Urban Rec is run and organized by a crack team of full time staff including Steve Laing, Chris McNally, Dale Matsuda, Rob Stewart, Michelle Lazar, Nazim Hasham and Sarah Louise Hole.
In addition to the full time staff, Urban Rec employs between 15-45 event coordinators at various event venues to help make sure that everyone is having a great time out there.
Here is a little more about each of our full time staff.
Chris McNally, Managing Partner - Chris founded Max Fun Sports & Entertainment in 2001 and quickly established it as a top notch sports and social club with a creative flair for new events and a participant focus. In 2003 Chris partnered with Steve Laing to bring Max Fun to the next level, which they did when in 2004 Max Fun Merged with Vancouver Sport.com to form what is today known as Urban Rec. Chris is a life long sports fan and very active in a variety of sports. He holds a B.A.Sc and an MBA from UBC and is married to his wife Amanda and has two children Jacob and Penelope.
Steve Laing, Managing Partner: A managing partner of Urban Rec, Steve has worked extensively at both UBC and SFU in the Recreation and Athletics departments organizing and executing special events, tournaments and sporting leagues. He has had experience with such international events as the Air Canada Championship Golf Tournament and several international collegiate sporting championships in swimming & track and field. In addition to Urban Rec, he also operates a timing and results services company called Winning Time Canada. Steve is a graduate of UBC.
Neil McKinnon, President Emeritus: Neil founded the Vancouver Sport & Social Club in 1994 with when he saw a need for recreational coed sporting opportunities for adults in Vancouver. In 1996 Neil helped formed the Sport & Social Clubs of Canada, which currently has branches in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. Over the next 10 years Neil steadily built the organization to include a multitude of sports and worked with third party groups to create the Urban Beach concept which is a cornerstone of the Urban Rec Model. In 2004 Vancouversport.com merged with Max Fun to become Urban Rec, of which Neil is now president emeritus. Neil is an active Triathlete and in 2005 completed his 1st Ironman race. Neil is married to his wife Sian and they have a son Lachlan.
Michelle Lazar, Events & Sponsor Servicing: Michelle, less formally known as "Lazer", is back with the Urban Rec Team after a 2 year hiatus. The former Urban Beach Manager gained invaluable experience working as the UBC Rec Events Coordinator where she was responsible for the planning and execution of a wide range of special events
Michelle's educational pursuits in cell biology and medicine have taken a back seat to her newly discovered passion for event planning and an exciting future developing the Urban Rec Events Portfolio. Michelle holds a Bsc. from UBC
Rob Stewart, Manager Finance & Administration: "Big Rob" is known to almost all Urban Rec participants. As a former event coordinator, Rob has seen almost all aspects of the Urban Rec experience. He is now repsonsible for all the behind the scene work that helps create the Urban Rec experience. You can also see Rob at various volleyball, dodgeball and softball leagues throughout the year. Rob is presently pursing his accounting degree at Douglas College and is not married.
Sarah Louise Hole, Social Scene & Public Relations: Sarah, originally from Alberta, comes to the Urban Rec Team after spending the last 2 years living and working in NYC, where Sarah was working in Public Relations and Event Planning. Her experience includes work in the Fashion industry, Sports world, lifestyles and entertainment as well as the promotional arena's.
Sarah's sense of style and energy are sure to give the Urban Rec Social Scene all it can handle. Look for Sarah at UR Social Events year round. Sarah holds a B.A. from the University of Alberta
Dale Matsuda, League Manager/ Director of Hockey Operations:
Dale joins us after spending the previous 5 years in Japan teaching and coaching volleyball. An avid sports enthusiast, Dale enjoys participating in a variety of sports, including hockey, volleyball, and golf amongst others. Dale's previous experience at the University of British Columbia provides him with an ideal background for taking Urban Rec Leagues and events to the next level. You can see Dale at all of our venues throughout the year. Dale is also a graduate of UBC (B.Sc.).
Amanda McNally, Events & Program Manager: Amanda leads the Urban Rec Charity events and social events division. Amanda's background in hospitality management and early Childhood education provides her with the perfect mix of skills to plan Urban Rec events. A graduate of Carleton University, Amanda is also responsible for engaging Urban Rec into relationships with worthwhile charitable endeavors. Having worked with groups such as the CIBC Run for the Cure and 24 Hour Relay Lions Society for Children with Disabilities in her community initiatives role as well as the Mark James Group in Hospitality Management, Amanda brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position and is a great asset to organization. Amanda is married to Chris and they have a son Jacob and a daughter Penelope.
Nazim Hasham, League & Events Manager: Naz as his friends call him joins the Urban Rec Full time ranks after a very successful season as the Urban Beach Manager after several years as an event coordinator at Beach Volleyball and a stint with Bell Canada.
A self professed man of leisure, not to mention hard core Canucks fan, Naz brings a positive attitude and unbridled enthusiasm to the Urban Rec Team! Look for Naz at your league night, special event or party. Naz is a graduate of York University
