There was a large contingent of northern Wellington County representation at the Volunteer in Sports Awards honouring recipients for their tireless efforts in support of young athletes.
The recent event was held at Stratford City Hall auditorium where Perth Wellington MPP?John Wilkinson said “Each of our successful recipients is to be congratulated for the many selfless hours of volunteer service they provide for our youth and their favourite Sports organizations. These special people spend their time helping our young athletes reach their dreams and potential – and they make us so proud.”
“As we near the 2010 Olympics, our riding is celebrating together all of our unsung heroes in sport and recreation. Whether a coach, trainer, administrator or convenor; thank you for sharing with all of us your personal commitment to our young people.”
Wilkinson noted that Sports volunteers each contribute an average of 143 hours/year to sport events alone. According to a Sport Alliance Ontario report from 2005 this translates into 167 million hours.
Guest speaker Tim Taylor, Former Captain of the Tampa Bay Lightening.
About the recipients:
Jim Donald
With more than 30 years of coaching experience, paired with great dedication to his players, Jim Donald has been inspiring and motivating youth in Wellington North.
Donald’s passion for hockey and baseball is matched by his passion to see skill development and personal growth in every one of his players. Jim is also known in his community for his great generosity, always lending a helping hand or making donations for the minor sport programs. Nominated by Sarah Bowers-Peter, Donald has been successfully teaching and inspiring the youth of Wellington North.
David Franklin
For over thirty years, David Franklin has been a dedicated minor Sports volunteer in the Township of Mapleton.
Affectionately nick-named Mr. Baseball by the community, Franklin first took on the role of coach when his two sons started to play ball and immediately took great interest in the minor Sports program, overseeing the maintenance of the baseball diamonds, and in the winter months as coach and executive of PMD Minor Hockey Association.
Nominated by Mayor John Green, on behalf of the Township of Mapleton, David Franklin, through his many hours as a Sports volunteer, has undeniably influenced hundreds of youth in his community.
Teresa Teune
Over the years as a life time resident of the Town of Minto, Teresa Teune had been an active Sports volunteer for many years. Whether tirelessly involving herself with the Harriston Division Soccer Club as an executive and coach, or with the Harriston Skating Club, Teune is a great asset to the Harriston-Minto sporting community.
Nominated by Miles Shiels and Al Carr, Teune has not only inspired her own children, but also hundreds of youth involved in athletics in the Town of Minto.
Lisa Veld
For the past eight years, Lisa Veld has dedicated herself to the Minto Optimist Club, wearing many hats within the organization. Whether acting as President in the executive, running the concession at tournaments to fishing derby’s, President of the Palmerston Junior Broomball association, or as a parent volunteer with the PMD Minor Hockey Association, Veld is always content to lend a helping hand. Nominated by Al Carr for her dedication to her community, Veld will surely continue to tirelessly volunteer in the Town of Minto sporting community.
Al Walter
Year round, Al Walter can be found accessing the sporting facilities at the Palmerston and District Community Centre. From overseeing a six-team ball hockey league in the summer months to acting as an executive with the Junior Broomball program, to establishing an annual Junior Broomball tournament, or serving on the Central Western Ontario Broomball Association, Walter is always active in his sporting community.
Nominated by Al Carr, Walter’s dedication and leadership has provided the Minto community great opportunities and sporting growth.
