Provincial Athletes and Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Honoured

The province’s top athletes and newest Sports Hall of Fame members were honoured this past weekend at the 2013 Stars and Legends Awards Gala hosted by Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, attended the event and congratulated the recipients.

“Each year this highly anticipated event pays tribute to the athletic accomplishments of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s sport elite, both past and present,” said Minister French. “Athletic excellence and the advancement of sport continue to flourish in our province through the efforts of our athletes, teams, coaches, as well as the extraordinary achievements of our Hall of Fame members. I commend all award winners for setting a strong example and a high standard for those who follow them.”

The evening included the induction of five new members to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame and the presentation of the 2012 Provincial Sport Awards. A list of the recipients can be found in the backgrounder below.

"This year's group of annual award winners have enjoyed outstanding success in their sports in 2012,” said Rod Nichol, President, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. “Once again the quality of the annual award finalists, winners and Hall of Fame inductees speaks volumes to the tremendous amount of talent we have in our province. They should all be very proud of their accomplishments and contributions to sport."

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides $7.7 million to support recreation and sport in the province. Since the launch of Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador: A Recreation and Sport Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, approximately $172 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province.

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BACKGROUNDER

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame Inductees and Award Recipients

• Raeleen (Dunne) Baggs - Soccer
• Linda (Winter) Barrett – Basketball and Field Hockey
• Alan Ross - Soccer
• Wayne Russell - Ice Hockey
• Nicola Will – Athletics

Provincial Sport Award Recipients:

• Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Hannah Jardin
• Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Myles Vincent
• Senior Female Athlete of the Year – Katarina Roxon
• Senior Male Athlete of the Year – Ciaran Hearn
• Executive of the Year – Robert Morgan
• Coach of the Year – Jeff Kirk
• Volunteer of the Year – Lindsay Rayner
• Team of the Year – 3Cheers Pub Softball Team

2013 04 08                             11:40 a.m.