Top Athletes/Volunteers named for 2012

The Mount Pearl Sport alliance announced its top award winners for 2012 at the Annual Sports Hall of Fame & Athlete of the Year Awards Ceremony on January 25.

Rugby player Charlene Barter was named Female Athlete of the Year. Charlene has played with the Dogs Rugby Club for the past 15 years; played for the Province in Eastern Canadian Championships; and has been selected to play for national team. In 2012 she is playing with University Cook College in Ireland, and selected as starting Scrum Half for the Leinster Senior Women’s team in All-Ireland competition.

Patrick O’Keefe took honours as the Male Athlete of the Year, recognizing his performance in ball and ice hockey. Patrick plays with St. Mary’s University Huskies hockey turning out impressive stats.  He was chosen to play the Provincial All-Star Ball Hockey Game after his team won the Provincial Senior “A championships, and selected for the Team Canada Ball Hockey 2013.

The 2012 Coach of the Year Award went to Scott Gordon in recognition of his work with Mount Pearl Minor Hockey, Junior High Hockey, High School Hockey, Junior “B” Hockey, and Team Atlantic which competed in the World U-17 Challenge. In the words of MPMHA, “Scott is a consummate professional who takes his role as coach and mentor very seriously. He is the best coach we have and we are lucky to have him.”

The Peter Halliday Memorial Award for Executive of the Year went to Jim Bulger of Mount Pearl Youth Bowling. As Program Director Jim has coordinated or taken the direct lead on a wide array of projects in 2012, including finding a new home for the program and recruiting volunteers for future leadership. He organized fundraising, coordinated travel and accommodation for team travel in the Province, and led the organization of the 2012 National Championships hosted by his club, with the Mount Pearl Girl’s Team winning the National Championship. He also worked with the MP Soccer 40^th Anniversary Committee to produce a commemorative book.

Congratulations to this year's award winners and to all our award finalists, in both athlete and volunteer categories.  You do us proud!!