Sport PEI has announced that three members of the sport of curling – stick curler Ruth Stavert in the Masters Athlete Award category, Cliff Poirier for PEI Mutual Insurance Company Official of the Year, and Derek MacEwen for ADL Administrator of the year are among the finalists for the annual amateur sport awards banquet, to be held Friday April 11 at the Rodd Royalty Inn in Charlottetown.
Ruth Stavert
Cornwall’s Ruth Stavert is the Jennifer Jones of the stick curling community, and in 2013 she won an unprecedented four titles, from provincial right the way through to a national championship.
A great advocate of this modified form of the game, Ruth has been stick curling since 2007 and has become its most skilled competitor.
Last year, with regular partner Gloria Clarke, Ruth won both the provincial title for a fourth time, and the Maritime championship in Montague, before Gloria had to take time away through ill health.
With new partner Eileen Blanchard, Ruth showed the country that she was one of the best, winning the 10-team women’s division on home ice at the Cornwall Curling Club. To round off the sweep, Ruth and Eileen also claimed the 55-plus Provincial Games title.
For her efforts, Ruth was recognized by Curl PEI by winning the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.
Cliff Poirier
Summerside’s Cliff Poirier is a familiar face around the region’s curling rinks, and the level 3 umpire is constantly in demand for his expertise and knowledge of the game.
Respected for his excellent judgement and decision-making, Cliff was head umpire for a number of provincial championships this past year, in addition to working at the national (the Canadian Seniors in Summerside), and world levels (World Seniors in Fredericton, NB). Both senior events were at the invitation of the Canadian Curling Association, which shows the high regard in which Cliff is held. He also officiated at the Curl Atlantic Championships in Charlottetown, and his welcoming attitude to players, coaches and spectators makes him a popular presence at any event.
A tireless worker in the sport both provincially and at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, Poirier did a lot of work on the transition to the new “Thinking Time” timing method, and he actively recruits and develops new officials, teaching courses as required. He was also asked to oversee the planning for and recruitment of the officials for the Players Championship taking place next month in Summerside.
A great community-minded individual, Cliff is a dedicated volunteer, and is a past recipient of the Summerside Volunteer of the Year Award.
Derek MacEwen
Celebrating the Island’s sporting achievements over the past year, contenders for the prestigious Senior Male Athlete Award will once again include champion sprinter Jared Connaughton, world champion paranordic biathlete Mark Arendz, and captain of Team Canada and national medal winner from softball, Jeff Ellsworth.
Heather Moyse will of course be in contention for the senior female honour for her exploits in both bobsleigh and rugby, but other athletes too enjoyed fine seasons, including world silver medal rower Emily Cameron, and wrestler Veronica Keefe, who had an outstanding year on the mat both nationally and internationally.
In addition to the listed finalists, presentations will also be made to the Sports Organization of the Year (Premier’s Award), long-time service to sport (President’s Award), and the top overall Island athlete (Lieutenant Governor’s Award). The board of Sport PEI will also determine if the prestigious Bill Halpenny Award for Outstanding International performance will also be presented.
Tickets for the awards and dinner are available at the Sport PEI office at 40 Enman Crescent, Charlottetown. Emcees for the banquet will be CBC radio Island Morning host Matt Rainnie, and Joanne Holden.
For more information contact Nick Murray at 368-4547 or go to www.sportpei.pe.ca
The full list of finalists is:
Bell Aliant Senior Male Athlete of the Year: Mark Arendz (Paranordic Biathlon), Jared Connaughton (Athletics), Jeff Ellsworth (Softball)
Bell Aliant Senior Female Athlete of the Year: Emily Cameron (Rowing), Veronica Keefe (Wrestling), Heather Moyse (Bobsleigh and Rugby)
Rodd Hotels and Resorts Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Carsen Campbell (Biathlon), JP Stevenson (Baseball), Jeremy and Joel Watts (Wheelchair Basketball)
Rodd Hotels and Resorts Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Quincy Beck (Squash), Lorena Ellis (Wrestling), Hannah Taylor (Wrestling)
Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the Year: Andrew Costa (UNB, Volleyball), Cole MacMillan (UPEI, Soccer and Hockey), James Profit (Dalhousie, Swimming)
Intercollegiate Female Athlete of the Year: Jean Baker (SMU, Rugby), Emily VanDiepen (Mount Allison, Soccer and Hockey), Molly Wedge (Dalhousie, Swimming)
SCORE! Team of the Year: Holland College Men’s Basketball, Summerside Western Capitals (Hockey), Holland College Women’s Soccer
Masters Athlete Award: Michael Gaudet (Long Distance Running), Ruth Stavert (Stick Curling), Paul Wright (Cross Country Skiing)
PEI Mutual Insurance Company Official of the Year: Mike Jones (Rugby), Mandy Li (Taekwondo), Cliff Poirier (Curling)
PEI Mutual Insurance Company Coach of the Year: Colin MacDonald (Wrestling, Canada Games), Forbes MacPherson (Hockey, UPEI), Scott Morrison (Basketball, Lakehead University)
ADL Administrator of the Year: Derek MacEwen (Curling), Stephen Murray (Rowing), Gordon Rogers (Speed Skating)