I don’t remember saying to myself “I want to be a recreation professional,” but I do remember a moment when I knew I was in the right field.

During my youth, I worked as a park leader. We were running a park program to engage kids in play. One of the children who came to the park almost every day always came on his own. He helped the staff prepare crafts, setup games, and encouraged other kids to play. At the end of the summer, his parent expressed their thanks for the attention he had received and the sense of belonging he now felt. We didn’t know they were new to the community, and that our program had helped him make the connections and build the confidence he needed to start school in the fall. I recall knowing that I was part of something much more than “fun and games,” and it made me proud.

I’ve had the privilege of working with many amazing people over the years! They’ve taught me the fundamentals of our sector, about being a civil servant, about leadership, and believing in others. My mentors believed in me; they gave me opportunities (some good and some more character building) that I still draw on today.

My mom worked at the local rec centre.  After soccer practice I would ride my bike to meet her and watch the rest of the lacrosse games for the night.  It was pure joy being in that energy.  When she had to work Saturday mornings I would tag along and attend hockey drop-in for 4 hours!!!  Being at the local centre was just a normal part of my childhood.

Upon graduating from University my mom advised me not to work for the municipality as there was a glass ceiling for women; she also introduced me to the community development coordinator who offered me a volunteer opportunity. I started to help and then was offered a job.

I thought it was not possible to love what I was doing and make a living. I took the job and found it was my dream job programming for youth and seniors. Every job since has been my dream job and now I find myself making a living at what I just naturally fell into. 

Glass ceiling smashed!!

Just before I graduated from University, I was encouraged to apply for a programming position….. “Why would I do that”, I said, “You’ll never hire me!” I was assured I should apply and shortly thereafter became an Aquatic Programmer. I knew that I loved working with people and seeing how the patrons thrived as a result of the programs. I had no idea what a rewarding career I had fallen into and the impact that we make on our communities. I’m thankful to my dear friend and mentor for seeing my potential and taking many leaps of faith in me.

I did not take a traditional path into the recreation profession, but rather fell (or dove) into it after lifeguarding my way through my B.Sc. Biology undergrad degree. My recreation pursuits began with casual roles in both aquatics and summers spent as a day camp leader. Although I thoroughly enjoyed these opportunities, at that time they were a means to an end – to achieve my education.

When I completed my undergrad a fulltime opportunity in recreation presented itself. Less than three years into my work experience, I then landed a new role that changed my focus from program delivery to community development, reinforcing my love and desire to be a recreation professional. I found myself with a mentor who challenged and pushed me through a variety of experiences, and the community engagement work solidified my passion!

In hindsight I can now see how my early opportunities in recreation played a much larger part to engage and inspire me than I was able to see at the time, and how my early role models shaped what has become a truly fulfilling career.

Growing up, I spent most of my time in the water either training with my swim club or with friends at the lake. At that age I had no idea that my love for the water would turn into a part-time job in aquatics, followed by a lifelong career in recreation. The flexibility of my different positions in aquatics supported me to complete a business degree, that at the time, I thought would take me down a different career path. Instead, my education and experience opened new doors in recreation including arena programming, community recreation, special events, and even community parks and trail development. I had no idea there were so many different and possible roles and responsibilities when I first started down this path, but the variety has served to keep my work exciting and new. After 20 years in the community recreation field I am still excited to see what my next adventure will be.

It was in my second year of UVic working towards a degree in Computer Science when a friend starting talking about the degree he was working on in Leisure Service Administration. I had absolutely no idea one could make a living “recreating” and I was enthralled. I had always been extremely active in sports and coaching, and I loved the outdoors, so I looked into it. I took a few REC courses as electives the next year to try it out and it was OK at best, except for a course I took with Dr. Doug Nichols. His way of teaching, his passion, and his enthusiasm for recreation infected me and I was hooked. After that course, I moved “all in” to the highly lucrative field of recreation full-time and dropped that computer science dream that was obviously not going to pay nearly as well!! 😉

It is safe to say that I have always enjoyed working in positions that help keep people active, smiling and having fun. In the world of local government my story is definitely unique. The professional opportunities that have come my way have all felt like a perfect fit based on the timing in my life. With that, one opportunity has stumbled into another.  

Growing and building my knowledge through 14 years of ski resort marketing, events and media relations, I found it time to seek out something new but surprisingly very similar. When the opportunity to step into the position as Manager of Recreation Services for the Town of Golden I jumped in, tackled the challenge and didn’t look back.

There are so many great things about this field that continuously motivate me to do more. Helping provide a positive impact on the quality of life in my own community is a pretty amazing role to have and it keeps me motivated to do more and help others get involved.

As a youth I spent countless hours at the local community centre playing hockey, tennis and swimming. During this period, I gained a true respect for those individuals who worked and supported the community in recreation and sport. My first job was a skate shop attendant at the age of 14 and I never looked back from there, working as a skating instructor, summer camp leader, even spending time in facility maintenance. 

As my passion for this sector has grown, I challenged myself as a business owner operating a hockey school for a number of years, and even managing ice rinks in the private sector. I have realized my passion was in serving the community and was one of those lucky individuals to know what I wanted to do as a career at such a young age. Even today I go to work and feel I am the luckiest person to continue to do a job I love.

My family always valued and supported recreation, physical activity and community involvement, so a natural goal for my career was to ‘not work behind a desk’, be part of teams and add value to community life.  An older brother was finishing a degree in Recreation Administration which fit with my goal so I followed. No regrets….not ever!

With a career leading provincial organizations at the executive level, Rebecca Tunnacliffe is best known for her engaging, inspirational and creative leadership style. Rebecca’s reputation is built upon a long-standing and tenacious commitment to advancing the vision of organizations and the interests of their constituents. Her strategic and tactical approach to administration elicits greatness from individuals and teams alike.

As CEO of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association, her focus has included broadening relationships within provincial government and other sector partners, strengthening and engaging Association members, increasing funding and program opportunities, and creating a high-performance and inspired team culture at the board and staff level.

In her former position as CEO of the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia, Rebecca raised the profile of the profession and the voice of the professionals. Membership quadrupled in her term, member services deepened and diversified, and members considered her a role-model of leadership. Similarly, in her position as the first Chief Staff Officer with the University Women’s Club, Rebecca established a strategic plan with operational goals that both met and anticipated members’ interests.

Rebecca holds a Master of English degree from Queen’s University, worked in publishing, and as an Associate Producer for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She can often be found cycling, enjoying her yurt, or exploring the parks and trails around her home on Bowen Island.

The CEO's Third Thursday Missives are sent monthly to BCRPA Members by email. They can be found here (Members-only resource).

We feel it is important to recognize those whose dedication and hard work have helped lay the foundations for our excellence.