May 11, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Sport Volunteer of the Year Winner

Edward J. Tarbett from Corner Brook is this year's recipient of the Frank W. Graham Memorial Award - Volunteer of the Year. The announcement was made by Angela King, chairperson of the Volunteer of the Year Committee, during Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's Annual General Meeting and Volunteer of the Year Luncheon which took place on Saturday, May 9, at the new Pippy Park (Admiral's Green) Golf Club in St. John's. The finalists for this year's award included Eugene McDonald of Wabush, Labrador, the Labrador Regional Winner; Tarbett, the Western Regional Winner; John F. Pickett of Clarenville the Southern Regional Winner; and Randel Rideout of Manuels, the Eastern Regional Winner.

Tarbett last year was manager of two Corner Brook Soccer All-Star Teams - the Under 19 Girls' and the Under 13 Boys' and as manager he was responsible for the teams' fund raising, transportation arrangements and accommodations. He is a member-at-large on the executive of the Curling Minor Soccer Program and responsible for fund raising for the Corner Brook Minor Soccer Association. During the past season, Tarbett was co-ordinator for the very successful Chevrolet Tournament (a west coast regional invitational tournament) which takes place in Corner Brook each year. On the provincial level, Tarbett was involved as the Newfoundland Soccer Association's representative for the provincial Under 19 Girls' Soccer Tournament. As well, Tarbett raised funds for the travelling and accommodation expenses needed for the Corner Brook Under 13 Boys' Soccer Team to travel and compete in the Provincial A Tournament in Garnish. During 1997, Tarbett was manager for the Presentation Grade 7 Boys' Basketball Team and he did the fund raising for the team to compete in the provincial competition in Milltown. As well, he helped to fundraise for the Regina High Volleyball Team which competed in the provincial tournament in Grand Falls-Windsor. This past season, Tarbett was the manager for the Presentation Grade 8 Boys' Basketball Team and he did all the fundraising to take the team to the Eastern Provincial Tournament in Mount Pearl.

Angela King, chairperson of the Volunteer of the Year Committee said: "The quality of this year's nominations was exceptional and the awards presented were based on the criteria established for the award which is to grant due recognition to the grassroots volunteers who are not obtaining the recognition that they duly deserve. This is a perpetual award and it is Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's intention to ensure that it is the sport community's contribution to volunteer work locally."

Each regional winner was presented with a framed certificate and the provincial winner was awarded the Frank W. Graham Memorial Award. Tarbett, who was unable to attend the luncheon due to a family commitment, was represented by Angus Barrett, president of the Newfoundland Soccer Association. Barrett accepted the award on Tarbett's behalf from Adrian and Andrea Graham, nephew and grand-niece of the late Frank W. Graham.

Contact: Angela King, (709) 729-5842.

1998 05 11 3:50 p.m.