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Awards & Tributes

Sport Volunteer Awards

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We are proud to be celebrating our 34th year of the Sport Volunteer Awards, to honour volunteers who give their time and energy to sports in Hamilton. You can view a list of the main categories lower on this page.

An appreciation dinner is being planned at Liuna Station Banquet Hall (360 James St N, Hamilton) to celebrate the contributions of nominees and award winners on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Submit a Nomination

To nominate coaches, officials and administrative volunteers, fill out the nomination form by Friday November 22, 2024.

Learn More About the

Sport Volunteer Awards

Award Categories

Award Winners

The main categories for the Sport Volunteer Awards are:

The Distinguished Volunteer Award is for individuals who have contributed significantly to sport in the Hamilton community. Recipients are only eligible to receive this award once.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Has contributed in a voluntary capacity to sport in the Hamilton Community
Demonstrates initiative, leadership, and commitment to sport in Hamilton
Assists in the development of their sport and best practices within their volunteer role

The United Trophy Outstanding Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment as a volunteer in amateur sport and goes the extra mile to provide a safe and encouraging environment for sport development.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Currently volunteering in sport within the City of Hamilton
Has contributed to Hamilton sport in a volunteer capacity for more than 10 years
Providing quality sport opportunities within the City of Hamilton and engages the Canada Sport for Life principles (e.g. physical literacy)
Has had an impact on sport beyond their community or local sport association

The future of our community lies in the hands of our youth. The youth who receives this award has displayed integrity and pride while volunteering within the City of Hamilton. This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Must be a youth volunteering within the City of Hamilton
Involved in coaching, officiating, administering, or organizing sport
Has accumulated over 100 volunteer hours
Positive role model and represents the Hamilton Community with integrity and pride

Dr. Ray Johnson was an integral part of the Hamilton community. He dedicated many years to sport as a coach and a builder. He advocated for those in need and provided opportunities for many residents in the City of Hamilton. A selfless man who gave so much to the community.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Currently volunteering as a coach within the City of Hamilton
Demonstrated successes as a coach within their sport
Provides mentorship to players within their sport and is highly dedicated to their local sport organization
Shows a personal commitment to ongoing development and training and demonstrates leadership qualities on and off the playing surface

Rapid Ray Lewis was a Canadian track and field star in the 1930’s, born and raised in Hamilton. He was an Order of Canada recipient in 2001 and passed away in 2003. Ray was a role model and mentor to many students and young athletes throughout his life in sport and his teachings in the Hamilton school system.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Personally excelled in sport at the national and/or international level
Has made a significant contribution to the Hamilton community
Is a current volunteer that enhances quality sport opportunities in Hamilton
Demonstrates special leadership qualities that inspire and encourage others

Beginning as a basketball referee at McMaster University, Ron Foxcroft went on to an impressive career as the NCAA’s only Canadian basketball referee and officiated international basketball games in more than 30 countries, including the gold medal basketball game in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He was the only Canadian appointee to the National Association of Sports Officials board in the USA. Ron is known as much for his affection for sport and his entrepreneurial success as he is for his own athletic achievements and his desire to help youth.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Current official (e.g. referee, umpire, judge etc.) within the City of Hamilton
Goes above and beyond to represent the principles of fair play
Has played a key role in the development of officiating through the mentorship of officials within their sport
Shows a personal commitment to ongoing development and training and demonstrates leadership qualities on and off the playing surface

Dr. Gene Sutton was dedicated to quality amateur sport in the City of Hamilton. As a child and youth advocate, she believed in a holistic approach focusing on providing safe, healthy, and fun environments contributing to the development and growth of the whole child. The Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence Award was established in 2010 by the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services. It was designed to recognize local sport organizations/clubs that are implementing best practices in the delivery of quality child and youth programming to promote healthy living.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Excelled in increasing physical activity among their participants and encouraging healthy eating behaviours
Fostering a state of wellbeing in which every participant realizes their potential, develops tools to cope with the normal stresses of life, and is able to make a contribution to their community
Ensuring Hamilton children and youth have opportunities to participate in and live a healthy and active lifestyle

The Hamilton Hero Banner is certainly one of the most prestigious recognitions of the evening as it represents someone, who over time has been an outstanding athlete, major contributor or builder to sport in the City Of Hamilton. These special individuals have put Hamilton on the sport map across the country.

This award is presented to the nominee that best exemplifies these criteria:

Presented to an individual(s) that have been involved in either amateur or professional sport.
Representing Hamilton at various levels: Provincially, Nationally or Internationally
Has demonstrated outstanding level of achievement in their sport
Has demonstrated pride in and acknowledgement of their Hamilton roots
Has been able to inspire others in the community to reach their sport potential

Major Sport Volunteer Awards

Ray Lewis Athletic Excellence and Community Service Award
Steve Maga, Bishop Tonnos Secondary School

Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence Award
Fit Active Beautiful Foundation

Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award
Paul Johnson, Hamilton Board of Approved Basketball Officials

Dr. Ray Johnson Coaches Award
Joe Valvasori, Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club

United Trophy Outstanding VolunteerAward
Bill Robertson, Hamilton Olde Sports Slo-Pitch Association

Youth Sport Volunteer Award
Eryn Reader, Hamilton Olympic Club

Hero Banner Recipient
Glen Sonmor

 

Distinguished Sport Volunteer Awards

Akbar Haidary, Afghan Sports Federation of Canada
Alan Ellis, West Wentworth Interlock Soccer League
Brian Pavlic, St Martin of Tours Catholic Elementary
Bob Waite, 91st Highlanders Athletic Association
Chris Kusmirski, Steel City Patriots Football Club
Debbie Martin, Glanford Curling Club
Gina Fitzsimmons, Rosedale Youth Softball
Ian Boyter, Hamilton Hawks Girls Hockey
Jennie Rennie, Stoney Creek Athletics
Laura O'Neill, Stoney Creek Girls Hockey
Mark Simpson, Hamilton Bay Sailing Club
Michael Smith, Hamilton Olympic Club
Omair Lone, Hamilton Muslim Basketball Association
Paul Kennah, Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club
Paul Robertson, Flamborough Fire Basketball
Rene Juraschka, Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club
Rick Bakshi, Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School
Sheri Barberstock, Gourley Park Youth Baseball
Tammy Barberstock, Gourley Park Youth Baseball
Tauri Caputo, Hamilton Smash Volleyball Club
Tim Bowen, Ancaster Avalanche Gils Hockey Association
Tom Carney, Hamilton Olde Sports Slo-Pitch Association
Tony Carden, Lawfield Minor Hockey Association

Group photo

Major Sport Volunteer Awards

Ray Lewis Community Service Award
Dan Edwards, Hamilton Basketball Association

Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence Award
Rosedale Community Council - Youth Softball

Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award
Art Hughes, East Hamilton Soccer Club

Dr. Ray Johnson Coach of the Year Award
David Del Conte, Hamilton Victoria Curling Club

United Trophy Volunteer of the Year Award
Glenn Ostrosser, CANUSA

Youth Volunteer Award
Faisal Noor Mohamed, Neighbourhood Hoops

Hero Banner Recipient
Murray Oliver
Kimberly Ribble-Orr

 

Distinguished Sport Volunteer Awards

Pearson-Dunn Insurance Inc. Distinguished Volunteer Awards

Gary Brown, Stoney Creek Girls Hockey
John Carnahan, Hamilton Olde Sports Slo-Pitch Association
Norm Cumming, Ancaster Avalanche Girls Hockey
David Del Conte, Hamilton Victoria Curling Club
Kristina Dodd, Dundas Minor Hockey Association
Dan Edwards, Hamilton Basketball Association
Ivan Gojmerac, Hamilton Croatia
Robert Hampson, Hamilton Olde Sports Slo-Pitch Association
Stacey Holditch, Hamilton Lacrosse
Art Hughes, East Hamilton Soccer Club
Krystyna Lazar, Flamboro Skating Club
Ron Little, Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club
Dr. Balal Lone, Hamilton Muslim Basketball Association
Tom Montgomery, 91st Highlanders Athletic Association
Glenn Ostrosser, CANUSA
Julie Perri, Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club
Marcia Rennie, Stoney Creek Athletics
Marc Robertson, Rosedale Community Council - Youth Softball
Annamaria Trabucco, Arcelormittal Dofasco Grassroots Soccer Program
Marguerite Utter, West Wentworth Interlock Soccer League
Dave Walker, Hamilton Veterans Dart League
Marian Wiskar, Hamilton Skating Club

Group photo

Major Sport Volunteer Awards

Distinguished Sport Volunteer Awards

Pearson-Dunn Insurance Inc. Distinguished Volunteer Awards

Anthony Odoardi, Mt. Hamilton Youth Soccer
Barry Simmons, Gage Park Softball
Brian Beauvais, Hamilton Muslim Basketball
Frank Perin, Hamilton Croatia
Gord Vignault, 91st Highlanders
Jeremy Russell, Ancaster Soccer
Karl Quade, Ancaster Girls Hockey
Kathy Levy, Knot A Breast
Lisa Ciancone, Transway Basketball
Mike McDonald, Stoney Creek Minor Hockey
Misty Thaler, Central City Soccer
Paul Leslie, Hamilton Aquatic Club
Pauline Smith, Hamilton Olympic Club
Rhonda DeCoste, Rosedale Community Council Youth Softball
Rick Henry, Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club
Ron Lacroix, HOSSPA
Sam MacBeath, Steel City Patriots Football
Sandra Valvasori, Hamilton Sparta
Scott Hendry, Hamilton Hornets
Sue Zdero, Hamilton Serbian Youth Soccer
Sultana Simpson, Hamilton Girls Hockey
Tom Edwards, Hamilton Hornets
Troy Thompson, Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club
Vanessa Sarjeant, Stoney Creek Athletics
Wolfgang Ruschpler, Hamilton Veterans Dart League

Group photo

Major Sport Volunteer Awards

Hamilton Hero Banner
William “Billy” Sherring

Ray Lewis Community Service Award
Chelsey Nash, United Family Martial Arts

Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence
Blessed Sacrament Yellow Jackets Basketball Club

Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award
George Popovic, MJ League / Hamilton & District Soccer Association

Dr. Ray Johnson Coach of the Year Award
John Di Benedetto, Hamilton Wrestling Club

United Trophy Volunteer of the Year
Dave Glover, CANUSA Games
John Wade, CANUSA Games

Distinguished Sport Volunteer Awards

City of Hamilton Distinguished Youth Awards

Kyle Burley, East Mountain Baseball
Whitney Sarjeant, Stoney Creek Athletics

Pearson-Dunn Insurance Inc. Distinguished Volunteer Awards

Dave Burton, Ontario Thunderbirds
Randy Chapple, Gourley Park Community Association
Heidi Davidson, Hamilton Olympic Club
Ron Decoste, Rosedale Community Council Softball
John Di Benedetto, Hamilton Wrestling Club
Angelo Dicesare, Hamilton Olympic Club/CANUSA
Monika Dicesare, Hamilton Olympic Club/CANUSA
John Gibson, Hamilton & District Soccer Association
Dave Glover, CANUSA Games
Vincas Gudinskas, CYO Basketball
Guido Kelly, West Mountain Baseball Association
Nadia Mcintyre, Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer
Sean Mcphee, Hwcdsb/Bishop Tonnos Junior Football
Mary Melfi, East Hamilton Soccer Club
Peter Oddi, Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club
Marline Sarjeant, Stoney Creek Athletics
Nancy Simmons, Gage Park Softball Association
John Spice, Steel City Patriots Football
Paula Swick, Special Olympics Hamilton
Maureen Truman, Hamilton Ladies Slow Pitch
Theresa Vickery, Scott Park Baseball & Hockey
Daryl Villeneuve, Lawfield Minor Hockey & Hamilton Council
Cristina Volpini, Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer
John Wade, CANUSA Games
Lewis Walker, Steel City Patriots Football
Barry Wallace, Flamborough Minor Hockey Association
Tim Wilson, Hamilton Wildcats Aussie Rules Football

Date modified

October 22, 2024