Sport NL hands out 2018 hardware
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador held its annual awards and Hall of Fame presentation — the Stars and Legends Awards Gala — at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland Saturday night, honouring the province’s athletic best for 2017, while also inducting four new members into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame. The male and female athletes of the year were Paralympian Liam Hickey of St. John’s and baseball player Heather Healey of Paradise, while the top junior male and female athletes were Campbell Clarke of rugby and hockey player Maggie Connors, both from St. John’s. Team of the year was Brad Gushue’s curling foursome, rugby coach Peter Densmore of St. John’s was coach of the year, baseball’s Kevin Higgins of Gander was executive of the year, basketball’s Scott Critch of Grand Falls-windsor was executive of the year and David Coates of C.B.S. was volunteer of the year for his work in baseball. The new Hall of Famers are athletes John Slaney and Laura Breen, athlete/builder Ben Dunne and builder John Mcgrath. On hand for the group photo were, from left, first row: Maggie Connors, Laura Breen, Raeleen Baggs (representing her father, Ben Dunne), John Mcgrath, Helen Slaney (representing her son, John Slaney), Maria Clarke (representing her son, Campbell Clarke); back row: David Coates, Liam Hickey, Scott Critch, Ryan Garland (representing Kevin Higgins), Peter Densmore and Fred Healey (representing his daughter, Heather Healey).