Sackville is a model for all others in community participation. That was the word delivered during the annual Sackville Sport Recognition Night by none other than Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen.
And it seemed that her words rang true as dozens of athletes - mostly young - were recognized for their outstanding efforts and contribution to the area in a variety of programs.
Not only were the performers singled out but the huge number of coaches, managers, organizers, officials and parents were also paid respect for the manner in which they efficiently combine to offer a full range of recreation and competition for those interested.
In many cases, it was noted, that parents drive their sons and daughters to early hockey practices or to football, basketball, soccer, figure skating workouts, among other activities.
And the organizers - those who give of their time and talent to making the sports possible - devote hours of work in order to keep the well-run programs on the rails. Coaches, managers, referees and the many others who contribute do so on a voluntary basis and in so doing help to make Sackville a community unmatched in its commitment to youth.
The recognition night is designed to pay tribute to athletes who have risen to new heights during the previous 12 months, who have won championships or upped their level of play. Those who have moved on from school to make university or college teams are included in the list and the 2011 class included numerous provincial champions as well as some who performed well at the national level.
This program is sustained by the board of directors of the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame but is distinct from the semi-annual induction of outstanding athletes into the Wall. In order to qualify for this high honour, an individual must have attained a fairly high level of play over a period of time and also be properly nominated. This is the year for an induction and the date has been set for June 6 and the selection committee will meet shortly to make their choices. One problem continues and that is few people take the time or make the effort to nominate athletes and thus dozens, if not more, of deserving people do not become eligible to be considered for the selectors.
It has been learned that only a handful of nominations have been received - just one lately - and so the old files will once again be unwrapped and the evidence reviewed. Your columnist can think of three championship teams who should be installed - one a provincial hockey titleist and two fastball teams, one a Maritime champion and another an Eastern Canadian victor. And there are dozens of individuals, athletes and builders, many of whom have been featured in The Write Call.
Meanwhile, to get back to the recognition night, Mayor Pat Estabrooks agreed that this is one of her more pleasant duties each year and that this year's will be her final one as she is stepping down as the town's chief magistrate in May.
She noted that the event was the second in a series as Sackville celebrates its 250th birthday as a township. The first was the New Year's Day levee held at Marshlands Inn.
Dr. Craig Brett served as host of the event in the absence of Steve Ridlington. Brett said he was struck by the opportunities offered in Sackville and was proud to have been asked to serve on the Wall of Fame board of directors. He has become the new voice of the Mounties, providing the play-by-play coverage of the football games on CHMA-FM. He paid tribute to the staff who organized the evening, particularly Rebekah Cant and Deanna Cadman, and introduced Mayor Estabrooks, deputy mayor Bob Berry and councillors Margaret Tusz-King and Mike Tower who presented the certificates of recognition.
As evidence of the variety of programs offered in this community, such sports as swimming, figure skating, highland dancing, curling, lacrosse, basketball, football, hockey, firefit, pool, volleyball, badminton, cross-country, soccer, baseball and marksmanship were singled out. The Mosquito baseball team earned its second provincial championship while four members of the local Legion took the NB championship in eight ball. The marksmanship team was forced to build a new medal case after sweeping provincial and national honours.
Six members of the Titans football team, all named to All-Conference spots, included Michael Bohan as player of the year along with Spencer Estabrooks, Tory Hicks, Jeff LeBlanc, Jesse Morice, Danny Phinney, Connor Walton and Al Snowdon.
Swimmers racked up numerous provincial and Maritime championships and records, as did athletes in other sports as the community enjoyed one of its most successful years in competition.
And one world title arrived on our doorstep when Darlene Acton took both the Canadian and world championship in Fire-fit.
