The Brantford Sports Council hosted their 20th annual Sports Awards and Recognition Ceremonies on Saturday April 18, 2026 at the Laurier Research and Academic Centre to recognize the achievements of local athletes, coaches, officials, teams, volunteers and sponsors.
Brantford Sports Council
421 Fairview Drive, Apt. 607
Brantford, ON N3R 7M3
Female Youth Leadership
Phyllis Gretzky was likely the least famous member of Canada’s first family of hockey but many will tell you that she was the most important one. It was her dedication to her family that allowed Wayne to have the kind of success that he did. She was the family stalwart who kept everything cool and collected throughout Wayne’s rise to stardom, doing whatever was necessary behind the scenes to make sure that everything was as normal as possible. Her quiet leadership was the glue that kept the family foundation together.
Sponsor: The La Ronde Family
2023 Lauren Cohoon
2022 Cassidy Chapin
2022 Marissa Wheeler
2021 Kara Hughes
2019 Kendra Perras
2018 Alexa Windle
2017 Emily Rickwood
2016 Madison MacBride
2015 Kendra Van Leeuwen
2014 Gabrielle Marton
2013 Alexa Aquino
2012 Jerika Baldin
2011 Emma Woods
2010 Kelly Van Leeuwen
2009 Erika Polidori
2008 Erika Gardiner
2007 Chantique Payne
2006 Meghan Blunt
2005 Brittany Stickle
Male Youth Leadership
Frank Bricker was a legend in the sport of boxing known by many in the ranks of Ontario Boxing as ‘Mr. Boxing.’ He was best known in Brantford for his leadership in the development of the Summerhays boys, the three boxing brothers who competed in national and international level competitions. In 1970 all three turned pro and became the only set of three brothers to compete on the same card at Madison Square Garden, an accomplishment that can be attributed to Bricker’s work. Through his efforts Frank put Brantford on the world boxing map for his ability to teach and train high calibre boxers.
Sponsor: Larry Brock, MP Brantford-Brant
2023 Jackson Smiley
2022 Hunter Ballantyne
2021 Josh Linington
2019 Toren Burr
2018 Ethan Jamieson
2017 Cole Belkwell
2016 Andrew Advincula
2015 Kyle Madden
2014 Bradley Ward
2013 Tanner Baldin
2012 Mitch Santilli
2011 Tyler Van Leeuwen
2010 Andrew Wilhelm
2009 Derek Quick
2008 Traynor Turkiewicz
2007 Matthew Stephenson
2006 Tyler Padmore
2005 Mike Kellam
Team of the Year
Jimmy Wilkes has been a legend of baseball in this community ever since arriving to play with the Brantford Red Sox in 1953. He was involved with the league as a player and umpire for over 30 years. His quiet leadership helped lead the Brantford Red Sox to several championships as well as with the development of many players throughout the Inter-County league and Brantford Minor Baseball.
Sponsor: Aucoin Investments Inc.
2023 Brantford Bobcats U15 Tier 2 Fastpitch Team
2022 BCI Junior Boys Rugby Team
2021 BCI Senior Girls Basketball Team
2019 Brantford Minor Hockey Peewee AAA Team
2018 Brantford Minor Hockey Minor AAA Midget
2017 Brantford City U18 Girls Elite Soccer Team
2016 Brantford Ice Cats Midget AA Girls Hockey Team
2015 St.Johns College Senior Girls Basketball
2014 BCI Senior Girls’ Rugby
2013 Bantam AA Boys’ Hockey
2012 Brantford Bantam A Ice Cats
2011 ACS Junior Football
2010 ACS Senior Football
2009 SJC Senior Girls’ Basketball
2008 BCI Senior Boys’ Rugby
2007 Brantford Vicano Force
2006 Red Sox AAA Minor Bantam
2005 ACS Senior Girls’ Basketball
Coach of the Year
John Macklin began coaching and officiating track and field in Brantford from 1966 until 1994. During that time he helped coach many athletes from Brantford including Liz Polyak, Kevin Sullivan and Rick Mannen, who would go on to national and international competitions. Along the way he became a respected official on the international stage officiating at almost every national and international meet in Canada during the 1970’s and 1980’s. In addition to coaching and officiating, John was also the organizer of the Brant County track and field and cross country championships for many years.
Sponsor: The Macklin Family
2023 Peter Lovett
2022 Steve Patrella
2021 Alison Purkiss
2019 Cory Currie
2018 Sean Doucette
2017 Todd Andrew
2016 Garth Rickwood
2015 Sean Doucette
2014 Matt Lynch
2013 Scott Chapman
2012 Marc Cohoon
2011 Kent Dixon
2010 Hugo DeGrandis
2009 Steve Van Leeuwen
2008 Peter Pomponio
2007 Kris Kusch
2006 Todd Bannister
2005 Tennyson Ulysse
Sportsmanship and Dedication
Kevin Finney loved all sports but his heart was in the arena with his hockey skates and stick. He shared this passion and skill with his daughters, Bella and Emma, and helped any way he could to instill life skills learned through sport and being part of a team. He was a beloved friend and respected colleague whose leadership, integrity and keen ability to bring people together toward shared goals. Kevin would be honoured to know that this award is being named in his memory.
Sponsor: The Finney Family
2023 Mason Steedman
2022 Hunter Payne
2021 Maddie Campbell
2019 Angela Marina
2018 Jacob Alway
2017 Meghan Josling
2016 Nigel Weir
2015 Daniel Weagle
2014 Kyleigh Farmer
2013 Meagan Hart
2012 Kaleigh Russell
2011 Sara Stephenson
2010 Madison Parks
2009 Beth Paulins
Sports Volunteer of the Year
George Churchill would have found himself nominated for this award for decades, if it had existed during his time. His tireless work with the track and field program allowed Brantford to become a hub for some of the best competitions in the sport. He was the man behind the organization and executions of just about every meet during the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. He was also the coach of Brantford’s first track and field member, Debbie Miller, who competed at the 1968 Olympics.
Sponsor: St. Louis Bar & Grill
2023 Tina Hedley
2022 Connie Martin
2022 Sandra Gagne
2021 Brandi Schott
2021 Jen Nagy
2019 Dan Davis
2018 Lisa Link
2017 Connie Pomerleau
2016 Rob Dallaway
2015 Frank Vieira
2014 John Vallee
2013 Jason LaRonde
2012 Kim Mitchell
2011 Thom Foster
2010 John Edgar
2009 Suzanne Paulins
2008 Gerard Burke
2007 Bob Boos
2006 Shawn Burtnick
2005 Keith Smitiuch
Lifetime Sports Volunteerism
George Jones will forever be remembered as the man who built the sport of rugby with his bare hands. He started the Brantford Harlequins Rugby Club in 1950, and used his own money to purchase the land on which to build the rugby club. During his 50+ years as a player and coach of the sport, George helped to develop decades of championship teams and high calibre athletes. His development of the sport locally was just part of his accomplishment, as he is directly responsible for most of the rugby clubs and school programs that can be found in South Western Ontario. His tireless dedication to the sport is shown in every athlete who played for George, and his love for the game has built a sports legacy in our community.
Sponsor: Brantford Harlequins Rugby Football Club
2023 Ross Enslev
2022 Rick & Sandy Beedham
2022 Suzanne Paulins
2022 Thom Foster
2021 Janet Clarke
2021 Dennis Duce
2021 Brent Hutchinson
2021 Jason Nagy
2019 Bill Williams
2018 Stan Worosz
2017 Cathy Drinkwater
2016 Rick and Josie Mannen
2015 Todd Bannister
2015 Bob Boos
2015 Mick Ferras
2015 Paul Yurcich
2014 Tracy Oldroyd
2013 Bob Coyne
2013 Paul Wilson
2012 Dave Shewfelt
2011 Jim Searle
2010 Edith Hayman
2009 Ben Harris
2008 Kathy Brachlow
2007 Jeff Lee
2006 Gary Foy
2005 Walter Gretzky
Lifetime Sports Sponsorship
Jack Calbeck was known for his leadership in Brantford’s business community for many years and his generosity for countless worthwhile causes. He always had a passion for sports and was a great supporter of many sports teams at all levels. Jack was not only generous with his time but also with his financial support for minor sports.
Sponsor: Calbeck Investments Inc.
2023 Bernie & Keri Korfmann, Tim Hortons
2022 Cowan Insurance Group
2022 Giant Tiger
2022 Renway Energy
2021 Aucoin Investments Inc.
2021 Brant Mutual Insurance Company
2021 Strodes BBQ & Deli
2021 Sherwood Restaurant
2019 Boyle Plumbing & Heating Co. Ltd.
2019 Domino's Pizza
2019 Lanca Contracting Ltd.
2018 Millards Chartered Professional Accountants
2017 Levac’s Trophies
2016 Gates Canada Inc.
2015 Brant Naval Veterans Association
2014 Darren and Michele Dedobbelaer
2013 Bob Wilson – McDonald’s
2012 Roger Davis – Davis Fuels
2011 Boston Pizza
2010 Tim Horton’s
2009 Brant Branch Foresters
2008 Bison’s Alumni
Excellence in Sports Officiating
This award is being presented as a positive recognition for the dedication of our sports officials. Most officials prefer not to be noticed, especially during a contest. Unfortunately to many times sports officials receive unwanted and sometimes unnecessary attention. What is not well known is the amount of time that officials spend on their development, training and mentoring of younger officials.
Sponsor: Larry Brock
2023 Dennis Brayshaw
2022 DJ McQueen
2022 Jim Chmiel
2022 Shannon Scheffel
2022 Sue Grinton
2021 David Beech
2019 Mark Baxter
2018 George Whittingham
2017 Neil Macdonald
2016 Robbie Vipond
2015 Suzanne Paulins
2014 Hugh Coleman
Sportsperson of the Year
This award is named in honour of the late Frank Tomlin, who passed away in 1976. Tomlin is remembered as a great sports fan that was passionate about his city and those who represented it. Gord Showler, who at the time of Frank’s death was a sponsor of the Brantford Junior ‘B’ franchise, initiated the award. Each year the Frank Tomlin award recognizes an individual from Brantford whose contributions to sport has had a great impact on this community.
Sponsor: The Bisons Alumni
This is the first year that Domino's presented a $1,000 Bursary to a Male and Female athlete.
Congratulations to the 2023 recipients Jackson Smiley and Jessica La Ronde.
The Brantford Sports Council would like to thank Domino's for their generosity and ongoing support
of youth sports in our community.
The Domino’s $1,000 Bursary is awarded annually to a Male and Female athlete graduating from high school who
will be attending a recognized post-secondary institution. The Bursary will provide financial assistance to help with
educational fees and or the cost of books.
