Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
April 27, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development:

Minister Congratulates Stars and Legends Honourees

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's annual Stars and Legends Awards Gala, which was held earlier this month. During the event, eight provincial awards were presented to some of this year's outstanding athletes and six individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

It was an exciting year for Newfoundland and Labrador athletes, Mr. Speaker, as many achieved success on the local, national and international stage. There was an impressive group of nominees at this year's ceremony, with the awards going to softball player Sean Cleary as Senior Male Athlete of the Year; runner Jillian Forsey as Senior Female Athlete of the Year; hockey's Clark Bishop as Junior Male Athlete of the Year; baseball's Heather Healey as Junior Female Athlete of the Year; softball's John Hill as Coach of the Year; Memorial University's Women's Soccer Team, the Sea-Hawks, as Team of the Year; and baseball's Mark Healey as both Executive of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Mr. Speaker I congratulate all the award winners for the hard work and dedication which led them to be honoured.

Meanwhile, six inductees into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame were honoured for a lifetime of commitment to sport. Paul Barron, George Connors, Bill Davis, Carla Edwards, Deon Goulding and Trevor O'Brien have contributed as athletes, builders, or both, and are to be commended for the contribution to sports in this province.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development is committed to supporting sport, physical activity and recreation at all levels. We continue to support our athletes through the Athletic Excellence Fund, which includes the Premier's Athletic Awards Program and the Elite Athlete Assistance Program; the National Travel Subsidy Initiative; and Canada Games funding. We also provide support to athletes and coaches through various provincial sport organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to congratulate Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, and all provincial sport organizations, for their ongoing commitment to amateur sport in this province, and also thank our athletes, coaches, managers, parents and volunteers who support athletic excellence at every level.

I ask that my colleagues in this House join me in congratulating this year's Sport Newfoundland and Labrador provincial award recipients and Hall of Fame inductees.

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2015 04 27                              1:50 p.m.