Provincial Annual Awards Finalists Named

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador has announced the finalists for this year’s Provincial Annual Awards. The awards will be presented during the 2013 Stars and Legends Awards Gala on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 6:30pm at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.

 

“The finalist for this year are in a league all their own,” said Rod Nichol, President, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. “These athletes have proven themselves in their sports, committing countless hours to training and competing locally, provincially and even internationally. They have helped move amateur sport along in this province and we are so proud of their accomplishments.”

 

The Provincial Annual Awards recognize the best athletic achievements in the past year in a number of categories. The eight categories are: Senior Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Junior Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Coach of the Year; Team of the Year; and Executive of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. The list of finalists can be found below and their biographies are in the backgrounder attached.

 

Ferd Hayward Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award:
Matt Beer (Downhill Mountain Bike), Ciaran Hearn (Rugby), Jason Hill (Softball)

 

Elizabeth Swan Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award:
Malorie Harris (Soccer), Katarina Roxon (Swimming), Kiersten VanGulick (Rowing)

 

Joe Mullins Junior Male Athlete of the Year Award:
Owen Daly (Swimming), Nathan Noel (Hockey), Myles Vincent (Baseball)

 

Margaret Davis Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award:
Jillian Forsey (Athletics), Hannah Jardine (Basketball), Catherine Silotch (Swimming)

 

John Drinkwater Coach of the Year Award:
John Hill (Softball), Jeff Kirk (Softball), Noel “Jake” Stanford (Soccer)

 

Graham Snow Executive of the Year Award:
Jack Lee (Hockey), Robert Morgan (Baseball), Pat Wells (Soccer)

 

Edward Browne Team of the Year Award:
3 Cheers Pub (Softball), Kelly’s Pub (Softball), Under 18 Girls Soccer (Soccer)

 

Frank W. Graham Volunteer of the Year Award:
Richard Haywood (Soccer), Lindsay Rayner (Gymnastics), Bruce Watson (Golf)

 

This year, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is again combining two major events – the Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Awards Ceremony and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – into one celebration, the Stars and Legends Awards Gala.

 

“The Stars and Legends Awards Gala is a time to honour our athletes and take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous sporting achievements made in our province,” said Mr. Nichol. “We are so proud of these individuals and we are thrilled to present them with this honour.”

 

Tickets for this year’s Stars and Legends Awards Gala are available for purchase by contacting Sport Newfoundland and Labrador by phone at (709) 576-4932 or by email at sportnl@sportnl.ca. To learn more information about this year’s Gala, please visit http://www.starsandlegends.ca/.

 

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is a volunteer organization committed to the promotion and advancement of amateur sport throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Backgrounder

 

 

Matt Beer, of St. John’s, is currently ranked Canadian (47th overall of 706 riders) internationally by the UCI (Union Cycliste International) and 53rd overall in World Cup Series. Matt finished first in the Men’s Elite Division of the Canadian National Downhill Championship. He became the FIRST ever cyclist from this province to ever win a National title. Matt also competed IXS European Series in Chantel, France where he placed 9th overall. In order for Matt to compete provincially, at a high level, he must travel to Quebec and participate in their provincial races where he finished first place on Men’s Elite provincial Championships; second place in Men’s Elite Quebec Cup Series; and fourth place in the Men’s Elite Bromont Classic.

 

Ciaran Hearn, of Conception Bay South, is a member of the Bayman Rugby Football Club located in Conception Bay South. He has been a member of Canada’s National Senior Men’s team for all 2012 matches. In addition, he has been a key ingredient to The Rock’s success in national competitions over the past six years. While his heart remains in NL, he resides in Victoria BC as a means to further his rugby career, internationally. Ciaran is a National Carded athlete with Sport Canada and established himself as a member of Rugby Canada’s National Men’s Senior Sevens Team where he was a starting player competing in all six of the International Rugby Board World Sevens International Circuit. He was also a member of Team Canada’s Pan Am 7’s Team winning a Gold Medal.

 

Jason Hill, of St. John’s, has competed at the Local, National, and International Levels of Softball in 2012. Jason became the first player in the 56-year history of The Molson St. John’s Senior Men’s fastpitch league to capturing both the batting and pitching triple crowns in the same season. He was also the Senior League Regular Season Most Valuable Player and All-Star Pitcher. Jason was named Softball Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Male Player of the Year and was named to the Team Canada’s Roster for the International Softball Federation XIII Men’s World Championship to be held in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2012 he received Gold Medals at both the Canadian Senior Men’s Fastpitch Championship and Pan Am Championship, as well as Silver Medals in both the ASA Championship and ISC Championship.

 

 

Malorie Harris, of Mount Pearl, was selected as the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association “Female Player of the Year” in 2012. In the Breen’s Jubilee Cup League she was “Most Valuable Player” while being the top scorer for 3 consecutive years and registering 6 straight Provincial Senior Female Championships. Malorie is a role model to her teammates and has displayed leadership both on and off the field as her team made its way to an 8th place finish at the Canadian Championships.

 

Katarina Roxon, from Kippens, continues to dominate the sport of swimming both locally, nationally and internationally. Katarina holds National Records in the 1500-meter Freestyle, the 200-meter Breast Stroke, and the 200-meter Butterfly for “Swimmers With A Disability”. At the 2012 Paralympic Trials she won Gold in the 100-meter Butterfly and Bronze in the 100-meter Breaststroke. And on the world stage at the Para Olympics in London Katarina was 5th in the 100-meter Breaststroke, top 10 in the 400-meter Freestyle and 200-meter Individual Medley. At the Can-Am International Championships Katarina set another national record with a Gold Medal performance in the 50-meter Breaststroke, and secured Silver in all other events.

 

Kiersten Van Gulick, from St. John’s, is no stranger to the water or to winning. In 2012 at both at the St. John’s Rowing Club Invitational Regatta and the Provincial Time Trials, she won 2 Gold medals as well as Gold and the fastest overall time in the Ergometer Time Trials. At three Atlantic events she won double Gold in each appearance. And at the Royal Canadian Henley in St. Catherine’s, Kiersten ranked 5th of 54 competitors and was short-listed for the National Lightweight Team Talent Identification Camp in British Columbia.

 

 

Owen Daly, from St. John’s, currently swims with the St. John’s Legends Swim Club and excelled in the pool in 2012, racing against the big names in Canada in both the butterfly and freestyle sprint events. Owen finished first in the 100-meter free, 50-meter fly, 100-meter fly and the 50-meter free at the Long Course East Coast Championships in Halifax. At the Canadian Eastern Nationals in Gatineau, Quebec he finished first in the 50-meter fly, 50-meter free, and the 100-meter fly. Following he performance at the Eastern Nationals he swam against the top swimmers in the country at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal where he placed sixteenth overall, just missing the finals and racing in consolation finals in his first National Team Trials Meet. In addition to the Olympic Trials, Owen also competed at the Vancouver Canada Cup and the Toronto Canada Cup. At all three national meets he raced to second swims and was the top 17 and under in the country in at least one race.

 

Nathan Noel, from St. John’s, was the first fifteen year old since 2005, to make the Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Ice Hockey Team in Minnesota, USA. Being one of only three players to do so, Nathan holds this accomplishment with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jack Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Prior to making the Prep Team, Nathan competed in the Final Four at the Tier 1 Bantam US Nationals. In 56 games during the 2012 season Nathan racked up 104 points in 56 games including 45 goals and 59 assists. He was selected to Team Atlantic as an under ager for the World under-17 Challenge in Quebec and was selected as one of only 42 Bantam players selected to attend the National Hockey League Players Association Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp.

 

Myles Vincent, from Corner Brook, had great success on the local, Provincial, National and International baseball scene in 2012. Myles was invited and played with the Prairie Baseball Academy Junior Varsity Team in Lethbridge, Alberta. Provincially, Myles pitched a no hitter and was named Tournament MVP and Top Pitched at the Midget Atlantics; he also pithed a no hitter in the Provincial Senior B Championship Game. At the under eighteen Canada Cup National Championships Myles Struck out 11 batters in a 5-4 loss to Saskatchewan, resulting in an invitation to tryout and eventual selection to Canada’s National Junior Team. As a member of the Silver Medal winning Canadian Team, Myles pitched a 3-2 win the Czech Republic, striking out 9 batters in 7 innings.

 

 

Jillian Forsey, from Kippens, established herself as the premier junior female middle distance track and cross country runner in Canada and among the strongest in North America. She became the first and only female athlete from Newfoundland and Labrador to win a National Title in athletics winning the National Junior Cross Country Championships. Jillian finished an impressive second place out of 607 competitors at the Festival of Champions Cross Country in Bangor, Maine. She had two first place finished in 800 meter and 1500 meter at the Nike High School Grand Prix in Toronto and finished first in 3000 meters at the Athletics Ontario Junior Indoor Championship. Provincially, Jillian finished first in every race she entered.

 

Hannah Jardin, from St. John’s, helped Team Canada to a historic bronze medal win at the FIBA under seventeen world women’s basketball championships in Amsterdam this past summer. She contributed six points and two rebounds in thirteen minutes of floor time in Canada’s 84-77 win over Japan marking the first time Canada has won a medal in a women’s world age-group tournament. In eight games during the tournament, Hannah totals 85 minutes of floor time, 26 point and 21 rebounds. On the Provincial scene, Hannah won a gold medal with O’Donel High School at the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association Hall of Fame Cup and was named tournament MVP averaging 29 points per game. She also won a gold medal with O’Donel in the Clarence Sutton Memorial Classic where she was again named tournament MVP. Hannah won a silver medal in the AAAA High School Provincial Championships, scoring 40 points in the overtime final. As a result of her outstanding performance in 2012, Hannah was recruited and accepted a full scholarship to the highly ranked NCAA Division One University of Delaware.

 

Catherine Silotch, from St. John’s, had an incredible year as a 13-year-old swimmer in 2012. She broke 4 individual 13-14 year old Provincial Records and was a part of eleven Newfoundland and Labrador relay provincial records. At the Canadian Age group championships she set a new Newfoundland and Labrador 13-14 year old long course provincial record with a time of 27.57 in the 50 meter freestyle, placing her second overall in her category which was the only medal performance at the meet for the province. At the same meet she broke the Newfoundland and Labrador 13-14 year old Long course provincial record in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:30.49. She also took part on two St. John’s Legends 13-14 year old relay teams that finished top eight at Canadian age group championships – the first time Newfoundland and Labrador relay teams has scored points at the top age group meet in the country. Catherine finished the year with an incredible record of 2:22.57 in the 200-meter backstroke setting a new Newfoundland and Labrador 13-14 year old age category short course provincial record.

 

 

John Hill, from St. John’s, led his team, 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light, to new accomplishments for Men’s softball in the Province. John’s commitment and dedication to his team resulted in their success locally, provincially and nationally. John’s achievements locally included a first place finish in the Molson St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League Regular Season, a third place finish in the league playoffs and a second place finish in the leagues St. John’s Day Tournament. At the Molson Senior Men’s Fastpitch Provincial Tournament, John coached 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light, to a successful third place finish. In 2012, John played a critical leading role coaching 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light to become the provinces first ever Gold Medalists at the Canadian Senior Men’s Fastpitch Championships.

 

Jeff Kirk, of Goulds, is continuing to be one of the driving forces behind coaching development in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a Master Learning Facilitator and he is Softball Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chair of Coaching Development and their Learn to Play coordinator. Jeff is a member of the current Softball Newfoundland and Labrador Coaching Committee and is in charge of the Skills Development Program during the off-season. He is an active member of the Softball Canada Coaching Committee and was a contributor to the recent Softball Canada U12 & U14 Coaches Guides. In 2012, Jeff was the Head Coach of the Kelly’s Pub Junior Canadians Under 21 Junior Men’s Fastpitch Team. In 2012, Softball Canada made changes to their age categories, which posed major challenges for Jeff; however, his ability to get the best out of his players was evident at the Canadian Under 21 Men’s Fastpitch Championship. The Kelly’s Pub Junior Canadians went 6-2 in the round robin and 3-0 in the Playoffs to capture another Canadian Under 21 Men’s Fastpitch Championship for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Noel “Jake” Stanford, from St. John’s, has committed another year to ensuring the success of young athletes. In 2012, Jake was the volunteer coach for four teams with impressive results. His Holy Cross Kirby senior male team won the provincial Molson Challenge Cup championship for the fourth consecutive year. Jake coached the St. John’s Under 18 female team going undefeated to win the provincial title; they were second place in points in the Breen’s Jubilee Cup senior female league on an exhibition basis and were voted Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association’s “Team of the Year”. The Under 16 girls team which was coached by Jake won the gold medal at the Atlantic Championships. Jake’s Canada Games female team had outstanding results at the Dallas Cup Tournament in Dallas, Texas and provided leadership in the club’s participation in CBC’s “Turkey for Christmas” campaign. His success during the 2012 season, along with his hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed as he was named the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Associations “Coach of the Year” for the third time.

 

 

Robert Morgan, of St. John’s, is presently the President of St. John’s Minor Baseball Association and has been on the Board of Directors for the past 6 years. Under Bob’s leadership, St. John’s Minor Baseball applied for and was successful in receiving funding from the Blue Jays Foundation for a field project including lighting for one of the minor fields. This was to the value of $125 000 to which the city of St. John’s will be matching this contribution from the foundation. Bob has done a lot of grassroots work to unite baseball and grow the game in the eastern region and in the whole province through girl’s baseball, school tournaments, Midget Baseball league and winter training programs.

 

Pat Wells, of CBS, has completed an impressive four years as Conception Bay South Soccer President and during his term of office the sport has moved forward and increased with outstanding advancement. Pat obtained a new regulation turf soccer facility for CBS that will provide exceptional opportunities for soccer players from the area for years to come. During 2012 the CBS soccer organization hosted four major soccer competitions with outstanding success and exceptional results. The leadership that Pat provided was a major factor in their success. He was also a great help when CBS hosted the 4A High School tournament.

 

Jack Lee, of Goulds, is currently serving his second term as president of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador. During this time he has moved one of the largest provincial sport governing organizations in the province to a level that is second to none in Canada. Their membership numbers are very strong representing the largest growth in registration in all of Canada, governance and polices are sound and make the game fun and safe for the participants and the association remains financially secure for the future while keeping the cost of the game to the participants at a minimum. He has been appointed to four National Committee’s including Hockey Development Committee, School Sport Committee, Loyalty Card Policy Committee, and a Marketing Committee.

 

 

Kelly’s Pub Junior Canadians won the gold medal at the 2012 Canadian Under 21 Men’s Fastpitch Championship in Owen Sound, Ontario. After going 6-2 in the round robin, they rolled through the playoff round with a 3-0 record. The team had one player named to the tournament all-star team and also featured the playoff round most valuable player.

 

3Cheers Pub Bud Light became the first team from Newfoundland and Labrador to win the Canadian Senior Men’s Fastpitch Championship when they achieved the feat in 2012. The team dominated both the round robin and playoff round going a combined 9-0 outscoring the opposition by a combined 70 runs (74-4). Four team members were named to the tournament all-star team in addition to the tournaments top batter and the playoff round most valuable player.

 

St. John’s Under 18 Female Soccer Club enjoyed great success during the 2012 soccer season. In provincial play, the club won the provincial A title not allowing a goal in the process. They also competed in the provincial senior female league (Breen’s Jubilee Cup) on an exhibition basis and still finished second overall in points despite playing in one round less than the other clubs. At the national championships the club placed sixth overall, which was the best finish nationally for any club from the province in 2012. Because of their achievements the club was named Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Associations “Team of the Year.”

 

 

Richard Haywood, from St. John’s, has been a long-standing volunteer coach and builder with the St. John’s Soccer Club. In 2012 he was Head Coach of the Boys under 12 St. John’s Soccer Club Academy program comprised of 40 players who train all year. All three of his teams made it to the finals of the Boys under 12 Provincial Mega Soccer Championships winning one gold and two silver medals. Richard was the Assistant Coach for the St. John’s Boys under twelve travel team finishing an impressive third place at the Laval International Soccer Cup Tournament in Quebec. He was also the Head Coach of the Boys under 14A St. John’s Soccer Team who finished second in the Provincial Championships. In addition to all of his coaching duties, Richard is also a member of the St. John’s Soccer Club Technical Committee actively involved in the development of players and the other volunteer coaches within the club.

 

Lindsay Rayner, from Gander, has been an active volunteer with the Airials Gymnastics Club for the last five years and is the current President of the club. Besides acting as President, Lindsey was Acting Treasurer for part of the year as the club did not have a Treasurer for half the year. Lindsey was also Airials representative on Gander’s Multiplex Planning Committee, which is pursuing a new space for Airails, more conducive to gymnastics training than the rented facility they are currently in. She was Chair of the Finance Committee in addition to serving on the Fundraising and Competition Planning Committees. Given her efforts, 2012 has been considered the most successful for the club in both fundraising and annual competition.

 

Bruce Watson, from St. John’s, had a busy golf season in 2012. At the local level he was involved with the Junior Program at Clovelly Golf. Provincially he hosted regional championships across the province for the Tely Junior Tour, was a rules official for Provincial Junior Championships and the 2012 Provincial Summer Games in addition to hosing weekly rules seminars during the winter months as a rules instructor. In addition to all of this, Bruce was also the commissioner and webmaster for the Tely Junior tour and he is a Level IV Rules official at the National Level.

 

Source: Sport NL