Ticket details for the banquet will be announced shortly.

 

Nancy Connolly (tennis), Shirley Lank (curling) and Mary Ellen McInnis (figure skating) have been selected as finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes leadership and dedication at the provincial sport level.

Photo: Connolly

 

Charlottetown’s Nancy Connolly has been a board member of Tennis PEI for almost fifteen years, nine of which have been served as the association’s president.

 

In 2010 Connolly was recognized with Tennis Canada’s “Distinguished Service” award for her dedication to the sport, which has seen her carry PEI’s interests both regionally and nationally.

 

Highlights of her tenure include being one of the founding members of the Atlantic Tennis Alliance, which has provided high-performance development in the region, and her work in securing funding for the club house facility in Victoria Park, as well as working with the province and the City of Charlottetown to secure extra courts at that facility.

 

Connolly has co-chaired the junior Atlantic events that have been held in Charlottetown, and was a big factor in the establishment of both the executive and technical director programs which have helped the sport keep moving forward.

 

She is well respected amongst her peers and is admired for her dedication and perseverance in the promotion of anything tennis related.

Photo: Lank

 

North Wiltshire’s Shirley Lank is another individual who has given a tremendous amount to her sport, with over 30 years of volunteering on her curling resume.

 

Currently in her third term as president, Shirley had a busy 2010 which saw her co-chair the successful Canadian Dominion Championships in Charlottetown and Cornwall. She is constantly trying to ensure that all curlers have a chance to participate, and that the provincial association provides quality programming.

 

An avid supporter of junior curling, Shirley is known for her can-do, no-nonsense approach, and she is particularly wise when it comes to making financial decisions for the association.

 

Her many years experience have included sitting on numerous boards and committees, organizing events, and offering support to both coaching and officiating.

 

Lank is an Honorary Life Member of the PEI Curling Association.  

Photo: McInnis

 

Vernon’s Mary Ellen McInnis is another outstanding administrator, and the PEI section of Skate Canada has some exciting times ahead, including hosting both the 2011 National AGM this May, and the 2012 Adult National Championships, both of which were secured under her watch as president.

 

At the local level McInnis has introduced training for new executive members in the clubs to get them comfortable in their roles, and she has been a driving force behind obtaining a technical director.

 

McInnis has served as awards chair, helped the province become the first recipient of the new Skate Canada website, and she continues to be an official in the sport as a data specialist, at which she was recognized recently with a Skate Canada officials award.

 

She is a hands-on administrator with a great passion for the sport, with no job too big or small for her to handle.