MacDougall being recognized for cross-country journey
The Truro Sports Heritage Society Awards Dinner will be held Sunday, March 5 at the Best Western Glengarry in Truro.
The event will recognize the many outstanding athletic achievements by local athletes and teams in 2016, along with deserving coaches and volunteers. Athletes of various ages, from 12 to 78, will be honoured from a wide variety of sporting activities.
Bruce Rainnie, a CBC TV commentator and sports announcer, will emcee the event. He will speak about his experience of covering the Olympics and the various interesting experiences he has had with athletes from around the globe.
Following are bios on the chair award recipient, volunteer of the year and the nominees for outstanding female athlete, 50plus years:
Chair Award Chris MacDougall
With a goal to raise $1 million to support cancer research, Truro’s Chris MacDougall embarked on a cross-country cycling journey, titled Charlie’s Ride, in memory of his son Charlie who died at the age of 14 of cancer.
On July 24, 2016, Chris departed from Vancouver to begin his journey. Each day, Chris dedicated his ride to an individual or family who has been impacted by cancer. Chris, who like his father, has provided leadership roles to community organizations such as the new hospital fundraising project, also wrote a daily blog for followers to be part of his journey as he wrote about the sites, the challenges and the adventures he endured each day.
Chris remained motivated as he knew his brave, energetic and fun-loving boy would be onside and Chris said he could hear Charlie say, ‘Cool Dad! I want to go with you.’
On Sept. 28, Charlie’s ride came to an end with Chris cycling
a total of 7,500km from Vancouver to St. John’s, NL.
Volunteer of the Year Lavinia Carreau
Since moving to Truro in 2003, Lavinia has tirelessly given back to this community in her sport of running.
Over the last decade Lavinia has been coaching runners of a wide range of ages and abilities – from high school to elementary school. This past year, all schools in the county were lucky enough to have Lavinia offer open practices to students running cross-country. She was also the coach for both crosscountry and track and field at Ecole Acadienne de Truro.
As if she needed more to do, she accompanied students from the Wood Street Residential Treatment Centre to both track and cross-country competitions.
This is the first time that this has happened and Lavinia‘s commitment to serving her community enabled students, who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, to be involved in competitions.
Outstanding Female Athlete, 50-plus years Karen Hennigar and Jill Linquist
Karen Hennigar and Jill Linquist are well-known in the curling world. Karen played with Colleen Pinkney’s world masters championship team in 2010. Jill was the senior provincial champ in 2006 and 2007.
In 2016 Karen and Jill curled with the Marg Cutcliffe rink out of Halifax. The team captured the Nova Scotia Masters (over 60 years) title by going 4-0 at the provincial championship.
At the national event in Kentville, the team finished the championship round with a 6-3 record, which qualified them for playoffs. They defeated New Brunswick 8-3 in the semifinal, and then lost a close game to Saskatchewan, to win the silver medal.
Wanda McClellan
Wanda McClellan sets an impressive example for all to follow.
She is a dedicated, hard working multi-sport athlete who at the age of 52 continues to improve her athletic skills. Although only starting the sport five years ago, Wanda is a committed runner, achieving her goal of running 2016 kilometers in the year 2016.
She competed in more than 25 races during the year, earning personal best times in the 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances. She completed six halfmarathons, earning the title of “half-fanatic.”
Wanda’s work ethic and training is exemplary for a variety of sports. She is also an avid cyclist – she participated in two cycling Rondos in Nova Scotia this past summer. She is also a member of the cross-fit community, she golfs, and enjoys snowshoeing.
Coach of the Year Brian Wood
For more than 10 years, Brian Wood has been coaching in the Truro Minor Football program.
He was assistant coach with the Blue Bombers, started a flag football clinic, and was head coach of the Bantam Freightliners. He is also the player and coach development co-ordinator, which provides skills and the knowledge to grow this great game.
He was Fundy director of FNS and followed that as VP of league development.
Brian gives freely of his time to foster the game both locally and provincially and in the process, has become a respected mentor to our community’s youth.
Prior to 2016, he was chosen as head coach for the provincial U16 team. Subsequent to that, this team won gold for NS in July 2016.
Iain Lapointe
Iain Lapointe’s calmness, support, and encouragement of his charges has led to great success of the CEC Track and Field program.
His philosophy of team development, bonding and individual responsibility show through in the amazing results from his student-athletes. He is a supportive and tireless worker.
In 2016, he was recognized as the winner of Athlete Nova Scotia’s Coaching Excellence Developmental award. As an educator, Iain incorporates the importance of lifelong skills acquisition. It is no small feat overseeing the province’s largest high school track and field team, but he has steadfastly risen to the occasion. His 14 year career is filled with highlights for his athletes and himself.
In 2016, CEC won the overall senior banner and was intermediate regional champs.
Raj Makkar
Raj Makkar’s innate values of family, community, hard work and commitment contribute to him being a deserving nominee for coach of the year.
The tangible results his soccer teams have achieved are a testament to his inspiration and dedication.
His U14 boys soccer team won two gold medals in 2016, including the provincial Tier 2 title. His U18 boys Tier 2 team also won provincials, and his girls team won gold at districts and regionals. It was the first time in the local association that a coach captured two provincial titles with two teams in the same season.
Raj’s philosophy has always been to stress that each player gives his/ her all and to leave it all on the field.