The CJFL Life Member Award is saved for an individual that has contributed a great deal to their team, their Conference and to the CJFL as a whole. On this International Women’s Day, today’s Life Member honouree has done all that and more.  

Judith Tucker becomes the first woman in history to receive a CJFL Life Member award.

Her passion for junior football has been infectious since she joined the South Fraser Rams (now the Langley Rams) in 2005 as the team’s secretary dealing with registration.  She instantly became a huge asset to the Rams, was extremely organized and tenacious turning them into one of the best registration teams across the country.

Just two seasons later Judith joined the BC Conference as a Director at Large assisting with the 50/50 draw.  This fundraiser is one of the most important to the Conference and helps all six teams financially.  She held this position until the beginning of the 2010 season when she took on a greater task as the BC Conference registrar.   She has taken pride in this role keeping teams in line when it comes to registering players correctly.  

A year later (2011) Judith decided to not limit her skills and talents to just the BC Conference and took on the role as the CJFL registrar.  Today not a player across the country registers to play without Judith knowing who he is and what team is has committed to.

At the Canadian Bowl that season in Hamilton, Judith decided to take on another project and organized the “Women in Football luncheon.”  At that time there were several women a part of the CJFL either at the team or Conference level.  Judith took the initiative and brought everyone together for a lunch of comparing notes, networking and sharing ideas.

In 2012 Judith received an incredible honour by the BC Conference being named the Ken Smith Executive of the Year for her tremendous volunteering at the Conference level.  "Judy is such a value to a league like ours,” says BC Conference President Tyler McLaren. “She brings a lot of organization and experience to our group, and loves our great sport. She cares about our league and teams, and always keeps the house in order."

“Without Judith part of the CJFL, I’m not sure where we would be,” said Commissioner Jim Pankovich.  “Her experience at all levels of junior football is second to none and she truly cares about getting our players and coaches registered correctly, setting them up for success on the field.  The CJFL cannot thank Judith enough for her commitment to excellence.”

Judith has continued her role with the CJFL throughout this pandemic and has developed new ideas to make the registration process even easier for players and coaches going forward.  The ideas will be put into action this season as players prepare for 2021.

For all the long volunteer hours Judith has put into the CJFL, the BC Conference and early on with the Rams, the CJFL is proud to honour her, on this International Women’s Day with a Life Member Award. 

Congratulations Judith!