At a very young 77 years of age Alf Rutten of Vernon and wife Grace are active in the Vernon senior sports scene. Alf is a life-long proponent of, and participant in, team sport. Emigrating from his native Holland in 1953, Alf found solace in his work and sport in Canada. The soccer skills he brought with him warranted a starting position with the North Shore United of the Pacific Coast Soccer League in Vancouver. That opportunity took him to Winnipeg in 1954 and Montreal in 1957 for the Canadian Soccer Championships. It wasn't long before he picked up a hockey stick to learn to play Canada's national game and become a skilled opponent. Alf now plays Senior Oldtimer Hockey at the Priest Valley Arena in Vernon three times weekly. While both Alf and Grace are avid cyclists, Alf builds, and they paddle their own custom-built kayaks. The entire Rutten family from Grandpa to grandchildren love the lake and their ability to kayak in Grandpa's boats. As if that busy schedule wouldn't keep any other couple busy enough - not so with the Ruttens. They also extend their love of boats and the lake by participating in the Okanagan Quality Life Society that offers stay-at-home seniors and the physically and mentally challenged boating excursions on Okanogan Lake in the Society's 24-foot houseboat. Alf is a volunteer boat Captain and Grace keeps the books for the society.


It makes me tired just thinking of doing half of what these two seniors do. Keep up the good work Alf and Grace. You are indeed a sterling example of active seniors involved in active sports while leading interesting lives.

2005-04    Jerry Flaman   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it