#YearOfYou with Tom Norton

At viaSport, we’re passionate about capturing authentic, diverse, and influential stories from all in the BC sport community. The following story is a part of our #YearOfYou series, which focuses on telling stories from individuals from varying experience levels and walks of life.

Sport is for everyone: getting involved in sport not only improves long-term health, but shapes well-rounded, resilient individuals. Participating can help you build meaningful friendships, find community, and positively shape the course of your life on and off the field. Learn more about #YearOfYou and how to start your own journey in sport here.

Tom Norton believes that sport is about more than just playing games—it’s about personal growth, community, and empowerment.

Tom’s sport journey began at just five years old in Winnipeg, where he would strap on his skates, glide across the snow-packed roads, and join his friends for outdoor hockey games in the dead of winter. Though Tom loved sports, he often felt like he was falling behind. “Up until I was 13, I was the kid who could hardly get out of his own way,” he admits.

At 13, Tom made a life-changing discovery about himself when he started participating in track and field. He quickly developed a passion for the sport, and through his dedication to training, he began to grasp the true meaning of physical literacy. It wasn’t just about running fast or jumping far; it was about acquiring the skills and mindset that form the foundation of success, both in sport and in life. As he trained with elite athletes, Tom learned that success didn’t come from natural talent alone. “They taught me that success is a result of effort, not just ability,” he reflects. These lessons in physical literacy not only made him a better athlete but also helped him build the resilience and confidence to face any challenge.

As Tom progressed in his athletic career, he realized that the coaches and mentors he had encountered were just as crucial to his growth as his own efforts. Their commitment to teaching not only technical skills but also life skills, made him want to do the same for others. “It’s about helping people become better athletes, better citizens, and better ambassadors for sport,” Tom explains.

Today, he coaches at Special Olympics Abbotsford, works with the Abbotsford Valley Royals Track and Field Club, and serves on the Coaching Association of Canada board. Through these roles, Tom is committed to promoting physical literacy and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or ability, can develop the foundational skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Throughout his career, Tom has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering positive change in his community, earning numerous accolades, including the Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteers, the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award, and recognition as Special Olympics BC’s Howard Carter Coach of the Year, as well as Special Olympics Coach of the Year in Canada and North America.

Tom’s journey has shown him firsthand how sport can shape lives. He’s witnessed how sport gives people focus, direction, and a sense of belonging. “It’s about empowerment, not just the outcome,” he says. Whether coaching at the Special Olympics World Games or working to promote coaching excellence through the Coaching Association of Canada, Tom is dedicated to making sport accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all.

Tom encourages anyone new to sport to focus on growth, not just performance. “Success comes in many forms,” he explains. “It’s not just the time on a stopwatch or the distance on a tape measure. It’s about growth and development as a person.” He also draws on the wisdom of his good friend and fellow coach Mike Lonergan, who said, “An athlete is an athlete is an athlete,” reminding newcomers that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of background or ability.