A pair of Heathers joining the Hall of Honour
P.E.I.’s Heather Moyse, Heather Morrison celebrated in Canada Games ceremony
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - P.E.I.'s Heather Moyse and Heather Morrison secured their places in Canadian sports history on Feb. 17.
Moyse and Morrison were inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour.
At a ceremony that took place at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown, Moyse and Morrison joined Sami Jo Small and Marc Gagnon, athlete category; and Vicki Keith, builder category.
Moyse enters in the athlete's category, while Morrison will be recognized in the distinguished alumni section.
Moyse said she was very surprised when a Canada Games official told her the news.
“When they told me I said, ‘You do know I didn't win a medal at the (Canada) Games,''' Moyse laughed in an interview with SaltWire Network on Feb. 14 in recalling the conversation. “She started laughing and said they were aware of that, but it has to do with the fact I am alumni.''
The four-time Olympian and two-time Olympic bobsleigh gold medallist added that it also has to do with her success in sports since she competed in track and field at the 1997 Canada Games in Brandon, Man.
“It's even about what I've done beyond sports with my ability to enlighten and empower (athletes) and what I'm doing now,'' said Moyse, who is now a professional speaker and self-motivator.
‘VERY SURPRISED’
Morrison also chuckles when she recalls being told about her induction.
P.E.I.'s chief public health officer said her department has been working with the Canada Games medical team.
When she was told the head of the Canada Games wanted to speak to her, Morrison got all her notes about communicable diseases and immunization ready to answer any questions.
“So, I was very surprised,'' Morrison laughed.
“It was not at all what I had anticipated. I had to put all my notes away.”
Morrison represented P.E.I. in field hockey at the 1989 Canada Games in Saskatoon, Sask., and returned to the Games in 1993 as team manager in Kamloops, B.C.
Moyse said her Canada Games experience was much different than representing P.E.I. and Canada at the Olympic Games.
“Having grown up in P.E.I., a very small place, you're not surrounded by these people who are training to represent themselves in a big country, so going to the Canada Games was a really cool experience,'' Moyse said. “I guess it was a stepping-stone for me without even realizing at the time that it was.''
The Olympian said attending the Canada Games left an indelible impression on her.
She said it's about travelling with athletes set to represent the province, creating a team bond from all those competitors and meeting athletes from across the country.
“These are all people who are coming together to do this thing.''
Morrison said she thinks about her Canada Games days with fondness.
"I look back on my experience, both as an athlete and helping coach and manage a team,'' referring to the field hockey teams she played on and coached.
"It was all about the great teamwork and the teammates I had. It wasn't just about preparing for one (game). It was about preparing for months ahead of time, a whole year that went into it and how you rely on the team, such wonderful things you carry with you through life.''
These skills, Morrison said, have served her well in her role today.