NEWS: Honouring Ontario’s Athletes: Backgrounder
RECIPIENTS OF THE 2008 ONTARIO SPORT AWARDS
March 27, 2009
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Eric Lamaze, Equestrian (Schomberg, Ontario)
Eric won a Gold medal in Individual Show Jumping at the 2008 Olympic Games. He became the first Canadian ever to win equestrian Gold as an Individual. He also won silver in Equestrian Team Jumping in Beijing, which was the first time Canada won an Olympic medal in equestrian show jumping since 1976. In 2007, he became the first Canadian rider in 20 years to be world-ranked in the Top 10. He is currently ranked 1st in the world.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Karen Cockburn, Gymnastics (Stouffville, Ontario)
Karen earned her third consecutive Olympic medal in 2008, when she won silver at the Beijing Olympics. She was also honoured at the Olympics by being named the Canadian Flag-bearer at the closing ceremonies.
Karen’s first time on a trampoline was at workshop run by her current coach, Dave Ross, when she was eleven years old.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY RECIPIENT
Jason Dunkerley, Para-Athletics, Track (Ottawa, Ontario)
Jason was in an accident three years ago, and unable to train for 2 months. Determined to compete in the Beijing Paralympic Games he worked hard to recover, and qualified. He took home a bronze medal in the
T-11 1500 meter race. He also finished first in the 800 meter race, and second in the 400 meter race at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in 2008.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY RECIPIENT
Chelsey Gotell, Swimming (Hamilton, Ontario)
Chelsey captured five medals at the 2008 Paralympics, and achieved a gold medal in the 100 meter backstroke in record breaking time. She went on to win a second gold in the 200 meter individual medley SM13 classification in a world-record beating time. Chelsey is also an ambassador for Swim Ontario, and mentor to younger athletes in the “Swimmers with a Disability” program.
MALE COACH OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Dave Ross, Gymnastics (Thornhill, Ontario)
Dave is an exceptional coach who has dedicated his life to enriching the lives of all those who train with him. He led the Canadian Trampoline Team to many successes in 2008 including: two silver medals at the 2008 Olympics, and 12 first place finishes in other competitions throughout the year.
FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Denise Kelly, Cycling (Glen Williams, Ontario)
Denise began her coaching career in the 1980’s, and today, she is the Provincial Coaching Director for the Ontario Cycling Association. In 2008, her athletes saw many successes. As Assistant Coach for Team Canada at the 2008 Pan-American Championships, Canada won 4 gold medals and 1 silver. She was also Head Coach at the 2008 Road Nationals, where Team Ontario won 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals.
TEAM OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Canadian Show Jumping Team, Equestrian (Ontario Equestrian Federation)
Mac Cone of King City, Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, and Ian Millar of Perth, completed the Team Final with a total score of 20 faults forcing a jump-off with the United States. The team claimed the silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games - the first Canadian Olympic medal in equestrian show jumping in 32 years.
The Rolf Lund Jule Nisse Award Recipient: Recognizes volunteers who have made a “playground to podium” commitment to sport, by serving as a coach, official, a member of a mission team, or a board member.
John Armitage, Rowing (Kingston, Ontario)
John is a founding member of the Kingston Rowing Club, and has been a board member for over 31 years. Since the creation of the club, John has held several positions, including: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraiser, Director of Equipment and Director of Recreation Rowing. He is also a certified Rowing Canada Official, and has been a coach for Queen’s University for 30 years.
Syl Apps Special Achievement Award Recipients: Recognizes volunteers who contribute to sport development in the province.
Allan Brunt, Curling, (Williamsburg, Ontario)
Mary Burdon, Figure Skating (London, Ontario)
Dirk Drieberg, Baseball (Maple, Ontario)
William Duffield, Golf (Kitchener, Ontario)
Wendy Evans, Special Olympics (Port Elgin, Ontario)
Earl Farrell, Athletics (Port Elgin, Ontario)
Geordie Farrell, Athletics (Port Elgin, Ontario)
Gerhard Griebenow, Gymnastics (Waterloo, Ontario)
Brenda Hamilton, 5 Pin Bowling (Waterloo, Ontario)
Laurie Herd, Rowing (Orillia, Ontario)
David Howard, Squash (Simcoe, Ontario)
Chuck Lee, Judo (Welland, Ontario)
Martha Lloyd-Smith, Equestrian (Markham, Ontario)
Glenn Meeuwisse, Cycling (Orillia, Ontario)
Dave Minden, Cross Country Skiing (Astorville, Ontario)
Jos Nederveen, Volleyball (Dundas, Ontario)
Walter Piovesan, OFSAA (Ottawa, Ontario)
Dick Prescott, Hockey (North Bay, Ontario)
Tammie Thibault, Soccer (Sudbury, Ontario)
Lynda Turton, Softball (Port Colborne, Ontario)
Corporate Sport Citations Award Recipients: Recognizes corporations that are leaders in supporting sport.
Bic Inc (Squash Ontario)
Carter Car and Truck Rentals (Sailing Ontario Sailing Association)
Investors Group (Golf Association of Ontario)
Kruger Products Limited (Curling Ontario Curling Association)
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OFSAA)
Rewarding Feedback (Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers' Association)
Reynold Cycle (Row Ontario)
Score Television Network (Ontario University Athletics)
Shoppers Home Health Care (ParaSport Ontario)
Tommy & Lefebvre (Ontario Tennis Association)
Umbro Canada (Ontario Soccer Association)
VSP Sports (Ontario Volleyball Association)
Dipika Damerla, Minister’s Office, 416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg, Communications, 416-326-4833
