“We learn from each other. We can learn from everyone”.
This was the philosophy of a man nicknamed “Yoda” by his students.
A way of life that continues despite his passing last year.
“In honour of Silvio Sboto, we have established two annual scholarships for athletes (from the Brandon Seikeikan Judo Club) to attend judo at the Legion Athletic Camp,” said Darcy Parrott, 48, of the scholarships named for Sboto, founder of the Seikeikan Judo Club located in Brandon, Manitoba.
”Silvio lived for judo and gave it everything and expected nothing in return. As part of his wish he wanted people instead of donating to cancer (Sboto died of pancreatic cancer May 29, 2004) to donate to the club with the intent of using the money to help develop kids and give them a chance to attend this camp.
“For kids that may not have the financial support and for kids who could benefit from the camp.”
Judo became an integral part of the Legion Athletic Camp in 1987 and Sboto, along with countless other volunteers, have assisted in unlocking the age of enthusiasm in a multitude of young athletes.
The 44th Legion Athletic Camp, which offers 10 sports over a six-week period in July and August, has had more than 33,000 athletes benefit from the various sport programs since 1962.
“Silvio believed in this (Legion Athletic Camp) and always spoke highly of it,” stated Parrott, a member of the Brandon club since 1998 and also part of the 2005 Legion coaching staff.
At the time of his passing, Sboto, then 65, was chair of the National Coaching Certification Program of Judo Canada and a national ‘C’ referee in judo.
He had reached 5th degree black belt status.
“He wanted everyone to do their best and enjoy themselves in judo,” said Parrott.
Two athletes “doing their best” are Brandon judokas Everett Magee, 11, and Andrew Norman, nine, the inaugural recipients of the Sboto Memorial Scholarship.
“Both boys have been with the club a long time and have been trying their best,” said Parrott of the two youngsters. “They try their best at all times and have progressed at their own speed. This week (August 7-13, 2005) has been good for them. They have been eager. Here they have had a chance to learn from some of the best (Winnipeg's Mark Berger, 1984 Olympic bronze medallist men’s heavyweight and Fedor Lazarenko, former European bronze medallist and member of the Soviet national team who is present day Judo Saskatchewan provincial coach).
"It has been an intense exposure to judo for them and they have also met other athletes and competed against other athletes their own age.”
Norman, a student at Brandon’s Betty Gibson Elementary, said he has learned “plenty” at camp.
“It’s been good and fun. I learned some new chokes and some arm bars. I hope to come back again,” said a smiling Norman, a yellow belt holder.
Sboto has had several other tributes in his honour and the Legion Athletic Camp scholarships are to be annual concluded Parrott.
For more information on the Sboto Memorial Scholarship or local judo contact Parrott at 724-5095.
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