With the induction of eight individuals and one team at the Powell River Sports Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Banquet on Saturday, June 14, a path was set for recognizing more past, present and future athletes in the years to come.
Hosted by well-known sports broadcasters Bernie Pascall and Joey Kenward, the evening highlighted the accomplishments of the class of 2019 with stirring and emotional video and verbal tributes. One by one inductees or their family members reflected on their careers and relayed the personal significance of the honour to the audience.
Alan Small spoke on behalf of the 1969/1970 Powell River Rodmay Regals, with many of his teammates in a semi-circle behind him on the stage inside Hap Parker Arena. Some in attendance questioned whether the very facility hosting the ceremony would have been built without the Regals’ stunning run to a Canadian championship that season.
Drew Ferguson (soccer), Ted Gerela (football) and Connie Polman Tuin (track and field), thanked family members, coaches and the community for the support they received throughout their journeys. As is customary for Tla’amin Nation citizens, a family member spoke for Leslie Adams (soccer and boxing), who stood to acknowledge the crowd after a speech by his son, Evan.
Family members accepted induction on behalf of Gino Bortolussi (track and field), Bob Crawford (hockey) and Gary Lupul (hockey), who were inducted posthumously. Roy Gerela (football) was unable to attend due to travel issues, but his nephew spoke on behalf of the three-time Superbowl winner.
In addition to the 2019 inductees, acknowledgements that were made annually once upon a time in Powell River were resurrected to recognize current athletes who excelled in 2018. Individual community awards were given to tennis player Sonia Skobkareva (junior female athlete), who is ranked 10th in the province; wrestler Abby Lloyd (senior female athlete), who won a national title in February 2018; soccer player Caleb Vallance (junior male athlete), whose play earned him a spot with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy; and cyclist Tristan Chernove (senior male athlete), who was named Canadian Cyclist of the Year in the para category for the third year in a row.
Powell River Outrigger Canoe Society received the 2018 team award for its performance and results at the World Outrigger Sprint Championships in Papeete, Tahiti, where members competed and excelled against powerhouse nations of the paddling world.
An evening filled with tears, laughter, remembrance, humility and class left everyone wanting more: more mingling, more reminiscing, and more food, because that was stellar, too.
Although a date has not been set for the next induction ceremony, based on the example set last weekend, it will be a social event to circle on a calendar. Kudos to the organizers for undertaking what must have been a gargantuan event to pull off another Powell River classic.
Who do you think should be in the next Sports Hall of Fame class? Think about it and submit a nomination next time.
