Tourism, Culture and Recreation
May 1, 2013
 
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation:
 

Minister Congratulates Newest Members of Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame and 2012 Provincial Athlete Award Winners

I rise in this Honourable House to recognize athletes honoured at Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s recent Stars and Legends Awards Gala. This annual event involves the induction of new members into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame and the presentation of sports awards that recognize athletic achievements in the province.
 
Mr. Speaker, Raeleen Baggs, Linda Barrett, Alan Ross, Wayne Russell and Nicola Will are the newest members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame. These women and men have achieved much throughout their sporting careers and have set a wonderful example for our province’s up-and-coming young athletes and our sports community.
 
In addition to the induction ceremony, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador honoured the province’s top athletes. Basketball player Hannah Jardin, baseball player Myles Vincent, swimmer Katarina Roxon, rugby player Ciaran Hearn, baseball executive Robert Morgan, softball coach Jeff Kirk, gymnastics volunteer Lindsay Rayner and the 3Cheers Pub softball team are to be congratulated. All of these recipients are truly deserving of such an honour as they have put forth tremendous effort and commitment to their chosen sport.
 
Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government is committed to providing provincial athletes with every opportunity to explore their potential in sport performance. This is done through the Premier’s Athletic Awards Program, the Elite Athlete Assistance Program, the National Travel Subsidy Initiative, and funding to provincial sports organizations.
 
I am pleased to report Mr. Speaker, that 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. That kind of investment helps our athletes compete at the highest level, and will support the members of Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec, this August.
I invite all members of this Honourable House to join with me in congratulating these women and men for their hard work, dedication, and the significant role they play in the advancement of sport throughout the province.
 
2013 05 01                                        2:15 p.m.