by Lorilee Yvette
On Saturday, November 23rd, Rick Finlay, founder and president of the Port Perry Angels, was honoured by the Provincial Women’s Softball Association (PWSA) Ontario Softball and inducted into the PWSA Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. Rick was awarded a commemorative bat, in recognition of the many decades he has committed to coaching girls’ softball.
Rick started his coaching career, in the Durham region, over 50 years ago and has been the face of the Port Perry Angels for over thirty years.
Pippa Edwards, coach of the Angels U17 team stated, “Since 1993 Rick has been the central driving force in building and sustaining the Port Perry Angels, so girls and women can participate competitively in the sport of Softball locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Having coached with the Angels since 2009, I and many other coaches and players have been the beneficiary of the hard work, endless hours and dedication Rick has invested in the sport. He has always acted as a tremendous ambassador for the association, in provincial matters, and is always ready to offer to host championships, tryouts and camps, to expose players to further opportunities. Rick has performed all of the possible roles, including: coach, treasurer, fundraiser, equipment manager and, at times, being a one-person field crew for tournaments and events. Rick gives wholeheartedly and selflessly, so youth can experience the joys, challenges and rewards of playing this sport, whether competitively or recreationally through life.”
Alexandria McLellan, coach of the Angels U13 team, said, “Rick Finlay has been pivotal in shaping girls’ softball across the province of Ontario, for decades. He is the backbone of girls’ softball in the Durham Region. Rick is about creating opportunities for all girls who play fast pitch, at all ages! He founded the Port Perry Angels and has dedicated his life ensuring it remains thriving.
Personally, he’s allowed my children to play for the last eight years. They are proud to wear the Port Perry Angels logo. Our house bleeds red. He has not only given my daughters the opportunity to play, he has also mentored me into the coach I am today. He has taught me how important it is to create a safe environment for these girls, to show leadership and passion. He works tirelessly and puts all of his time into ensuring the association has funding, equipment, teams and opportunities.”
Rick has been keeping the Angels flourishing over the years. You can often see him lining diamonds and putting in bases at the Fowler or Carolyn Best diamonds, during the ball season. To this day, at the young age of 81, he is still: running the show, organizing the season, getting equipment, doing fundraising, running our Port Perry Classic tournaments, attending practices, and helping out with his intermediate team. When he travels the province, he runs into women he once coached, who are now taking their daughters to softball tournaments and they recognize him and share with him the stories they remember of him as their coach. That is a true testament of the impact he has made over the years.
When you say the words Port Perry Angels, only ONE name comes to mind and that is Rick Finlay and when you say PWSA Sports Hall of Fame, no one is more deserving than Rick Finlay. Last year Rick hit a homerun, being inducted into our Scugog Sports Hall of Fame, and now he’s hit the GRAND SLAM of events, being inducted into the PWSA Sports Hall of Fame.
Congratulations RICK!
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