Sports awards for 2019 being handed out next year

Welland’s athletes and coaches of the year for 2019 won’t be recognized until sometime in ’21.

April 9has been tentatively set as the date for the Welland Sports Promotion Committee’s annual banquet at Casa Dante on Lincoln Street in Welland.

“If the pandemic prevents us from hosting a live event, we will still do a virtual ceremony and deliver the awards at this time,” said Krista Bowie, community development and volunteer co-ordinator for the City of Welland.

In addition to athletes of the year in the female, male and masters, 55 and older, categories, top community and high school teams will be recognized for their achievements as will 2019’s top coach, sports executive and volunteer.

Another highlight will be the formal presentation of the H.L. Cudney Memorial Award to Nappers Boxing Club as sports organization of the year.

Though COVID-19 cancelled most sports in mid-march, honouring top individuals and teams for 2020 at the same time is under consideration.

“We are talking about combining 2019 with whatever nominations we might get for 2020,” sports promotion committee chair Wayne Jaroslawski said.

This year’s sports night, initially set for April 3 at Casa Dante, was among the first events cancelled by COVID-19.

A makeup date for a live enshrinement ceremony of the Welland Sports Wall of Fame’s 2020 induction class has also been set. Pending OK from government and public health authorities, the ceremony will be taking place May 2 at Seaway Mall.

Traditionally, the incoming inductee class isn’t introduced until the night of the sports banquet.

Five individuals and one team will be inducted. Three people are going on the wall as builders; two as athletes.

The 2020 induction ceremony had been set for May 3.