, but to be part of something together.
But what really defines Jasper isn’t just the work he puts in—it’s the way he leads.
His teammates describe someone who strikes that balance between competitiveness and inclusivity. Someone who wants to win, absolutely, but never at the expense of making others feel welcome. He creates an environment where people feel valued, regardless of their experience, and where everyone is encouraged to step into the game.
One teammate shared that Jasper has trusted less experienced players in game-deciding moments: tied games, seconds left – not because he had to, but because he believes in building confidence. And that kind of trust sticks with people.
Others spoke about the tone he sets: keeping things positive during tough games, cracking jokes to keep things light, and even making sure his team thanks the referees after a difficult loss.
And over time, that leadership has done more than just build strong teams, including a basketball championship and a top-seeded flag football team. It’s built a community. One that keeps people coming back because of how it feels to be part of it.
Sofina Johnson
When you read through Sof’s nominations, what stands out isn’t just what they do, it’s how many people they’ve connected along the way.
Yes, Sof leads in the women’s ice hockey league, and also plays in the open tier. More importantly, they’ve become a cornerstone of that entire community. From recruiting new players to helping develop new goalies, they’ve played a huge role in growing the game itself.
But what really stands out is how they show up for people.
Their teammates describe someone who knows everyone by name, who is constantly encouraging, and who is always willing to step in, whether that’s helping a teammate get to practice or organizing time together off the ice.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Sof is known across teams—supporting others, offering help when it’s needed, even stepping in if another team is short a goalie. That kind of openness creates something bigger than just a roster. It builds a community where people feel supported, no matter where they are.
And at the center of all of it is the energy they bring.
A genuine passion, a constant positivity, and a joy for the game that makes every experience better for those around them.
Sof, your impact is felt across this entire league, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved.
Joshua Heuchert
The following winner’s presence in intramurals is hard to miss, Josh Heuchert.
To give you a sense, Josh is currently on six teams.
But what his teammates emphasize isn’t the number, it’s the consistency.
For five years, Josh has been a constant. Showing up week after week, leading teams, organizing logistics, and creating spaces where people feel welcomed and supported.
His teammates describe a captain who prioritizes fairness and inclusion, someone who makes sure everyone gets their time, encourages teammates through mistakes, and creates opportunities for people who are brand new to sport.
One teammate shared that they joined his ultimate frisbee team with no experience, and immediately felt comfortable and encouraged. And that’s something that comes up again and again. Josh doesn’t just build teams, he builds confidence.
Nowhere is that clearer than with the Timbits, his soccer team since first year.
Over five years, he led them through tough losses and near-wins, before finally winning a championship last term. But even then, his teammates were quick to point out: it wasn’t the win that mattered most. It was everything that came with it: the friendships, the routines, the sense of belonging.
Josh is also someone who brings people into recreation, encouraging them to try new things, supporting them through that first step, and often jumping in right alongside them.
He leads without needing the spotlight – just by showing up, working hard, and lifting others up around him.
April Qin
Across her nominations, April is described as the driving force behind recreation in Environmental Engineering.
As Sports Representative, she didn’t just organize intramurals, she made participation accessible, consistent, and exciting. She handled registrations, communicated opportunities, and ensured that people always knew how to get involved.
And because of that, her faculty didn’t just participate – they showed up everywhere.
From intramural leagues to Icebreaker, where they placed first, to Longboat and Storm the Wall, her peers consistently credit April for getting them there.
But beyond the scale of what she organized, what stands out is how she supported people along the way.
Her teammates describe someone who is thoughtful, prepared, and always one step ahead; someone who has a plan, and a backup plan. But also someone who is consistently encouraging, positive, and invested in the experience of others.
As a volleyball captain, she brings that same energy to the court, competing hard while lifting up those around her.
And over time, that leadership has built something lasting – a stronger, more connected community within her program.
Myra Thadani
Across every nomination, there’s a clear theme with Myra Thadani: she makes every space she’s part of better.
Over the past four years, she’s been involved in nearly every corner of UBC Recreation: intramural basketball, Longboat, Great Trek, Gladiators, while also contributing as both an intramural referee and a member of the operations staff.
But what makes Myra stand out isn’t just how much she does, it’s the way she carries herself in all of those spaces.
Her teammates describe someone who is steady, encouraging, and deeply supportive. Someone who celebrates others, lifts people up in difficult moments, and makes sure everyone feels included.
There’s a sense of calm confidence she brings – a quiet “we’ve got this” energy that people naturally gravitate toward.
And that carries into her leadership.
As a captain, she creates an environment where people feel safe to participate, to improve, and to enjoy the game. She leads with fairness and integrity. One teammate even shared that she chose to enforce a penalty on her own team to keep a game fair.
Beyond her own teams, her impact extends to the broader community. As a referee and staff member, she helps create spaces where students feel welcomed, respected, and excited to participate.
Her impact isn’t loud, but it’s consistent, genuine, and deeply felt.
Myra, your leadership and presence have shaped this community in meaningful ways, congratulations.
Hunter Lang
Next, we recognize Hunter Lang.
For the past three years, Hunter has been the captain of her law school’s intramural soccer team, Torts Illustrated, and by all accounts, she’s the reason the team functions as well as it does.
She’s the one coordinating availability, managing schedules, and ensuring that even with the demands of law school, her team consistently shows up.
But what stands out most is the environment she creates.
Her teammates describe someone who leads with fairness, respect, and strong communication, someone who makes sure every player feels included, regardless of their experience.
And that matters.
Because for many of her peers, intramurals provide an important outlet – a chance to step away from the intensity of law school and connect with others. And that sense of community exists because Hunter has made it a priority.
She’s also someone who leads by example, participating across multiple sports, showing up consistently, and setting the standard for what it means to be a great teammate.
It’s no surprise that she’s been named valedictorian – her ability to bring people together clearly extends beyond intramurals.
Kate Lendrum
Kate’s story starts in a dining hall: walking up to people she barely knew and asking a simple question: “Do you want to play?”
That’s how her ultimate frisbee team started.
No tryouts, no expectations, just a willingness to bring people together. From there, she organized the team, handled registration, and even made sure they had matching camo jerseys.
But what really made that team special was the energy she brought to it.
Her teammates describe someone who is constantly encouraging, inclusive, and full of enthusiasm – the first to hype up her team, the first to connect with opponents, and the first to make sure everyone feels part of the experience.
And then she did it all over again.
This term, moving into flag football, she built another team the same way – bringing together new people and creating new connections.
And that same energy carries into everything she does.
From Kinesiology events, to recruiting for Storm the Wall, to training for a half marathon. Kate is always finding ways to get people involved and excited to participate.
But what stands out most is the individual impact she has.
One teammate shared that Kate helped them feel welcome at UBC during a time when they were still finding their place and that really says everything.
Kate, your ability to bring people together and create joy through sport makes this recognition incredibly well deserved.
Hamzah Tajbhai
Across all of these nominations, one thing stands out right away: Hamzah is someone who truly defines what it means to be an intramural participant.
From his very first year, Hamzah didn’t just join teams, he built them. He’s the person scrolling through free agent lists, reaching out to players who don’t have a team yet, and making sure no one gets left on the sidelines. Because for him, intramurals has never just been about playing, it’s about making sure as many people as possible get to be part of it.
As a teammate and captain, Hamzah creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. It doesn’t matter your skill level or experience, he makes sure you’re involved, supported, and enjoying the game. Even as one of the strongest players on the field, he never makes it about himself. Instead, he lifts others up, encourages them, and helps them find confidence in their own game.
What really stands out is how much he values the experience of others. He’ll join multiple teams, play across different tiers, and show up game after game – not for personal accolades, but because he knows how much these moments matter to the people around him. For many, intramurals is where friendships are formed and confidence is built, and Hamzah goes out of his way to make that happen.
Even when faced with challenges like playing through injury or balancing everything else that comes with student life, he continues to show up. Whether it’s supporting teammates from the sidelines, organizing teams, or just being there when someone needs it, he is constantly putting his community first.
At his core, Hamzah leads through inclusion, energy, and genuine care for others. He understands that intramurals is about more than competition, it’s about connection, belonging, and shared experience. And he embodies that every time he steps on the field.
Hamzah doesn’t just play intramurals – he makes it better for everyone around him.
And for that, he is incredibly deserving of this recognition.
