2023-03-22

Local athletes and coaches win big at latest awards' banquet

SOUTH SHORE – Lunenburg/Queens Special Olympics athletes and a coach took home the majority of the hardware at the 29th annual Inspired Gala and Auction held Feb. 22 in Halifax.

The event has not been able to be held since 2020, so the award presentations were spread out recognizing award winners over the past two years.

"I have to say Lunenburg/Queens kind of cleaned up. It was very nice," said Coach Betty Ann Daury, who has been involved in the local group for 36 years.

She "felt a lot of pride that night" because of the recognition the athletes received for all of their hard work and downplayed winning her own award, saying "it's all about them."

Along with the awards gala and a meal, there was also a dance held following the event.

Daury commented that athlete Michael Moreau and "four beautiful ladies from Pictou County were the last to leave the dance floor."

Winners from 2022 were:

Athlete Rebecca Delaney - The Frank Hayden Award (2022) Named after Canada's Dr. Frank Hayden, whose research sparked the Special Olympics movement 50 years ago, this award is presented to an athlete who has best exemplified the spirit, philosophy and goals of the Special Olympics movement over the course of their career.

Michael Moreau - Male Athlete of the Year.

Elizabeth Covey - Female Athlete of the Year.

Coach Betty Ann Daury - Female Coach of the Year and she was also named the National Coach of the Year late last year.

Coach Darlene Broome - Was named the provincial Volunteer of the Year for 2022 provincials and the national volunteer of the year.

For 2021:

Colby Oickle - Male Athlete of the Year.

Kody Latta - Male Coach of the Year

Emily Latta - Female Athlete of the Year.

John McIntosh - Official of the Year (bocce).

Most recently...

The athletes continue to work hard.

Eight members of the Lunenburg/Queens group competed at a snowshoeing competition in the Halifax Regional Municipality on March 4, against snowshoers from across the province.

The event was to be held at Acadia University, however, due to lack of snow, they had to change their venue.

Altogether they brought home 24 medals. Some of the local athletes may be chosen to compete in the snowshoeing event, a the 2024 Winter Games in Calgary, based on their performance at this past provincial event.

Notes...

• Golfer Krista Stockman and father/caddie Jim will be heading to Germany to compete at the World Summer Games (June 17-24).

• Several local athletes will be heading to Prince Edward Island in the next few weeks to compete in a bowling tournament. • Starting in April, athletes and coaches will transition over to summer sports such as track and field, soccer, bocce, golf and swimming.

• On April 22, the local organization will host a fundraiser at the Milton Memorial Hall. Daury said they normally do a Christmas party fundraiser, but because of pandemic restrictions, they have been unable to have one.

Instead, it was decided to hold a birthday party (athlete gift exchange) and a dance-a-thon. Athletes are looking for people to sponsor them based on how long they can dance.

Ron Shupe will be providing the music at the event and many sponsors such as the Milton Memorial Hall (free rent), Milton Market, Michelin and the Nova Scotia Special Olympics organization have stepped up to be a part of the event and provide gifts or food and drink.