The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Victoria are proud to announce that first-year Vikes men's rugby player Lachlan "Lockie" Kratz is the 2019 recipient of the Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award. 

The graduate from Oak Bay has represented Canada on the rugby pitch at the Youth Commonwealth Games, as a member of the U18 team that helped qualify Canada for the Youth Olympics. He also participated in the Rugby World High School Sevens Championships in New Zealand, all while maintaining a grade point average above 80 per cent.

"Lockie has been a part of the B.C. Rugby age-grade programs since he was 13 years old," said Vikes men's rugby head coach Doug Tate. "He has won a provincial high school championship and also made the Canada under 20 team as a grade 12 student. He is very talented for his age and has had a great transition into university both as an athlete and a student."

The Bate Family Award is given to undergraduate students entering the University of Victoria directly from a secondary school in the Greater Victoria region and who competes on a Vikes varsity team. Recipients are selected based on work ethic, commitment and performance.

David Bate, whose family supported the creation of the endowed award, believes it is important to support his alma mater.

"The University of Victoria needs the financial firepower and community platform to attract local athletes to its teams," said Bate. "Hopefully this award marks the beginning of a greater opportunity for local kids to get a world-class education while playing on varsity teams at UVic. And, hopefully, their contributions help these teams perform well and enhance Victoria's long legacy of athletic achievements that continues to make Victoria one of the best communities to live in, in the world."

Kratz is pursuing a career as an entrepreneur and is currently enrolled in the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria. 

"I believe that the practical education option to specialize in entrepreneurship and the hands-on-learning opportunities I will get at UVic will help me to explore all my career options and allow me to make informed decisions," said Kratz.

Kratz is gearing up for his first competition with the Rugby Canada U-20 squad as he plans to travel to Portugal over his reading week.

"After our trip to Portugal, there will be a month-long training camp at Shawnigan Lake School to prepare us for the qualifying games against the United States," adds Kratz. "If we are able to pull out a couple of wins against our neighbours to the south then we will qualify for the World Cup Trophy in Brazil in July of 2019." 

Victoria enjoys a stellar sports history and celebrates the many athletes, teams and builders who have contributed to that history. The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame honours these people in their displays at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (2500 Blanshard St.) through Gate Three.


Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award – Past recipients
2017-18: Shaye Tudor, Rugby, Claremont Secondary
2016-17: Brayden Tate, Rugby, Oak Bay High
2015-16: Harbir Sidhu, Field Hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary
2014-15: Michael Baart, Soccer, St. Michaels University School
2013-14: Stepanie Polomark, Rowing, Belmont Senior Secondary
2012-13: Sarah Douglas, Soccer, Glenlyon Norfolk School
2011-12: Patrick Psotka, Track, Oak Bay High
2010-11: Julia Schmidt, Swimming, Lambrick Park Secondary