Nominate a deserving athlete, volunteer, coach, official, team or sponsor from our community for one of the Brantford Sports Council Awards.
Fill out a nomination form today!
Award Winners
The Phyllis Gretzky Memorial Award - 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.
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
The Frank Bricker Memorial Award – 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.
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
The Jimmy Wilkes Memorial Award – 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.
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
The John Macklin Memorial Award – Coach of the Year
John Macklin began coaching and officiating track and field in Branford 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.
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
The Adrian Scherders Memorial Award - Sportsmanship and Dedication
Adrian Scherders’ passion for sports began as a multi-sport athlete that included his annual quest to run in the Boston to Brantford race. His passion for sports grew into a love for coaching soccer, hockey and lacrosse. Throughout the years, Adrian took an active role in coaching the teams that his children played on no matter what sport they wanted to play. Whether it was other people’s children or his own, his goal was to teach youth about dedication, good sportsmanship and playing with integrity. Adrian would be very honoured to know that this award is being named in his memory.
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
The George Churchill Memorial Award – 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.
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
The George Jones Memorial Award – 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.
2017 Cathy Drinkwater
2016 Rick and Josie Mannen
2015 Todd Bannister, Bob Boos, Mick Ferras, Paul Yurcich
2014 Tracy Oldroyd
2013 Bob Coyne/ 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
The Jack Calbeck Memorial Award – 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.
2017 Levac’s
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
The Dave Levac Award – The Award of Excellence for 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 too 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.
2017 Neil Macdonald
2016 Robbie Vipond
2015 Suzanne Paulins
2014 Hugh Coleman
The Frank Tomlin Memorial Award – 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.
1976 BILL MOFFAT – BASEBALL
1977 WALLY KALICHUK – HOCKEY
1978 GARY SUMMERHAYES – BOXING
1979 WAYNE GRETZKY – HOCKEY
1980 LIZ POLYAK – TRACK & FIELD
1981 DAVE CHEETHAM – BASEBALL
1982 WAYNE GRETZKY – HOCKEY
1983 FRANK BRICKER – BOXING
1984 TED WEIRDA – BASEBALL & BASKETBALL
1985 RICK MANNEN – LONG DISTANCE RUNNING
1986 EDITH HAYMAN – BADMINTON
1987 STEVE BROWN – GAMES FOR DISABLED
1988 KEVIN SULLIVAN – TRACK & FIELD
1989 LYDIA VAMOS – SOCCER
1990 BOB & LAUREL BARNES – BASEBALL & HOCKEY
1991 BETH RICHARDSON – BADMINTON
1992 JULIE HOWARD – SWIMMING
1993 KEVIN SULLIVAN – TRACK & FIELD
1994 ROGER DAVIS – OVERALL CONTRIBUTION
1995 PAUL POLLILO – HOCKEY
1996 JULIE HOWARD – SWIMMING
1997 WALTER GRETZKY – OVERALL CONTRIBUTION
1998 TED DECOTEAU – OVERALL CONTRIBUTION
1999 PAT SHEWCHUK – SPORTS PROMOTION
2000 KEVIN SULLIVAN – TRACK & FIELD
2001 DENNIS KINGS – CONTRIBUTION TO BASKETBALL
2002 JORDAN SZOKE – MOTORCYCLING ROAD RACING
2003 NATASHA FILLIOL – TRIATHLON
2004 DAVID HEARN – GOLF
2005 CINDY EADIE – SOFTBALL & HOCKEY
2006 NICK KACZUR – FOOTBALL
2007 MIKE BERES – BADMINTON
2008 PETER HAM – HOCKEY
2009 JENNIFER KIRBY – GOLF
2010 PAUL AUCOIN – BASEBALL
2011 AARON CARPENTER – RUGBY
2012 ADAM HENRIQUE – HOCKEY
2013 KRISTA DUCHENE – TRACK AND FIELD
2014 JOHNNY POWLESS – LACROSSE
2015 DAVID HEARN – GOLF
2016 KRISTA DUCHENE – MARATHON
2017 AARON CARPENTER – RUGBY
