March 24, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation:
Seal Cove, Fortune Bay teen selected as 1999-2000
NBA/WNBA Sportsmanship Initiative Award Winner
Ryan Rideout, 15, Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, was selected as the 1999-2000 NBA/WNBA Sportsmanship Initiative Award Winner earning himself and his father a trip to Toronto to be honoured at a Toronto Raptors home game.
Ryan, along with five other Eastern Canadian high school hoopsters and basketball coaches who exemplified good sportsmanship on the court this season, was honoured in an on-court ceremony prior to the Orlando Magic versus Toronto Raptors game on Friday, March 17. The Sportsmanship Award winners received medals and certificates in recognition of the award.
Ryan was one of six basketball players from across Canada selected by random draw on March 1, 2000 as sportsmanship award recipients. School athletic director Ross Noseworthy nominated Ryan, a basketball player at John Watkins Academy in Hermitage, for the award for practising fair play, respect and integrity in the 1999-2000 hoops season. Other winners hail from British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Six high school basketball coaches also received awards.
Sportsmanship kits containing posters, certificates and nomination cards were sent to thousands of French and English high schools across Canada in January 2000.
The Sportsmanship Initiative also recognizes NBA and WNBA players who exemplify good sportsmanship. Hersey Hawkins (NBA) and Dawn Staley (WNBA) received Sportsmanship Awards last season.
The NBA launched its league-wide sportsmanship initiative in 1996 to honour players and coaches who demonstrate the ideals of good sportsmanship. The 1999-2000 program was executed in Canada through partnerships between the NBA, the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies, the Canadian School Sport Federation and Canada Basketball.
For further information, please contact:
Angela Park
NBA Canada, Inc.
(416) 364-2030 ext. 119
apark@nba.com
2000 03 24 3:05 p.m.
