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

Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador (GNL) Names Annual Awards Winners

Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador honored their top athletes, coaches and volunteers during the 2011 Gymnastics Newfoundland and Labrador Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon.

Erica Devereaux from Cygnus Gymnastics took top honors in the Female Athlete Division. Erica captured Newfoundland and Labrador’s first gold medal at the 2011 Eastern Canadian Championships, as well as being Newfoundland and Labrador’s highest ranking athlete at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

Brett Mercer of Campia Gymnastics was named the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year. Brett was named Atlantic Champion at the 2011 Atlantic Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick, as well as capturing two silver individual medals and one bronze. He also represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2011 Canada Winter Games advancing to the all-around competition.

Devonne Ryan of Cygnus Gymnastics was named Coach of the Year for Female Athletes. The Devonne team captured the gold medal at Provincials and Atlantic Championships. She was named as a provincial coach, as well as guest coach for 2011 Future Stars Training Camp.

Dr. Ken Budgell of Campia Gymnastics was awarded the 2011 Coach of the Year for Male Athletes. His teams captured gold and silver at the Provincial Championships and gold at the Atlantic Championships. He was manager for the 2011 Canada Winter Games and is guest clinician for the 2015 Canada Winter Games Training Squad.

Sarah Doody of Saltos Gymanstics captured the Recreation Coach of the Year Award. She has developed and implemented programs that have resulted in a 48 per cent growth in membership for the club.

Andrea Barrett of Saltos Gymnastic was honored as Volunteer of the Year. Andrea currently acts in the capacity of Vice President for the club and has assisted the club by developing polices in Occupational Health and Safety and Gymnast Evaluation Program as well as a Parent Feedback Program.

GNL’s Leadership Award was awarded to Erica Devereaux, team captain for the 2011 women’s team at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

Following the awards luncheon a new Board of Directors was elected for 2011-2012. The members are:

Bob Godden – President
Owen Devereaux – Vice President
Rosalind Devereaux – Secretary
Paul Whitten – Treasurer
Directors At Large-
Denise May
Dr. Ken Budgell
Seamus O’Keefe
Trevor Bridger
Erin Brady

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Media contact:
Carol White
gymnastics@sportnl.ca

2011 09 30                              1:15 p.m.