Award Bio – Roald Thompson

ROALD THOMPSON

• 1990 Ivan Velan Award Recipient

(from Racquetball Canada Archives. Source: Canadian Racquetball, vol. 5, no. 4, 1990, written by Siobhan Williams)

Roald Thompson of Regina, Saskatchewan, was presented with the prestigious Ivan Velan Award at this year’s Senior National Championships.

He has dedicated a large part of his life to the sport of racquetball. He has competed in local, provincial, national and international events. Roald has also been actively involved in the development of the sport of racquetball through administration, coaching and officiating with the Saskatchewan Racquetball Association, Racquetball Canada, Regina YMCA and the Canada Games.

He has consistently placed first and second in events such as the Canadian National Open and Closed and the United States Open.

In 1984 he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Unfortunately in 1987 and 1988 Roald was forced out of the game due to major surgery on both his knees; however, with his strong desire, dedication and love for the sport of racquetball, Roald not only recovered through a gruelling rehabilitation program but returned to win the Golden Masters in 1989 at the Canadian Senior National Championships.

Biography Update

• Thompson was inducted into the Racquetball Canada Hall of Fame in the Builder category in 2019.