Sport PEI Awards Salutes 2016 Winners

Sport PEI’s besttime of year is when we get to salute the past year’s sportaccomplishments. 

Wednesday February 8, 2017we will recognize the Islands best at our 43rd Annual Sport PEI Awards beingheld at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall. 

Five award winners havebeen announced:  
ADL’s Master Athlete ofthe Year – Heather Ayles
PEI Mutual Insurance Company Official of the Year – Marguerite Middleton
ADL’s Volunteer Administrator of the Year – Lori Lund 
PEI Mutual Insurance Company Coach of the Year – Josh Whitty 
SCORE! Team of the Year – Holland College Women’s Basketball

HeatherAyles – Powerlifter 

In 2016, Heather Aylesreturned to powerlifting in grand style, placing second in the 57kg Master 1Class at Nationals, then in June headed to Worlds where she finished 7th in thesame class.  At the Canadian Powerlifting’s annual awards banquet, Heatherreceived the Bill Jamison Award, which is considered the Union’s highesthonour.  

MargueriteMiddleton – Swimming

Marguerite Middleton is a Level5 Official and one of only ten FINA officials in all of Canada.  In 2016,she was selected to be a Starter at the Canadian Olympic Trials and wasrecently on deck for the FINA World Championships in Windsor, Ontario. During the event she was the starter for a world record performance by the U.S.Women’s 4×50 relay team.

Lori Lund- Soccer

Asthe face of Montague’s Eastern Eagles Soccer Club, Lori Lund has put her heartand soul into Island soccer for the last ten years.  She has coordinatedeverything from Annual Mini Soccer Festivals, to hosting fourteen games duringthe 2009 Canada Games.  Her Volunteer Coordinator position for severalnational club competitions would see her go beyond expectations.  Currently Lori is themanager of the 2017 Men’s Canada Games Soccer Team.

 JoshWhitty – Basketball

After three years of beinghead coach of the Holland College Men’s Basketball program, Josh Whitty led histroops to three league championships and an overall record of 55 wins and 5losses.  In 2016 he was named ACAA Coach of the Year for his first time,and went on to win the prestigious CCAA Award.  Whitty has beeninstrumental in turning the Canes into one of Canada’s elite men’s basketballprograms; a national championship is not far from their grasp.

HollandCollege Women’s Basketball 

It was almost a Cinderellastory for the Holland College Women’s Basketball team.  With a regularseason record of 15-3, followed by a convincing win over the Crandall Chargersin the Atlantic championship.   The Canes came up just seconds short inthe National Championship and brought home the silver medal.  Led by HeadCoach Mike Connolly and assistant coaches Katie Hamilton and MC Connolly, theCanes success was a result of team unity and talented players.  

Reception begins at 6:30 pm with awards on stage at 7:15 pm. 

Tickets for the event are available for $25 by contacting Sport PEI (902)368-4110 or email sports@sportpei.pe.ca