Curling was well represented at this year’s ParaSport Ontario’s Evening of Inclusion – with two of the night’s awards going to long time curlers/curling volunteers.
Ernie Comerford was honoured with the Ron Foster Award. Ernie has been along time Curling Coach specializing in Wheelchair curling in the London area.
The RON FOSTER award has been designed to recognize volunteers at the Provincial level who have dedicated their time and energy towards the delivery of opportunities for athletes with a physical disability in sport and recreation. Ron Foster was Chair of the Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled (OGPD) in 1985. He became Chair of the Ontario Games Council, a position he retained for a number of years. He was also a big supporter of Sport for Disabled – Ontario (now ParaSport Ontario). The Ron Foster Award was created in honour of all his volunteer work on behalf of SDO (now PO) and Games. Candidates must have continuously demonstrated leadership at the Provincial level by helping to develop opportunities for athletes with a disability. In addition, candidates must be a registered volunteer in good standing with an MSO/PSO participating in the Ontario ParaSport Games Program and must have volunteered for that MSO/PSO for ten years continuously.
Ernie Comerford (top left) pictured with, Tom Ward, ParaSport Ontario/OCA (retired), Chris Rees (Wheelchair Curler) and Shauna Petrie (Wheelchair Curler).
Gary Saxon, lead for the Dundas Blind Curling Team was awarded the Bob Secord Award. In addition to playing, Gary serves at the President of the Ontario Blind Curling Association and was an instrumental person in getting Visually Impaired Curling included as a new discipline in this year’s ParaSport Winter Games.
The BOB SECORD Award recognizes an athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of the “Ontario ParaSport Games” demonstrating performance and achievements as an athlete, one who is a role model to fellow athletes and one who has demonstrated camaraderie and leadership on and off the field of competition. Bob Secord’s life long contribution to the development and advancement of people through participation in sport and athletic endeavors is well-known to Canada’s athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, organizers, volunteers and the media. In recognition of Bob’s achievements, his family decided to initiate the Bob Secord Award of Excellence to be presented at the Ontario Summer and Winter Games, the Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled (now called the Ontario ParaSport Summer Games / the Ontario ParaSport Winter Games) and the Ontario Senior Games.
Gary Saxon, pictured above receives the Bob Secord Award at ParaSport Ontario’s Evening for Inclusion.
Please join us in congratulating both Ernie and Gary for these well deserved honours – thank you for your contributions to Ontario’s Para-curling.
