Harbour Grace rolls out the brass for top athletes, and long serving volunteers
Members of a storied regional soccer team from yesteryear were among the athletes, coaches and volunteers highlighted at the Harbour Grace Sports Hall of Fame and Town Awards held at the Danny Cleary Community Centre on May 8.
The soccer team in question, which was inducted this year into the Harbour Grace Sports Hall of Fame, was the 2007 Earharts. It was a regional team consisting of players from Trinity Bay, Victoria, Salmon Cove, Carbonear, Harbour Grace, Spaniard's Bay, Bay Roberts, and Bryant's Cove. The team went undefeated in provincials, becoming champions. Several members went on to play with Memorial University, Team Newfoundland and Labrador, the university level of Team Canada, and for the province's female soccer crown, the Jubilee Cup.
In addition to their skill, the players' willingness to give back to the community was commended.
'It is felt that this female soccer team was the best to ever come out of the region,' said emcee Don Regular, a member of the Sports Museum and Hall of Fame Committee.
The Paul Moriarty Memorial Sport Volunteer Award went this year to Matthew Sheppard, a teacher at Carbonear Collegiate and coach of the Carbonear Sentinels Senior Boys Volleyball Team.
Sheppard created and organized the Sentinels Snowball Classic Senior High Boys Volleyball Tournament, a fundraiser for men's mental health. He also organized the first fall invitational volleyball tournament, with the team taking home the gold medal in Division 2.
'Mr. Sheppard goes above and beyond all aspects,' said Regular. 'He has made these teams the focus of all that he does. But more importantly, he focuses on developing more than just the sport.'
Regular said Sheppard prioritizes sportsmanlike conduct and is an uplifting and encouraging figure to his students.
The CeeBees Minor Hockey U18 Rep 1 Team received the Dick Power Memorial Award. The team has medaled at various invitational tournaments. They won the Don Osborne and Brandon Harris Memorial Trophy in February 2024, and won silver at the All-Newfoundland Provincial Hockey Tournament in Placentia. They were commended not just for their skill, but also their camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the pride they bring to the community.
Makenna Hunt is this year's recipient of the 1992 Summer Games Scholarship. Hunt has been involved in a number of sports throughout her high school career, including ice hockey, ball hockey, and soccer. She has received MVP awards in ice hockey and ball hockey and has volunteered with the Sparks and the CBN Minor Hockey Association, two groups which wrote letters of recommendation in her support. The Sparks noted that she inspired young girls and helped create a welcoming and safe space for them to learn, play, and grow. The CBN Minor Hockey Association said she helped foster a love of soccer in the youths.
The Sonia Williams Award for Junior Female Athlete of the Year went to Lily Moriarty. An avid soccer player, Moriarty played with a number of teams and participated in many tournaments and events, including the 2024 NL Summer Games. She also plays indoor soccer, hockey, and softball.
'She is dedicated to her own growth in every sport, but is more dedicated to her team's success and the overall performance of her team,' said Regular. 'She is a team player who is always there to help out her teammates in any way she can.'
The Jamie Korab Award for Junior Male Athlete of the Year went to Raymond Owusu-Ansah. The second-degree black belt in taekwondo is also a rower, having participated in the Harbour Grace and Placentia regattas, and has played on basketball teams for Carbonear Collegiate and is also a good volleyball player. Regular said Owusu-Ansah encourages his fellow athletes and prioritizes sportsmanship, serving as a role model for other students.
The Doris Murcell Memorial Award for Senior Female Athlete of the Year went to Jade Bennett, who plays soccer, volleyball, softball, ball hockey, and runs cross country. She has won various athletic awards and was commended for her hard work and sportsmanship. Regular said she is punctual, never missing practice and juggling sports when scheduling conflicts arise.
The S.W. Moores Memorial Award for Senior Male Athlete of the Year went to Hunter Williams. A member of the CeeBees Minor Hockey U18 Rep 1 Team, Williams is also a member of the Carbonear Collegiate senior high boys hockey team, soccer team, volleyball team, and softball team. In addition, he has competed in the Harbour Grace Regatta. Williams has been coaching younger players for several years in the CBN minor soccer program and hopes to become a physical education teacher. The S.W. Moores Memorial Award was presented to Hunter by his grandfather, Kevin Williams, who is also a member of the Harbour Grace Sports Hall of Fame.
In the municipal awards segment of the evening, Alan Cass, was awarded recognition by the mayor and council for his work with the War Memorial Public Library. Gord Taylor was also recognized for his many volunteer services, including with the TCP Health Foundation, and for being instrumental in the formation of the Harbour Grace South community council.
The members of the Town's own Civic Events Committee were also awarded for their work.
'They do everything professionally, they do everything properly, and the people that they have involved are second to none,' said Mayor Don Coombs.
Two municipal employees received Long Service Awards. The first was Dave Regular, who was awarded for 30 years of service. Mayor Coombs commended Regular for his volunteerism. 'If we've got a problem in the town he's there to help out. And he's been there for 30 years. He can't do enough,' said Coombs. At last year's reception, Regular also received an award for 45 years of service as a member of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The second Long Service Award went to Pat Hearn for 15 years of service. Hearn is the Town's public works superintendent. 'He's another person who goes above for the community,' said Coombs.
The rest of the Long Service Awards recipients were members of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. Awards for 30 years of service went to Shawn Baker, Alf Dove, Chris Noseworthy, Steve Verge, and Sonia Williams. Awards for 35 years of service went to Jim Barnes, the aforementioned Pat Hearn, and Harbour Grace Deputy Mayor Keith Skinner. Finally, an award for 45 years of service went to Paul Ash.
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