Scugog Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 21st

SHAWN LACKIE, Special to The Standard

SCUGOG: Given the latest developments regarding the pandemic, it looks like it’s full speed ahead for the Scugog Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Thursday, April 21st at Scugog Community Centre. There is a full slate of activities for the evening and will feature the inductions into the Hall of some local luminaries. Kate Beirness, Ian Roberts, Kelly Plitz, Waylon Roberts and the coaching staff from R.H.Cornish are the 2022 inductees. We will be recognizing five volunteers with our new Volunteer Recognition Award. Individuals were selected from submissions received from the following organizations: Port Perry Tennis Club, Cartwright Soccer, Durham Rowing Club, Port Perry Minor Softball and the Scugog Women’s League. “This recognition award was added as a way for the Hall of Fame to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our community volunteers who strengthen our local sports organizations,” said Committee Chair, Leanne Ashbridge. “The Selection Committee was impressed by the response to their request for submissions this year and hope other organizations will consider submissions for future years.” Submissions will be accepted anytime by emailing a one-page description of the volunteer to Committee Chair, Leanne Ashbridge. As in the past, we will be introducing Scugog youth who have been achieving great things in their respective sports. Justin Matthews and Alex McDougall will be acknowledged this year. The Hall will also celebrate three anniversaries: Port Perry Snowmobile Club-50 years, Blackstock Men’s Hockey League-25 years achieved in 2020, and Port Perry Mojacks-50 years in 2022. All very significant achievements.

A brief overview of the inductees of 2022: Kate Beirness: Born and raised in Port Perry, a graduate of R.H. Cornish and Port Perry High School, Kate pursued a career in sports broadcasting, joining TSN in 2014, where she was paired with Natasha Staniszewski, forming the network’s first female anchor team on TSNs flagship program Sports Centre. Kate is currently the host of the CFL and Toronto Raptors broadcasts on TSN. She has hosted many marquee sports events, including TSN Olympic Morning in 2012, CBC Olympic hockey in Pyeong Chang in 2018, NCAA March Madness, the NBA Draft and the Grey Cup.

Ian Roberts, Kelly Plitz, Waylon Roberts: In 1982, Ian was named Canadian Intermediate Champion and was first long-listed to the Canadian Team. A Level III coach since 1987, Ian was voted the 1989 Ontario Horse Trials Association’s Coach of the Year and was named both Male Rider and Male Coach of the Year by the Ontario Equestrian Federation in 1995. In 1996 Ian won both the Canadian Advanced Championships and the Canadian Intermediate Championships, making Ian the only rider to win both titles in the same year. Ian competed as a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the 2006 World Championships in Germany. Ian celebrated a bronze medal win at the Central American games in 2013 as a Costa Rican Eventing team coach. In 1982 Kelly Plitz joined the Canadian Equestrian Team, which meant she and her horse, Dialadream, got the chance to compete in the world equestrian championships. Kelly’s success continued as an eventing rider at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she was the top Canadian in eventing. Waylon first represented Canada at the age of 14 at the 2002 FEI Children’s Final for Show Jumping in Brazil. He then competed at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in eventing on five separate occasions. Waylon is a seven-time winner of the Royal Winter Fair Indoor Eventing Challenge in Toronto and represented Canada at the Pan Am games in 2007, winning a team silver medal and the 2017 Pan Am games winning a team bronze medal.

R.H.Cornish Coaches: From 1970 through 1989, a team of teachers from RH Cornish Public School inspired Scugog youth and encouraged their love for sports. This team is inducted in recognition of their longevity in coaching. Reg Philip, Clive Roane, Rob and Ken Smart, Darla Thomas, Wayne Addison, Jim Justynski, Graham Hewitt and Dave Brownson have all contributed significantly to developing student-athletes at the very young level.

The induction ceremony for this year’s class will take place Thursday, April 21st, at 7 p.m. Doors open between 6 and 6:30 p.m. There is no entry fee to attend, so feel free to come out and enjoy. Our very special guest speaker will be Gary Edgar, Tom Longboat Award Winner and long-time Port Perry resident. Gary was also one of the first inductees to the Hall in 2007. The Hall is accepting donations towards the preservation and display of the artifact collection. Donating is easy. Go to the website https://www.scugog.ca/en/live-and-play/Scugog-Sports-Hall-of-Fame.aspxor search Scugog Sports Hall of Fame to be directed to the website and click your donation amount. An automatic receipt will be issued. You may also send a cheque payable directly to the Township of Scugog Sports Hall of Fame to Community Services – Parks, Recreation and Culture1655 Reach Street, Port Perry, ON L9L 1P2. Receipts will be issued for all donations of $25 and up. All donors will be recognized at the event.