Area sports leaders feted

Three leaders in sports with ties to this area received certificates honouring their efforts at a special reception on January 27 hosted by Northumberland-Quinte West MPP, Lou Rinaldi.

Leaders from across the riding were given awards recognising their many efforts on behalf of their communities. They were nominated byy members of the public for their unconditional contributions to the development and experience of athletes of all ages and levels of competitiveness.

In his notes, Mr. Rinaldi stated, "It is important to take time to recognize those special individuals who give their valuable time so selflessly. We are fortunate to live in the best province in the best country in the world, where neighbours colleagues, friends and family are giving back. Volunteers are the backbone of our communities..."

Included in the list of recipients are the three below with ties to Cramahe. Attached are the biographies read at the ceremony and a brief note on Bill Dunk -

Ed. Note - Bill Dunk grew up on the family farm in Cramahe Township with his parents Bill and Edna. Bill Jr.  moved to Brighton in 1959. The father of his Bill Jr.'s wife, Sandra (Turney) ran a garage in Colborne many years ago.

WILLIAM DUNK - Bill has been involved in community sports in Brighton since the late '50's when he began coaching minor hockey. His coaching career continued into the 60's and 70's and 80's, where he shared his talents behind the bench with men's hockey and fastball. Bill was on the committee that saw the first set of lights installed at the ball diamond in King Edward Park. As years passed, Bill then became part of the Brighton Curling Club, sitting on the executive for years and is still on the Board of Directors. Bill has been a member of the curling club for over 30 years as well as the ice maker for over 14 years. He now acts as a consultant to the ice-maker as his expertise is very helpful when needed. Bill was very active with his own children growing up; be it hockey, golf, curling, basketball, soccer or baseball. Bill's saying was "Never send your child to sports; take them and be there for them". Today we honour a volunteer that has been involved in sports in Brighton for over 50 years.

TIM LARRY - Tim Larry, in his 27th year of teaching at ENS S and has coached thousands of students in basketball, cross-country and track and field. Tim is also involved in coaching soccer and hockey within his local community. This past year Mr. Larry celebrated his 25th Bay of Quinte track and field championship, while turning 50 years old. For half of his life, he has produced championship track and field teams. ENSS has also won the last 9 out of 10 COSSA championships in cross country. No other coach in the history of school sports in the Bay of Quinte Region has dominated a sport as ENSS has, and all under the coaching of Tim Larry. Tim is passionate about sports and this love for athletics is contagious among other staff and students. He believes that involvement in school and community athletics will make students better citizens. Tim is recognized Provincially and Nationally for his coaching and mentoring. He is the co-convenor of COSSA (Central Ontario Secondary Sports Association) and organizes track and field and cross country meets and events across Ontario. Currently, Tim is very involved in raising funds for a new track and sports field at ENSS and given his drive and motivation for ENSS and sports in general, they are bound to reach their goal.

DAPHNE SIMMS - Daphne Simms has been a teacher/coach at ENSS since 1986. Ms. Simms has volunteered as coach to thousands of students in volleyball, basketball and track and field, and has won numerous championships over the years including Bay of Quinte, COSSA and placed at OFSAA. Regardless of how talented her teams may be, Daphne consistently demands her teams to demonstrate good sportspersonship, dedication, hard work and improvement in skills. Ms. Simms organized school intramurals and athletic councils and worked as a teacher-facilitator at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre. She has always focused her efforts around athletics and student leadership. Ms. Simms has single handedly raised money to repair and build schools in Nepal, through hat days at ENSS, bake sales and other events. Daphne Simms truly exemplifies the true meaning of humanitarian, mentor and coach. Ms. Simms has announced she will be retiring this month and plans to referee volleyball in her retirement.