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

Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Five New Members

Five individuals were recently selected by the Board of Governors, Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame for induction into the provincial sports hall of fame. The new members will be inducted into the provincial sports hall of fame during Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's annual Stars and Legends Awards Gala scheduled to take place in St. John's on April 10.

The new inductees are:

• William "Bill" Barron in the Builder category (Softball);
• John Breen in the Athlete category (Soccer);
• Patricia Dwyer in the Athlete category (Curling);
• Arthur B. Hamlyn in the Athlete/Veteran category (Hockey); and
• Patrick Kelly in the Athlete category (Softball).

Biographies of each of the inductees follow.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame is designed to recognize, honour and pay tribute to individuals on the basis of playing ability, sportsmanship and character and who have achieved extra-ordinary distinction in any sport, whether that distinction be achieved in amateur and/or professional athletics. It also recognizes, honours and pays tribute to those individuals who have given distinguished services and who have made a major contribution to the development and advancement of amateur sport in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lastly, it encourages the development of all aspects of sport by permanently recording the achievements and history of such individuals.

"The Board of Governors was once again presented with a strong roster of candidates for induction and there is no doubt those being inducted have outstanding super credentials that warranted their selection," said John McGrath, Chairman of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame Board of Governors.

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is again this year combining its two major recognition events into one celebration – the Stars and Legends Awards Gala. During one magnificent evening to recognize sport excellence, the Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Awards Ceremony and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place. The "Legends" who have built provincial sports and the "Stars" who will become tomorrow's legends will be honoured at the gala.

The 3rd annual Stars and Legends Awards Gala will take place on Saturday, April 10, at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland in St. John's beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year's awards gala will be co-hosted by Jonathan Crowe and Ryan Snoddon of CBC News: Here and Now.

Tickets for this year's Stars and Legends Awards Gala will be available for purchase on March 15, 2010. Individuals interested in attending this event can contact Sport Newfoundland and Labrador at either telephone number (709) 576-4932 or sportnl@sportnl.ca. For further information on this year's gala, visit the event website at 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.

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

BACKGROUNDER
Biographies of the latest Newfoundland and Labrador
Sports Hall of Fame Inductees.

William "Bill" Barron has been involved with softball in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1957. He was involved as a player in the St. John's Senior Softball League for 10 years, as an umpire for 12 years and as an executive member of Softball Newfoundland and Labrador for 11 years. Bill is currently, and has been for the past forty-five years, an executive official of the St. John's Senior Softball League. He was named Softball Newfoundland and Labrador's Executive of the Year in 1967 and again in 1998. In 1967 Bill coached the St. John's team to their first senior provincial championship and managed the Newfoundland senior men's team at the national championships in 1972. He is known by all in the softball community as an outstanding organizer for national and provincial tournaments at both the junior and senior levels. In 1981 he was inducted into the Newfoundland Softball Hall of Fame. For his passion and love for the game, Bill Barron is known to softball enthusiasts as "Mr. Softball".

John Breen's legacy in sport began at a very young age when he excelled at many sports including hockey and soccer. As time passed John continued with hockey, winning two Herder Memorial Trophies; however, soccer became a passion, when he accomplished many great things in his 30 year career on the field. With the success of two national championships, three Atlantic championships, 10 Challenge Cup and 19 city titles, John continued to influence the soccer community in a big way. In the 1980's, his devotion and determination with Holy Cross gained him the recognition in this province as Player of the Decade. In 1996 he was inducted into the St. John's Soccer Hall of Fame and in 2003 he was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame. John proceeded to give back to the sport he loved by coaching at the local and provincial levels. John Breen is known as a man who has been admired and respected by all in the soccer community and represents soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador with leadership and class.

Patricia Dwyer is known as one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most successful women curlers who competed on an elite level as a player and coach. From 1976 to 1990, Patricia was a member of the Sue Anne Bartlett Curling Rink which was named provincial Team of the Year in 1979. Patricia participated in eight Canadian Women's Curling Championships, making it to the championship game on two occasions. She made great accomplishments in her curling career because of her love for the game and the passion to excel. She was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Curling Hall of Fame in 1985, the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Bell Island Hall of Fame in 1995. Patricia was also named Labrador Female Athlete of the Year in 1986 and Newfoundland Curling Coach of the Year in 1990. Patricia Dwyer leads by example as a dedicated, committed and hard working Newfoundland and Labrador athlete and coach.

Arthur B. Hamlyn proved to be one of Newfoundland and Labrador's greatest goaltenders to play the game of hockey in this province. Arthur Hamlyn, also known by his fans and teammates as "Hammy" was known for his outstanding net minding skills with numerous hockey teams across the province. He started his goaltending career in the St. John's Senior Hockey League in 1928 with St. Bon's where he played until 1939. He then went on to play on Bell Island and Corner Brook during the early years of the 1940s. As he stole the hearts of many Newfoundlanders, Arthur accomplished numerous achievements along the way including his name appearing on the Boyle Trophy 10 times and on the Herder Memorial Trophy four times. To recognize "Newfoundland's greatest goaltender", the Art Hamlyn Memorial Trophy was established in 1954. This trophy is awarded annually to the goaltender with the least goals scored against him for the season. Arthur "Hammy" Hamlyn's career as a goaltender in this province is said to be the performance of a courageous, hark working, inspired man. Arthur Hamlyn passed away in February 1951 at the age of 41 years.

Patrick Kelly has been established as one of Newfoundland and Labrador's best softball players at the local, provincial and national level. The all-star first baseman and pitcher competed for 16 years gaining numerous personal and team successes. Pat attended 10 senior national men's championships representing Newfoundland and Labrador and was named an all-star first baseman in 1976. He pitched the first no hitter by any pitcher from Newfoundland and Labrador at the national senior men's championship in 1975. Pat was a member of 10 provincial championship teams at the junior and senior level, winning four MVP awards and three batting titles. Locally, between 1974 and 1981, he won nine individual awards including a batting crown, earned run average title and all-star pitcher. Pat Kelly is described as a gifted athlete with outstanding talent and ability. He is also known in softball circles for his great leadership qualities and determination. Pat is a member of the St. John's Softball Hall of Fame and the Newfoundland Softball Hall of Fame.

2010 03 04                                              11:50 a.m.