The timing is perfect.

At a time when Canadian women's basketball is reaching for new heights, a foundation of its success will receive one of the country's highest honours.

Kathy Shields, who led the SWNT and is one of the greatest coaches in Canadian university history, is being appointed to the Order of Canada, recognizing her contributions as an athlete and coach who has fostered the development of womenâ??s basketball in Canada.

A native of West Vancouver, B.C, Shields coached Victoria to eight CIS/CIAU championships and guided Canada to a seventh-place finish at the 1994 FIBA World Championships.

During an historic 22-year tenure at the helm of the Vikes' women's basketball program, Shields compiled a 320-50 regular season record and her teams won 14 Canada West titles, while she was named Canada West Coach of the Year on nine occasions.

Shields was head coach of the SWNT for four years beginning in 1992, following two stints as an assistant coach, from 1980-84 and again from 1989 to 1992. The SWNT finished fourth at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

In 2003 Shields was inducted into Canada Basketballs Hall of Fame. She's also enshrined the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Shields received the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal in 2003 and received the 3M Coaching Award for Excellence upon her 2000 retirement.

As a player, Shields won back-to-back CIAU titles with Laurentian in 1974 and 1975, and was a member of the national team. Her coaching career began at Victoria in 1979.

Today, the SWNT is enjoying unprecedented success. After winning gold at both the Pan-American Games and FIBA Americas Championship last summer, Team Canada is one of the top medal contenders for the upcoming Rio Olympic Games.

Shields was among 113 new appointments to the Order of Canada that Governor General David Johnston recently announced. Appointments were made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. One of the country's highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Recipients will be celebrated at a ceremony later this year

You can hear from Kathy at the 2016 EGIC Women in Sport Social on Saturday night!

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