Sport Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the finalists for the 2008 Provincial Annual Awards and the line-up covers an array of sports and regions of the province.

"The 2008 finalists once again show the array of talent we have in our province," said Doug Fowler, president of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador.

The 2009 Stars and Legends Awards Gala combines the two pre-eminent celebrations of sport into one prominent recognition ceremony. Along with the Provincial Annual Awards presentations, the event will also celebrate the 2009 inductees into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.

Each year Provincial Annual Awards are presented to recognize the best athletic achievements in the province in seven categories. Nominations for these awards are accepted only from provincial sport organizations which are members of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of various sports media and volunteers in the province.

"When you look at these accomplishments closely, you get a real good understanding of the commitment, dedication and passion these people have for sport. It truly is exciting." said Fowler.

The finalists for the Ferd Hayward Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award are Ryan Brockerville of Marystown, Athletics; Joey Russell of Labrador City, Figure Skating; and, Frank Walsh of St. John�s, rugby.

The finalists for the Elizabeth Swan Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award are Nichole Adams of St. John�s, soccer; Katherine Quackenbush of St. John�s, basketball; and, Allison Rockwood of Heart�s Content, wrestling.

The finalists for the Joseph P. Mullins Junior Male Athlete of the Year Award are Sean Edwards of St. Lawrence, soccer; Patrick Parfrey Jr. of St. John�s, rugby; and, Matthew Young of Corner Brook, figure skating.

The finalists for the Margaret Davis Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award are Maura Hayes of St. John�s, Volleyball; Victoria Ralph of Carbonear, wrestling; and, Katarina Roxon of Stephenville, swimming.

The finalists for the John Drinkwater Coach of the Year Award are Scott Betts of St. John�s, soccer; Patrick Parfrey of St. John�s, rugby; and, John Smyth of St. John�s, rowing.

The finalists for the Graham Snow Executive of the Year Award are Shane Dunphy of Marystown, soccer; Ralph Payne of Stephenville, powerlifting; and, Bev Power of Labrador City, Figure Skating.

The finalists for the Edward P. Browne Team of the Year Award are EPR Kirby/The Dock Women�s Soccer Team � 2008 Jubilee Trophy Provincial Champions; Memorial Sea~Hawks Women�s Basketball Team � 2008 AUS Champions; and, The Rock Rugby Team � Gold Medal Winners, 2008 Rugby Canada Super League.

Biographies of all nominees are attached.

The Stars and Legends Awards Gala will take place on March 28, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland. It will be co-hosted by Jonathan Crowe of CBC News: Here and Now and Dr. TA Loeffler of Memorial University. This year�s event will feature a Keynote Address by Dr. Steve Norris, expert panel member on Canadian Sport for Life. Further information on the Stars and Legends Awards Gala is available on the event website at www.starsandlegends.ca. For ticket information contact Sport Newfoundland and Labrador at 709.576.4932 or sportnl@sportnl.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.

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Media contact:

Troy Croft
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador
709-576-4932
troy@sportnl.ca

Ryan Brockerville, of Marystown, finished second in the steeplechase at the Junior National Track and Field Championships. He was the 4^th ranked Junior in Canada at the 3000M Steeplechase.

Figure Skater Joey Russell, of Labrador City, placed 2nd at the BMO Senior Challenge (Canadian�s Qualifying Event). He placed first at both the Skate Canada- Central Ontario (COS) Summer Skate and Octoberfest 2008.

Frank Walsh, of St. John�s, was an instrumental member of the Senior Rock Rugby team recording a 3rd National title in four years. He was selected to the National Senior Men�s team for the Fall Tour to Europe.

Soccer player Nichole Adams, of St. John�s, a member of EPR Kirby/The Dock, emerged as the top goal scorer at the BMO National Women�s Championships, helping her team to a fourth-place finish. Nichole was voted the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

Katherine Quackenbush, of St. John�s, a member of the Memorial Sea~Hawks Women�s Basketball Team, was a Canadian Interuniversity Sport team All-Canadian and a 1st team Atlantic University Sport All-Star. At the Ryerson Invitational Tournament, Katherine was named an All-Star and Most Valuable Player.

Allison Rockwood, of Heart�s Content, earned a bronze medal at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport wrestling championships and a silver medal at the University of New Brunswick open wrestling tournament. She was named Memorial University�s Wrestler of the Year.

Soccer player Sean Edwards, of St. Lawrence, was a member of the St. Lawrence Laurentians� Senior Men�s Club that represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the Senior Men�s National Club Championships.

A member of the Silver Blades Skating Club, Matthew Young, of Corner Brook, set a new provincial record at the 2008 BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals.

Maura Hayes, of St. John�s, was the only athlete in Eastern Canada named to the National Junior Volleyball Team.

Carbonear native Victoria Ralph won a bronze medal at the National Wrestling Championships and was named for the second straight year most outstanding wrestler at the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association (CAWA) Atlantic Championships.

Katarina Roxon, of Stephenville, competed at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. She set a national record in Long Course Swimming and earned bronze medals in the 100M Breast Stroke at the CAN-AM International Open and the 50M Breast Stroke at the German International Open.

Scott Betts, of St. John�s, coached the EPR Kirby/The Dock women�s soccer team to a fourth-place finish at the BMO National Women�s Championships, the best showing ever by a senior ladies Newfoundland and Labrador team. Scott was voted Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association Coach of the Year.

Marystown native Shane Dunphy was President of both the Marystown Minor Soccer Association and the Burin Peninsula Soccer Association. He was voted the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association 2008 Executive of the Year.

Ralph Payne, of Stephenville, is the Newfoundland and Labrador Powerlifting Association�s Referee Chairperson. As Meet Director, he almost single-handedly organized the World�s Open (Men and Women) Powerlifting Championships held in St. John�s.

Bev Power, of Labrador City, is the Chair of the Board of Skate Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. She was appointed to Skate Canada�s Board of Directors and served on five Skate Canada Committees. Under her leadership and focus of growing sport in the province, the number of figure skaters has grown to 4,700, a new provincial record.

EPR Kirby/The Dock were the 2008 Jubilee Trophy Provincial Champions and earned a fourth-place result at the BMO National Women�s Championships, the best showing ever by a Newfoundland and Labrador Female Senior Soccer Club in Canadian Championships.

Memorial Sea-Hawks Basketball Team (Ladies) were the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Champions and the Ryerson Invitational Champions. They had a 17-3 win-loss record in AUS play.

The Rock Rugby Team were the Rugby Canada Super League Gold Medalists, taking the National title for the third time in four years. They were also the Rugby Canada Super League Eastern Conference Gold Medalists.