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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 26, 2010

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

Finalists Announced for 2009 Annual Sports Awards;
Awards to be Presented at Stars and Legends Gala

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the finalists for the 2009 Provincial Annual Awards and the line-up covers an array of sports and regions of the province.

"Once again this year, the level of talent we have in our province is evident by the impressive list of achievements and accomplishments of each and every one of this year's finalists," said Doug Fowler, president of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Stars and Legends Gala 2009 combines the two preeminent celebrations of sport into one prominent recognition ceremony. Along with the annual awards presentations, the event will also celebrate the 2009 inductees into the Sport Hall of Fame.

Each year 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.

The finalists for the Ferd Hayward Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award are Luke Adam of St. John's, Hockey; Justin Gill of St. John's, Softball; and Joey Russell of Labrador City, Figure Skating.

The finalists for the Elizabeth Swan Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award are Laura Breen of St. John's, soccer; Victoria Ralph of Carbonear, Wrestling and Victoria Thistle of St. John's, Basketball.

The finalists for the Joe Mullins Junior Male Athlete of the Year Award are Shane Boland of St. John's, softball; Owen Daly of St. John's, swimming; and Patrick Parfrey of St. John's, rugby.

The finalists for the Margaret Davis Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award are Hannah Jardine of St. John's, Basketball; Hannah Rivkin of St. John's, Soccer; and Katarina Roxon of Stephenville, swimming.

The finalists for the John Drinkwater Coach of the Year Award are Jim Dunphy of Holyrood, softball; Dr. Patrick Parfrey of St. John's, rugby; and Noel "Jake" Stanford of St. John's, soccer.

The finalists for the Graham Snow Executive of the Year Award are Ross Crocker of St. John's, softball; Kathy Jackman of Mount Pearl, Gymnastics; and Andrew Orsborn of St. John's, Rowing.

The finalists for the Edward Brown Team of the Year Award are Holy Cross/The Dock Men's Soccer Team — 2009 Challenge Cup Provincial Champions; Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians Men's Softball Team — 2009 Canadian Junior National Champions; and The Rock U18 Canada Games Men's Rugby Team — Bronze Medal Winners, 2009 Canada Games.

Biographies of all nominees follow.

The Stars and Legends Gala will take place on April 10, 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland. It will be co-hosted by Jonathan Crowe and Ryan Snoddon of CBC News: Here and Now. Further information on the Stars and Legends gala is available on the event website at www.starsandlegends.ca. Tickets can be purchased by contacting 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.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Troy Croft
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador
709.576.4932
troy@sportnl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of Finalists
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador 2009 Annual Awards

Senior Male Athlete of the Year

Luke Adam, of St. John's, was a member of silver medalists, Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. He scored four goals and added four assists for a total of eight points in six games played. The Buffalo Sabres 2nd round draft pick plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles where he led the team in scoring with 49 goals, 41 assists for a total of 90 points, second in the league for goals and fifth in the league for overall points.

Justin Gill, of St. John's, was a member of the Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians which won the Canadian Junior male softball championship in 2009 and was named all star short stop for the tournament. Justin also played on four other championship teams, including the Junior Canadians who won the provincial senior male title and the St. John's Day crown; the Conception Bay Central Canadians who emerged as provincial intermediate champions and Swing into Summer Tournament champions. Justin was named most valuable player, won a golden glove award and was named all star shortstop in the St. John's Senior Men's A League. He was also voted all star shortstop in intermediate play. Justin was Softball Newfoundland and Labrador's senior male player of the Year for 2009.

Joey Russell, of Labrador City, won gold at both the 2009 Octoberfest for figure skating in Barrie, Ontario and the 2009 BMO Eastern and Western Senior Figure Skating Challenge. He placed sixth at the 2009 BMO National Figure Skating Championships. In international competition, Joey placed first at both the 2009 Minto International and the Figure Skating Boutique Summer Skate, while placing ninth in the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy and 10th in the 2009 Homesense Skate Canada International.

Senior Female Athlete of the Year

Laura Breen, of St. John's, for the second time in her career, was selected to play for Canada at the World University Soccer Championships in 2009. She was Memorial's top goal scorer and her play for the Sea Hawks women's soccer team earned her a selection to the Canadian National University first all star team and to the Atlantic University first all star squad. During the Jubilee Trophy Provincial Championships, Laura Breen was named Playoff MVP.

Victoria Ralph, of Carbonear, won gold medals at the 2009 AUS Wrestling Championships, the Eastern Canadian Juvenile Wrestling Championships and the University of New Brunswick Open. Victoria was named The Telegram's Athlete of the Week and Memorial University Varsity Athletics Athlete of the Month for January of 2009. In addition to all her wrestling accomplishments, Victoria is also competitive in cross country running, triathlon, swimming, road racing and cycling.

Victoria Thistle, of St. John's, competed for both the Memorial Sea Hawks Women's Basketball Team and the Women's Soccer team. She was a CIS second team All-Canadian - 1 of top 10 players in the country. Victoria was 3rd in the AUS Conference with 16.3 points per game, top 10 in conference rebounding with 6.8 rebounds per game and 2nd in conference field goal percentage with a 58% field goal percentage. Victoria Thistle played an enormous role with the Sea Hawks Basketball team which finished tied for first place during the 2009 season with a 16-4 record.

Junior Male Athlete of the Year

Shane Boland, of St. John's played at the World U19 Championships for the Paul Davis Systems Club in PEI finishing with a 3-4 record in the quarter finals. He was also a member of the Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians softball team which won gold at the Canadian Junior Male National Championships and was selected as all star second basemen for the tournament. He emerged as the top pitcher in the St. John's Intermediate softball league with a 10-1 record. As a star batter and accomplished pitcher, Shane Boland won the Softball Canada Ethel Boyce Achievement Award and the Newfoundland and Labrador Bob Whelan Memorial Award in 2009. His overall statistics for competition in 2009 include 257 at bats in 87 games, a .300 batting average; 64 runs scored with 77 hits including seven home runs and 28 RBIs.

Owen Daly, of St. John's, broke individual provincial records 18 times in the boys 13-14 year old category, some of which were set over 30 years ago. He led the way for Newfoundland and Labrador at Age Group Nationals, the top meet for age group swimmers in Canada, reaching the finals (top 10) in six events. He attended the 2009 Canada Summer Games, swimming in the open category against the top rated 18 and 19 year old swimmers in the country, reaching the finals in the 200 meter Butterfly and the 50 metre backstroke. Swimming in five events at the Canada Games Owen Daly set provincial records in all of his events.

Patrick Parfrey Jr., of St. John's, was a member of The Rock U18 Men's Rugby Team which was the Eastern Canadian Gold Medalists and the Canada Games Bronze Medalists. He was a member of The Rock U20 Men's Rugby Team, which were the Eastern Conference Silver Medalists and the National Bronze Medalists. Patrick was a member of the Senior Swilers A Team which were both Goodyear Cup and Aliant Cup Champions. He attended a Canada U20 Men's Camp in October of 2009 and is a member of the Canadian Sport Center Atlantic High Performance Training Group, a Rugby Canada Academy Member, and is on the Atlantic U20 Squad. He was also a member of the Senior Rock Squad in games versus New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and on the Senior Americas Rugby Championship Rock Training Squad.

Junior Female Athlete of the Year

Hannah Jardine, of St. John's, led her team to a bronze medal at the Eastern Canadian Championships, scoring 25 points in the bronze medal game. For her efforts she was named to the tournament all-star team. Hannah also led her team to victory at the U14 Eastern Provincials and was selected tournament MVP. Her team won a silver medal at the U15 age category where she was the top scorer for her team. Hannah was named to the U17 Provincial Canada Games Team, making her one of the youngest competitors for this sport at age 13. In five games, she averaged 15 points and 14 rebounds per game including her best performance with 32 points and 20 rebounds against New Brunswick. Hannah was the recipient of one of the Premier's Athletic awards for basketball, recognizing athletic excellence for the provinces elite athletes. She was selected St. John's Athlete of the Month for June, July and August during 2009.

Hannah Rivkin, of St. John's, performed at such a high caliber during the Canada Summer Games in P.E.I and the Canadian U18 club championships in Alberta that she impressed Canadian Soccer Association coaches enough to receive invitations to three national U20 team training camps. Hannah was leading scorer for Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Summer Games and placed fourth in tournament scoring at the girls U18 National Championships. Her team won the Provincial Girls U18 A championships where she earned the most spirited player award. While attending the National Training Center in Halifax over the past three years, Hannah earned the right to participate in numerous national championships where she attracted the attention of the Canada Women's National Team Coach and has been identified as a potential national team player.

Katarina Roxon, of Stephenville won three silver medals in the 50 metre backstroke, the 100 metre breast stroke and the 200 metre individual medley at the international level. At the Provincial level she won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay and set national SWAD records in the 100 meter individual medley and the 50 meter breast stroke. In international competition Katarina continues to break national swimming records, setting a senior national record in the long course 1,500 metre freestyle, the short course 50 metre breast stroke and 100 metre individual medley.

Coach of the Year Award

Jim Dunphy, of St. John's, coached the Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians Softball Team to a national gold medal in 2009. Four of his players received individual honors as a result of their outstand play. Jim Dunphy demonstrated his exceptional coaching abilities by coaching his team to a provincial senior championship, the first junior team to win a senior provincial crown in the province. Jim Dunphy's outstanding accomplishments have made him one of the finest softball coaches in the history of the sport within this province.

Dr. Patrick Parfrey, of St. John's, was head coach for The Rock Rugby Team which was the Rugby Canada Super League Regional Gold Medalists. He was also head coach for The Rock U18 team which was the Eastern Canadian Gold Medalists and the Canada Summer Games Bronze Medalists. At the local level, Patrick coached the Swilers RFC to a Provincial and an Atlantic Championship, while his Swilers RFC U18 team was the Provincial Gold Medalists. Patrick Parfrey is the National High Performance Chair and had also been instrumental in the development of the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) player pathways and selection to the National teams.

Noel (Jake) Stanford, of St. John's, coached Holy Cross/The Dock men's soccer team to the club's first Challenge Cup title in fifteen years ending the St. Lawrence dominance of provincial senior male soccer. He coached Holy Cross/The Dock at the National Championships in Saskatoon where they finished sixth place with an impressive undefeated record during the round robin. Noel (Jake) Stanford also coached the U14 St. John's Female Team where he led the girls to an undefeated season, winning the Bell Aliant Metro League junior title and won gold at the provincial championships. At the National championships the girls won four of five games and finished in fifth place.

Executive of the Year Award

Ross Crocker, of St. John's, is the president of Softball Newfoundland and Labrador and General Manager of Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians Men's Softball Team which won a gold medal at the National Championships. Ross also led the organizing committee of the Constable William Moss Memorial Softball Tournament, which is the largest minor fast pitch tournament east of Montreal. It is due to Ross's dedication to this tournament over the past eight years that it has been such a tremendous success.

Kathy Jackman, of Mount Pearl, has been involved with Campia Gymnastics Club for the past eight years, where she is a valued member of the board. Kathy sits on numerous committees with Campia Gymnastics Club and Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador. She is currently the secretary for Campia Gymnastics Club, and serves as an executive member on five committees for the club. Kathy was also a member of the 2009 Bingo Committee in Liaison with the Mount Pearl Sport Alliance and was a committee member for the 2009 Eastern Canadian Championships. Kathy was the recipient of Campia Gymnastics Club 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award and Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador's 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Andrew Orsborn, of St. John's, completed his sixth year as president of the St. John's Rowing Club. During 2009 he organized numerous fundraising events, managed, coached and officiated at the St. John's Rowing Club High School and Invitational Regatta's. He managed and helped coach athletes who competed at the Harbour Grace Regatta the Royal St. John's Regatta, the Provincial Time Trials, the Atlantic Championships, the Canada Summer Games, the National Rowing Championships and the Second Largest Regatta in North America - Head of the Hooch in the USA. Andrew also acted as a provincial instructor and as the Atlantic Regional Coordinator for Learn to Row instructors.

Team of the Year Award

Holy Cross/The Dock Senior Men's Soccer Team captured the Challenge Cup Provincial Title in 2009 which was the first Challenge Cup title for this soccer club in 15 years. Holy Cross/The Dock earned first place in provincial play, losing only two games. During the playoffs, they were forced to play three games in 48 hours, including two that featured 30 minutes of extra time. At the National Championships, the team went undefeated in round robin play and finished sixth overall. The remarkable record of this team had only three losses in its full season of provincial and national competition.

Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians Softball Team won a gold medal at the Canadian Junior Male Softball Championship in 2009. The team finished the 2009 national championships with a 9-2 record and defeated Nova Scotia 4-2 in the championship game. The 2009 Kelly's Pub Men's Softball Team was the first junior team to win the provincial senior male softball championships in the province. They also won the 2009 St. John's Day Tournament and finished second in the St. John's Senior A league with a 16-8 regular season record.

The Rock U18 Men's Rugby Team were the 2009 Eastern Canadian Rugby Championship Gold Medalists and the Canada Summer Games bronze medalists. The team travelled to Wales, UK, where they played four of the top Welsh teams including the Newport-Gwent Dragons. Due to the exceptional quality of play, the Rock U18 Rugby Team had four players attend Canadian selection camps and five members of the Atlantic U20 team.

2010 03 26                                                   12:15 p.m.


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