The Brantford Sports Council is pleased to announce that Erika Polidori is the recipient of the Frank Tomlin Memorial Award for the 2021 Sportsperson of the Year.

Erika joins an exclusive group of past recipients who have significantly contributed to sport in Brantford and area. The award named after Frank Tomlin is sponsored by the Brantford Bisons Alumni and has been presented annually since its inception in 1976. Rick Mannen, Chair of the Selection Committee, presented the award at the 17th annual Brantford Sports Council Sports Awards and Recognition Ceremonies held on March 12, 2022 at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts.

Erika Polidori wanted to play for Team Canada since attending the 2008 Canada Cup with her summer team the Brantford Bobcats. She joined the Junior Women’s National Team in 2010 when she competed in the Futures Division of the Canada Cup, the WBSC Americas Qualifier and went on to represent Canada at the 2011 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship. She made the senior team in 2013, competing in the World Cup of Softball and the WBSC Americas Qualifier. In 2014, she competed in her first WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship. She was also part of the national team at the 2016 and 2018 Worlds, where she helped Canada take home bronze both times.

In 2015, Polidori led Team Canada with a batting average of .455 at the Pan American Games in Toronto, contributing to the team’s gold medal win over the United States. She added a Pan Am Games silver at Lima 2019 and then a few weeks later hit .375 with three doubles as Canada booked its ticket to Tokyo 2020 at the WBSC Americas Olympic Qualifier. In her Olympic debut, Polidori recorded two hits, four walks, and two RBI as Canada won the bronze medal.

In her senior season at Oakland University in 2014 she led her team in most offensive categories including hits (41), runs (27), doubles (12), home runs (5), runs batted in (22) and stolen bases (15). Polidori earned honours all four years at Oakland, including being named All-Horizon League First Team in 2014. She finished her collegiate career with a .333 batting average, 70 RBI, and 50 steals in 154 games.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Olympic Games Tokyo: 2020 BRONZE
Pan American Games: 2019 SILVER; 2015 GOLD
WBSC World Championships: 2018 BRONZE; 2016 BRONZE, 2014 4th
WBSC Americas Qualifiers: 2019 SILVER; 2017 BRONZE; 2013 SILVER