By Charlene Tebbutt

Into the hall

Local residents inducted into sports hall of fame

Feb 15, 2019 | 5:01 PM

The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame has announced their 2019 inductees, celebrating the efforts of coaches and athletes from a variety of local sports organizations.

Nine local residents and a community organization were recognized at an event Friday. Inductees were recognized in three categories, including athlete, community builder and meritorious service.

Long-time teacher Paul Roy and his good friend Mark McElligott are being inducted into the hall of fame for their work starting and developing a local high school rugby program, and later, the Prince Albert Dragons of the North Saskatchewan Junior Rugby League. Both are being recognized in the builder category.

Roy spoke to paNOW Friday, saying he and McElligott enjoyed helping local youngsters learn and grow. Sports can be a great teacher, he added, both on the field and off.

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“You’re imparting knowledge on them about a game and a sport, but you’re also teaching them to be on time, that attendance counts, that you have to set goals,” he said. “Each year, as they climb that great sort of a ladder of abilities, but they’re getting more and more mature as a person and finding out who they are, as opposed to just showing up, you get to see them develop.”

Other nominees include Derek Smith, who was feted earlier this month as one of two local citizens of the year for their work on the 2018 World Junior Softball Championships. Smith is a triple inductee into the hall of fame, being recognized as an athlete, builder and service.

Athlete and community volunteer Blair Hoffman has been recognized for his efforts as well, including his work with local minor hockey, soccer, softball and ringette groups. Hoffman also spent 30 years with the City of Prince Albert’s recreation departments.

Luc Robin will join the hall of fame in the meritorious service category for his work as a minor hockey coach and volunteer for the last 33 years and as a coach for local softball teams.

In the builder category, Ward 6 City Coun. Blake Edwards has been recognized for his efforts as a founding member of Ringside Fitness Centre, which helped rejuvenate the sport of boxing in Prince Albert. Don and Ethel Hlewka, long-time operators of Minto Bowl in Prince Albert, have also been recognized as builders.

In the athlete category, Brad Bibby, who excelled in both softball and curling, and spends time volunteering as a coach as well, including with the Prince Albert Junior Curling League. The Prince Albert Gymnastics Club will be inducted into the hall of fame as the 2019 Organization of the Year. The club has grown exponentially in recent years and hosted numerous successful competitions, drawing competitors, coaches and families to Prince Albert each year.

Ellen Grewcock, president of the Prince Albert Hall of Fame said it’s important to recognize the efforts of those who help put Prince Albert on the sports map. The efforts of local athletes, coaches and volunteers allows others to participate and excel in a range of sports at all levels, she said.

“We teach our children to thank somebody for something, and please and thank yous, and I think if all our kids are raised like that, then we remember as adults to say thank you to those who had done all this in our community,” Grewcock said.

The 2019 inductees will be celebrated at an event April 27. Nominations for the 2020 sports hall of fame awards are now open and Grewcock encouraged local residents to nominate someone for a sport award.

(Photo: Charlene Tebbutt/ paNOW Staff)

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt