Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 28, 2011
The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:
Provincial Annual Award Finalists Announced: Stars and Legends Awards Gala set for April
Newfoundland and Labrador is rich with talent and spirit. The athletes of our province are true examples, as they demonstrate their abilities locally, nationally and internationally. SportNL will hold the 2011 Stars and Legends Awards Gala on April 2 at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland to celebrate those who have excelled in the world of sports this past year. The gala will combine the Provincial Annual Awards and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony into one commemorative event. The event will be co-hosted by Jonathan Crowe and Ryan Snoddon of CBC News Here and Now.
“The Stars and Legends Awards Gala is an exciting event that we look forward to each and every year,” said Doug Fowler, President of SportNL. “We are extremely proud of the event and it is a thrill to acknowledge the great sporting contributions Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have made and continue to make.”
The gala will honour athletes with the SportNL Provincial Annual Awards, which recognizes the best athletic achievements in the past year. Nominations for these awards are accepted only from provincial sport organizations which are members of SportNL. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of various sports media and volunteers in the province. Awards are presented in seven categories: Senior Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Junior Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Coach of the Year; Team of the year; and Executive of the Year.
“Our list of finalists for this year’s gala once again demonstrates the amazing talent Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer,” says Mr. Fowler. “There have been so many accomplishments and achievements throughout the province that SportNL is pleased to acknowledge.”
Margaret Davis Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award
Hannah Jardine of St. John’s – Basketball
Deidre Rees of Kilbride – Rugby
Katarina Mirabelle Roxon of Stephenville - Swimming
Joe Mullins Junior Male Athlete of the Year Award
Shane Boland of Goulds - Softball
Zach O’Brien of St. John’s - Hockey
Patrick Parfrey Jr. of St. John’s – Rugby
Graham Snow Executive of the Year Award
Bob Antle of St. John’s – Soccer
Ben Colbourne of St. John’s – Rowing
Patrick Parfrey Sr. of St. John’s – Rugby
John Drinkwater Coach of the Year Award
Simon Blanks of Mount Pearl - Rugby
Ian Moores of Harbour Grace - Ball Hockey
Paul Power of Conception Bay South - Rowing
Edward Brown Team of the Year Award
“The Rock” Rugby Team - Canadian Rugby Champions
NL Black Horse Ball Hockey Team - Canadian Ball Hockey Champions
St. John’s Midget AAA Fog Devils - Atlantic Major Midget Champions
Elizabeth Swan Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award
Malorie Harris of Mount Pearl – Soccer
Kiersten Van Gulick of St. John’s – Rowing
Kate Vaughan of St. John’s – Athletics
Ferd Hayward Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award
Colin Greening of St. John’s – Hockey
Ciaran Hearn of Conception Bay South – Rugby
Joey Russell of Labrador City - Figure Skating
(Bios of all finalists follow in Backgrounder)
Also, 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 on April 2nd.
The new inductees are:
- Judith “Judy” May in the “Builder” category (Cross Country Skiing),
- Adam Morgan in the “Athlete” category (Diving),
- Glenn Normore in the “Athlete/Builder” category (Basketball), and
- Ronald Patrick Tobin in the “Athlete” category (Basketball).
The 2011 Stars and Legends Gala promises to be a great event, where the province can truly celebrate and showcase the great talent and athleticism this province has to share. Tickets for the gala are available by calling 576-4932 or e-mailing 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
BACKGROUNDER
Biographies of Finalists
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador 2010 Annual Awards
Hannah Jardine, of St. John’s, plays with local, high school and national basketball teams. She helped her team to a 2nd place finish in the St. John’s Division 1 Ladies League. Provincially, Hannah led her O’Donel Patriots High School team to a silver medal at the 4A Girls High School Basketball championships, averaging 26 points per game. Hannah led her St. Peter’s Junior High team to silver medals at both the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games and the U15 Eastern Provincials. Hannah was also busy on the National level, leading her provincial team to a 2-4 record (8th place) at the U15 National girls Basketball Championships. At 15 years old, she was also, one of 25 athletes, who were invited and participated in a tryout for the Canadian Women’s National U17 team. Hannah was also selected for the Premier’s Athletic Award for Basketball, Mount Pearl Youth Female Athlete of the Year and the Female Athlete of the Year at St. Peter’s Junior High for basketball, volleyball and soccer.
Deidre Rees, hails from Kilbride and has made a name for herself in the world of rugby, both locally and internationally. Deidre helped her team win the Deacy Cup and helped her Bishops High School Team win the High School Regional’s and the City League Tournament. She was a member of the U20 Newfoundland and Labrador Bronze medal team at the Eastern Provincials in July, as well as the U19 Newfoundland and Labrador team that attended the Rugby Canada National Festival, where she helped Newfoundland move from 6th to 5th place. Deidre was also a member of the Rugby Canada U18 team, winning a tournament in San Diego, CA.
Katrina Mirabelle Roxon, of Stephenville, a seasoned competitive swimmer has made her mark across the province, the country and North America. This year she took part in numerous international competitions including the 2010 IPC World Swimming Championships, 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2010 USA Spring Can-Am International Swimming Championships and 2010 USA Winter Can-Am International Swimming Championships. Katrina had a particularly successful season in 2010, having broken several national records and finding her place on the podium while competing in the U.S.
Shane Boland, of Goulds, is a star in both the worlds of junior and senior softball and junior hockey. 2010 was Shane’s last year in minor softball and he had a phenomenal season. Shane has been named All-Star player and MVP numerous times, including the 2010 St. John’s Intermediate Fast Pitch League. His team finished 1st overall in the St. John’s Senior Fast Pitch League, won a gold medal at the St. John’s Senior Fast Pitch St. John’s Day Tournament and a gold medal at the 2010 St. John’s Senior Fast Pitch Provincials. On a national scene, Shane demonstrated great talent by being named All-Star Short stop at the 2010 Midget Fast Pitch Nationals.
Patrick Parfrey Jr., of St. John’s, is a member of the Rock U20 Men’s Rugby team, who brought home the gold medal from the National Junior Championships. The Rock Under 20 team also won gold at the Eastern Canadian and the Atlantic Championships. As an under-ager, he was a member of the Rugby Canada Under 20 International Rugby Board World Trophy Squad, starting inside centre playing all four games against Japan, Russia, Zimbabwe and Uruguay at the 2010 event held in Russia. Patrick is also a member of the Rugby Canada Academy, the Canadian Sport Center Atlantic High Performance Training Group and the Atlantic Under 20 Squad.
Zach O’Brien of St. John’s led the Provincial league in scoring by recorded 62 goals and 91 points in 23 games. He was also named CO MVP and Top Scorer. Zach participated at the Moncton, NB AAA Challenge and was awarded the Most Valuable Player award. At the Atlantic Championships, Zach was the Tournament Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player, while helping to lead his team to victory. Last year’s TELUS Cup saw Zach receive the Top Forward Award and help his team win a bronze medal. An exciting opportunity came this year, as Zach was invited to attend the San Jose Sharks Rookie Camp. Currently, he plays for Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.
Bob Antle, of St. John’s, is committed to the sport of soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador – a commitment which earned him the co-title of NLSA Executive of the Year in 2010. Locally, he served as President of the St. John’s Senior Soccer League (overseeing more than 30 teams) and served on the St. John’s Youth All-Star Committee (over 20 teams) and the King George V Board of Directors (which oversees the soccer facility). Provincially, Bob served on the Management Committee of the Provincial Teams Program, which helped prepare team managers for Atlantic and National Competitions. Nationally, Bob served as Chairman of the host committee for both, the Under-14 and Under-16 National Girls Competition as well as the Under-18 Girls and boys National Club Competition.
Ben Colbourne, of St. John’s, helped organize the St. John’s Rowing Club Invitational Regatta, while coaching crews. At the St. John’s Rowing Club Erg Championships, Ben helped coach 24 athletes, while aiding in the overall organization of the event and did the same for the St. John’s Rowing Club High School Regatta. At the Provincial Rowing Banquet, Ben was presented with the President’ Award and Executive of the Year. At the Provincial ERG Championships, he helped organize the event, while coaching 16 athletes, both male and female. Ben coached the Men’s Champions and helped coach the 4th place finishers in the Women’s Championship at the Royal St. John’s Regatta. As well, Ben took part in the Eastern Canadian Championships, as he helped coach crews to one gold, six silver and three bronze medals. He helped bring home seven gold, eight silver and five bronze medals from the Atlantic Championships. On an international level, Ben managed the team at the Hooch Regatta in Tennessee, USA, winning one gold and three silver medals. Ben also helps the sport of rowing in other ways. He led a sponsorship drive to help pay off over $50,000 worth of purchases and has completed his fourth year as a board member of the St. John’s Rowing Club and worked as a liaison with Rowing Canada, the City of St. John’s and the Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee.
Patrick Parfrey Sr, of St. John’s, has a lot to be proud of. As a director on the Executive with Swilers RFC and Acting Chair of the Steering Committee with the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre, Pat Parfrey is an active member of the rugby community in the province. He is responsible for the direction, development, culture and public relations for the male Rock rugby teams. He also takes on the responsibility for all fundraising events, such as the Annual Rugby Dinner. He also manages the Under 18 team, which won bronze at the Nationals in Calgary. On a National level, Parfrey is the Chair of the Atlantic High Performance Rugby Program as part of the National Canadian Rugby Championship inaugurated to identify and develop national calibre athletes.
Simon Blanks, of Mount Pearl, coached a number of accomplished rugby teams locally, provincially and nationally. Provincially, he co-coached the Atlantic Senior Champions, the National Senior Champions, and the fourth-place Under 16 team at the nationals in Calgary; he was the head coach for the National Junior Champs; and, he was also head coach of the Rock in addition to Atlantic Elite Athlete Development Coach for a number of high-profile players in the Canada Selects, Rugby Canada and National Senior Men’s Team. Nationally, he served as the Rugby Canada Atlantic Academy Manager and the Canadian Sport Center Atlantic Head Coach. Locally, he is recognized for coordinating and coaching Active Start, which attracts more than 100 preschoolers to the sport; he also coaches various Dogs teams such as the RFC Under 16 Seniors, RFC Senior Women’s Provincial Champions and Under 18 Provincial Champions.
Ian Moores, of Harbour Grace, in his capacity as head coach, led the Newfoundland Black Horse Ball Hockey Team to gold in this year’s Canadian Ball Hockey Championships. Under Moores’ direction, the Newfoundland Black Horse went undefeated throughout the entire event with a record of 6-0-1. A credit to coach Moores, this team, built on physicality and skill, achieved the win through strategy and perfect execution.
Paul Power, of Conception Bay South, was named 2010 Provincial Rowing Coach of the Year for his efforts and achievements in rowing, both locally and internationally. Paul coached during the 2010 St. John’s Rowing Club Invitational Regatta, earning his teams eight medals, six silver and four bronze. He also coached at the St. John’s Rowing Club Erg Championships, the Royal St. John’s Regatta (two gold and two silver medals) and the Regatta Time Trials. On a national level, Paul coached crews to one gold, six silver and three bronze medals at the Eastern Canadian Championship and was selected as one of the three coaches for the Eastern Canadian Canada Games 2013 Talent ID Camp. Paul was also an integral coach at the Junior World Championships, assisting in the coaching of Tyler Young. Another huge accomplishment is Paul’s involvement at the Hooch regatta in Tennessee, USA, where crews won one gold and three silver medals.
The Rock Rugby Team brought home the gold medal from the Inaugural International Rugby Board sponsored Canadian rugby Championship. The tournament comprised of league play with the top two teams competing for the National title. The Rock had an undefeated season, which brought them to win the first ever nationally televised rugby final in Canadian history.
NL Black Horse Ball Hockey Team, of Bay Roberts, won the Gold Medal for the Canadian Ball Hockey Championships in St. John’s. The team went undefeated with a record of 6-0-1 in the running against nine other teams. It was the first time in more than 20 years the championship title went to a province outside of Ontario or Quebec. The Newfoundland squad used their superior size and strength to keep the defending champions from Brampton, Ontario on the perimeter and to shoot from afar. Perfect execution allowed them to win the National Championship.
St. John’s Fog Devils Midget AAA Hockey Team, turned heads this season, as they made the Newfoundland and Labrador sports community proud with their consistent high rankings as one of the top teams in the major midget hockey league in Canada. The team finished in the final four during the Atlantic Major Midget Championship, were undefeated in league play in the Newfoundland and Labrador major Midget Hockey league, all while making waves at the national level. Champions of the Monctonian Tournament, gold medalists at the Atlantic Major Midget Championships and bronze medalists at the TELUS Cup, the Fog Devils have had an impressive year. On a national level, they finished fourth out of 28 competitors at the Kiwanis Gatineau International Midget Hockey Tournament.
Malorie Harris, of Mount Pearl, has several coveted soccer titles under her belt: two Most Valuable Player awards, a scoring title, and a league all-star. She was also named the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Associated Female Player of the Year in 2010. At the Senior Jubilee Trophy Championship, Malorie led her team to a first place finish; she was the league’s top scorer with 29 goals, the Regular Season Most Valuable Player, and was named to the League All-Star Team. At the Provincial Jubliee Trophy Championship, she led her team to the provincial championship and was named Most Valuable Player of the provincial finals. At the Senior Jubliee Trophy Nationals, her team finished in 6th place, and Malorie was among her team’s top scorers.
Kiersten Van Gulick, of St. John’s, is nominated for her many achievements in rowing, including Rowing Provincial Female Athlete of the Year. She won three gold medals at the St. John’s Rowing Club Invitational Regatta; a silver medal at the Royal St. john’s Regatta, and a gold in the Senior Lightweight Category at the St. John’s Rowing Club Erg Championships. She also won three gold medals at the Provincial Time Trials, a gold medal in the senior lightweight category for the Provincial Erg Championships. She won the bronze medal in the Lightweight Category at the Eastern Canadian Championships, as well as two gold medals and two silver medals at the Atlantic Championships. She has also had an international presence, placing 17th of 52 competitors at the Head of the Hooch Regatta in Tennessee, USA.
Kate Vaughan, of St. John’s, has a number of road race and cross country titles – at the local, provincial, national and international. Locally, she placed first in the following four events: Tely 10 Mile Road Race (ninth overall), Hourbourfront Timex 10km (second overall), 28th Annual CHCM Times 10km (fifth overall) and Mews Timex 8km Road Race (fifth overall). Provincially, she placed first in the following four events: Provincial Cross-Country Championships, Provincial 5 km (sixth overall), Provincial Half Marathon (fourth overall), and Newfoundland Labrador Athletics Association Road Race Season (an event for which she is undefeated). Nationally, she maintained her panache for achievements, placing sixth at the National Cross Country event; fourth at the National 10k Championships (33rd of 2,035 overall) and ninth at the Ottawa 10k (55th of 8,499 overall). In the international arena, Kate has been selected for North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) and World Cross Country Canadian Senior Women’s Team.
Colin Greening, of St. John’s, capped off a four-year NCAA Division 1 Career at Cornell University this year. Colin is the product of the St. John’s Minor Hockey Association and the St. John’s AAA Maple Leafs midget program. During the 2009-10 hockey season, Colin captained the Cornell Big Red and finished second overall in team scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists in 34 games. He was ranked 37th all-time in Cornell history, scoring 55 goals and 118 points, while never missing a game in his career. Colin was named to All-ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) all-star team, All-Ivy League first all-star team, ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner, awarded annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey, named to the ESPN Magazine Academic All-America first all-star team and named a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award as U.S. College hockey’s top player. In addition to his on-ice exploits, Colin helped organize the Big Red team’s Teddy Bear Toss with proceeds going to special needs children, was on Cornell’s Homecoming Parade Organizing Committee, helped organize the hockey team’s visits to local area schools, helped organize Cornell's charity skate, helped raise funds for the area Special Olympics program. All this while Colin was earning a degree in applied economics and management, holding down a 3.99 grade-point average.
Ciaran Hearn, of Conception Bay South was a member of The Rock Rugby Team that won the Canadian Rugby Championship. Ciaran turned in a “Man of the Match” performance in the nationally televised National Senior final in St. John’s, where he kicked four penalties in an 18-9 victory. He also played all minutes of all four Rock games in the International Rugby Board, funded by the Canadian Rugby Championship. Ciaran was the star player in all eight international matches for the 2010 Rugby Canada’s National Senior Men’s team, where he was also awarded “Man of the Match” in the semi-final of the Churchill Cup. At Rugby Canada’s National Senior Men’s Sevens Team, Ciaran was a starter, competing in all 6 matches of the International Circuit as well as representing Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Sevens Rugby. Ciaran is a member of the Bayman Rugby Football Club, located in Conception Bay South, and has been a member of Canada’s National Senior Men’s team since 2006. He currently resides in Victoria BC and is hoping to further his rugby career internationally.
Joey Russell, of Labrador City, took home several provincial, national and international Senior Male Figure Skating titles. On the provincial front, he placed second of nine and third of eight, respectively, at the Thornhill Summer Skate (Thornhill, Ontario) and Octoberfest (Barrio, Ontario) competitions. On the national stage, he placed fifth of 18 and third of 20, respectively, at the BMO Canadian Championships and BMO Senior Challenge. In the international arena, Joey placed 11th of 27 and sixth of 23, respectively, at the Four Continents (Korea) and Nelbelhorn Trophy (Germany) championships.
2011 03 28 11:45 a.m.