Jack’s Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame 39th-Annual Golf Tournament Tees Off On May 21

The Jack’s 39th Annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame (PDSHOF) Golf Tournament is set to tee off on May 21 at the Quarry Golf Club, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Doug Gibson, Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament chairperson, is holding the Bob McGillan Scramble trophy to be presented to the top team of the event. The auction includes items such as an inflatable paddleboard, an autographed jersey of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov and more. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year, the tournament is hosting 240 golfers, with spots still available for registration. Entry includes refreshments, lunch, dinner and a live and silent auction.

The proceeds go towards the Hall of Fame’s operating fund and support its bursary for exemplary student-athletes who have just graduated high school and are planning to attend a post-secondary institute the following fall.

“Over the years with the success of the tournament, we've been able to increase our busaries — which we give out to the local high-school athletes — from $500, now we give four at $2,000,” said Doug Gibson, PDSHOF Golf Tournament chairperson.

@ptbo_canada The 39th-annual Jack’s Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament has been launched with the event on May 21 at the Quarry Golf Club. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Golf, fresh breeze, positive and strong(1437641) - SK MUSIC

The tournament is in honour of Doug’s father, Hall of Famer Jack Gibson, who was inducted in 1986 to the PDSHOF and had several roles and stints in the lacrosse and hockey world.

He managed the senior lacrosse team to a Mann Cup in 1966 and 1973. Jack helped organize a semi-pro league in 1968-69 and managed the team that won the championship that year.

Jack also managed the Maryland Arrows of the Pro Lacrosse League in 1974-75. The Hall of Famer also managed Canada’s Field Lacrosse team in the 1967 World Championships.

As the tournament enters its 39th year, Doug continues his father's legacy through the golf event.

“That's one of the reasons down here at the Hall, we put so much effort into our tournament each year,” he explained. “It's not only dad's legacy, it's Bob McGillian's who was the other co-founder of the tournament. We have a trophy in his honour now and it just keeps it going and keeps their memories alive.”

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2026 Inductees Announced For Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors have announced the names of six people as inductees for the class of 2026.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2026 Induction Ceremony is June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Hall of Fame/Peterborough Memorial Centre. Tickets will go on sale mid-April. They can be purchased by calling the Hall of Fame at 705-743-6897, email-info@pdshof.com or in person at the Hall of Fame.

@ptbo_canada Peterborough & District sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors have announced the names of six people as inductees for the class of 2026. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #sports ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The following are this year’s inductees:

Al Crowe (Builder: Fastball)

Al Crowe was a good multisport athlete. He was a member of the 1969 Lakefield High School District School Boy Curling Championship team and served as vice skip for the team at the COSSA Curling Championship and the OFSSA Championship in 1969.

Fastball was his game, starting in the Lakefield Men’s League before joining the Peterborough Men’s City Softball League. Crowe achieved great success when he began coaching in the PMCSL, winning the George Dormer Trophy nine times for first-place league finishes and the Taylor Trophy nine times. He coached teams to OASA Intermediate A titles in 1993 and 2003 and also coached the Curve Lake team to the Ontario Native All Ontario Championship in 1996 and 2003.

Not only did Crowe give his time to the men’s city league, but he also coached minor boys’ fastball teams from 1989 to 1995, winning an OASA Pee-Wee A title in 1993. Crowe has been honoured with numerous awards for his dedication to fastball in Peterborough. Including the Doug McCamus Award for Minor Fastball, the Dave Leether Award from the Umpires Association for Most Gentlemanly Player, City League “Mr. Softball” for dedication to fastball and the Brent McCue Heart Award for dedication to fastball.

Crowe served 31 years with the OPP, receiving the OPP Exemplary Service Medal in 1992 and a 30-year service award in 2002. Al Crowe gave his time and talent to the sport of fastball and now joins his father Bob Crowe as an honoured member of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

John Grant Jr. (Athlete: Lacrosse)

John Grant Jr. had a spectacular career in lacrosse. Born and raised in Peterborough, Grant Jr. has accomplished every honour possible in the game. He excelled at both box and field lacrosse as a junior, college, senior and professional player.

He has won five Mann Cups, achieved three silver and one gold at World Lacrosse Championships, three gold World Indoor Lacrosse championships, one gold and one silver Heritage Cup, one NLL and five MLL championships. The list of individual awards is impressive: 1994 OLA Junior A MVP, 1995 MSL Rookie of the Year, 1999 USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year, 1999 National Collegiate Attackman of the Year, 2007 NLL Rookie of the Year, 2000 MSL MVP, 2001 MLL Offensive Player of the Year, 2004, 2007 Mann Cup MVP, 2007 and 2012 NLL MVP, 2007 NLL Championship MVP, 2007 and 2008 MLL Offensive Player of the Year as well as MVP.

Grant Jr. has gone on to coach both professional and college field lacrosse in the USA. Grant Jr. racked up over 3,000 points over his 25+ years of playing lacrosse at the very highest level.

His slick and shifty ball-handling skills would rank him among the very best, if not the best, in the world. John has gone on to coach both professional and college field lacrosse in the USA. He joins his father, John Grant, as an honoured member of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Terrance “Terry” Paul (Athlete: Rowing)

Growing up in Peterborough, Paul played many sports and was a member of the junior program at the Kawartha Golf & Country Club. While at PCVS, he was influenced by Carol Love and Graham Wilkinson to join the Peterborough Rowing Club. He joined the club as a coxswain and became hooked on the sport. He attended Brock University, where he honed his rowing skills with the Brock Badgers.

Following graduation, Paul moved to Victoria, B.C., and joined the Canadian National Rowing Team. Terry won a Men’s Eights gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, as the team’s Coxswain. He has participated in every Olympic Games since 1988 and coached until 2022.

Terry has had an extensive coaching career in the US College system at Cornell and then internationally with Canada and Switzerland. He coached the men’s pairs to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Terry is currently employed by the BC government as Performance Director for Rowing BC.

Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett (Athlete: All-Round)

Peterborough-born Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett, a multi-sport athlete, achieved success in every sport she played in.

She was a member of the Canadian team that competed in the Long Ball Golf competition in Las Vegas in 2002, where she finished 10th, and was the Ontario Long Drive champion in 2001 and 2002. She was the low net champion at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club in 2002. Kelleigh has played hockey since the age of five, starting in the PGHA. Over her long career, she has won numerous tournaments and OWHA provincial titles, including a Midget B gold, two golds and one silver in Senior AA and one gold in Senior AA Eastern Canadian championships.

In 2000, the Senior AA team also won its third consecutive National Capital tournament in Ottawa. From 2007 to 2014, Kelleigh won two gold, one silver and one bronze OWHA Senior C Championships with the Keene women’s team. She was a member of the Peterborough Skyway Senior AA Women’s Hockey team from 1993-1996, which played in the Central Women’s Hockey League and won the league championship in their second year. She was a member and team captain of the silver-medal-winning Ontario Select team, which travelled to Switzerland to play in an international tournament in 1986.

Traynor-Hartnett    was instrumental in forming a women’s division in the Police International Hockey Association tournament while a police officer with the Durham Police. During her tenure with the team, the Durham Bullets Women’s team won six championships.

She also played fastball in the city league and with the Cobourg Angels (winning a PWSA Achievement Award). She played slo-pitch, winning the Eastern Ontario Champion, placing second at the 2000 National Championship in Kamloops, B.C. She won a Field Hockey bronze medal at the Ontario Summer Games in 1985, an OCAA Soccer Bronze with Fleming College in 1988 and was the 1986 senior high jump high school champion and placed 2nd at COSSA and 3rd at OFSSA.

She was a member of the 55+ 2023 Ontario Champions and 2024 Canadian 55+ silver medalist team. From 2013, Traynor-Hartnett    has also been an assistant coach, head coach and trainer in the Peterborough Ice Kats system. She retired from the Durham Police Department in 2019, receiving the ‘Excellence in Service’ Award for 30 years of service.

Tim Watts (Athlete: Archery)

Watts comes from the Warsaw community. He fell in love with the sport of archery at a young age. He started competing at age 15 in 1987 and since then, he has competed in over 700 tournaments all over the world.

In Ontario, archery has five disciplines, each with an annual provincial championship. During his archery career, he has hit the podium 80+ times, including 34 provincial championships. He has won provincial championships in all 5 disciplines. The archer who competes in all five disciplines with the highest combined total is crowned Grand Champion. The award was established in 1999 and Tim has been the Grand Champion 18 times.

At the national level, there are four disciplines every year. Watts has achieved podium results 25 times, winning 12 National titles. One of the few archers in Canada to have won the National title in all four disciplines.

After winning the National 3D title as part of team Ontario, Tim qualified for the 2011 Canadian 3D team competing at the World 3D Championships in Austria. He won a silver medal and to date, he is the only Canadian Compound Archer to win a World Championship medal. He has been the Tournament Director for Archery Ontario since 1990.

He worked for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and has been the Peterborough Coordinator for the National Archery School program since 2014. This program introduces archery to thousands of Ontario youth.

Watts is a highly accomplished Canadian archer, a columnist for Ontario Out of Doors. Based in Peterborough and affiliated with the Peterborough Fish and Game Club, he is a decorated competitor in compound, 3D and field archery, holding national records and winning multiple gold medals in the 50-plus category.

He won three gold medals at the 2022 Canadian National Archery Championships (Men’s Hunter, 50-plus Field, 50-plus Target) and has over 35 years of competitive experience. He set a Canadian record in 2023 for 50+ men's compound unlimited in a field round with a score of 392.

Jeff Twohey (Builder: Hockey)

Born in Lindsay, Twohey has made his home in Peterborough for over 40 years. It is not a stretch to say that hockey is his life. Starting out in 1980 as a trainer for the

Peterborough Petes: Twohey rose through the ranks of the Petes organization in many capacities, from marketing to Assistant GM and, finally, General Manager. Over his tenure with the Petes he saw the team win OHL Championships in 1989 and 1993 as an Assistant GM and 1996 and 2006 as General Manager and trips to the Memorial Cup on four occasions. The Petes recorded 600 wins during Jeff’s time as GM. The position of the GM also requires scouting and recruiting and working with team scouts to select young players that will be the right fit for a particular OHL team. Fifty-four of his players were drafted to the NHL, with nine drafted in the first round.

Twohey served on a number of OHL Committees including Priority Selection, Competitions, Officiating, CHL Import Draft, Protected List, NCAA Issues, All-Star Selection, CHL Canada-Russia Selection and OHA Rep evaluating Canada’s World U18 and U20 prospects.

He is the recipient of the Bill Long Award in 2006 for distinguished service, the OHL Milestone Award in 2008 for 25 years of distinguished service to the OHL and he was inducted into the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

After leaving the Petes, Twohey spent a couple of years with the Oshawa Generals before serving as an Amateur Scout for the Dallas Stars and the NHL's Arizona Coyotes from 2014 to 2018. The role of a hockey scout is arduous, requiring many hours away from home and miles of travel across North America and Europe. During his time with the Coyotes. Twohey scouted over 250 live games. Jeff is now scouting for the Florida Panther. His love for hockey has translated into a long and successful career.

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Peterborough Community Mourns the Loss of Local Sports Enthusiast and Former City Councillor Paul Wilson

Trent University’s founding athletics director Paul S.B. Wilson has passed away Sunday at the age of 86.

Pete Dalliday and Paul wilson for a hometown ptbo segment in 2023. file photo.

Wilson, who held the position with Trent for 36 years, was also granted honorary alumnus status with the University in 1996.

His local efforts were further recognized in 2001 when he was inducted into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame.

After his retirement in 2002, Wilson received the Symons Award for Teaching Excellence and the Eminent Service Award, being recognized as the longest serving athletics director at a Canadian university.

"From the earliest days of Trent, he imagined what athletics and recreation could mean for students and spent decades turning that vision into reality,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University in a press release. “He established programs and facilities that shaped the student experience and brought people together through sport, recreation and enjoyment.”

A dedicated community builder, Wilson also served Peterborough as Town Ward councillor from 1985 to 1997.

“Paul had an important and impactful influence on the City of Peterborough. As a multi-sport athlete, Paul reached his personal potential in rugby and squash,” said Mayor Jeff Leal in a press release. “Paul was an independent thinker who inspired great conversations. He profoundly cared about our community as he served as an Alderman and later as an interviewer on Your TV.” 

In an interview with PTBOCanada in 2023, Wilson reflected on his local politics career and passion for squash.

“I was lucky enough that during the war in England, my mother and I were evacuated to a school that had a squash court,” he said. “That’s where it started.”

Wilson is survived by his wife Gillian, whose passion for the performing arts sparked her involvement with the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

“She’s been hugely involved during our time in Peterborough,” Wilson reflected. “In fact, she told me the other day that she’s been involved in 250 productions. I said ‘What, and counting?!’”

Wilson’s legacy lives on through his involvement in local athletics development and time on City council.

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Four Student-Athletes Graduates Receive 2025 Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary

Four graduating student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award for 2025 at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

(Left to right) Matthew Kathiravelu; Sydney Dobbin; Linda de Jeu, PDSHoF Second Vice Chair; Olivia McBride and Rutger Huntley. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six) Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Matthew Kathiravelu, Sydney Dobbin, Olivia McBride and Rutger ‘Ru’ Huntley were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student, attending University in the fall.

This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries.

Matthew Kathiravelu, 18. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Kathiravelu, 18, is an honours student and a graduate of Kenner Collegiate.

He is attending the University of Pennsylvania, where he was accepted to the prestigious Wharton School of Business, studying Economics and working towards a Bachelor of Science degree.

He is a multisport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, badminton and track and field. He was named captain of his basketball, volleyball and track and field teams and named player of the year on all three of these teams.He led the Kenner Rams to an OFSAA silver medal this past year and an antique bronze two years ago. Kathiravelu is a two-time OFSAA triple jump gold medalist and an OFSAA  long jump silver medalist. He was named Kenner's senior male athlete of the year.

Academically, Kathiravelu was awarded the Governor General’s Award, given to the student who has the highest academic average with 97 per cent in his graduating class.

The 18-year-old has expanded his reach into coaching, helping the younger members of the Kenner track and field team. He has also been a representative on the student council and the athletic committee.

He has been a member of the Peterborough Power basketball program for two years and a player/captain with the Time to Hoop basketball program for two years.  He has also been a member of the United Tamil Sports Club for three years.

He has also volunteered as a coach for Peterborough Youth basketball, completed a co-op at Community Futures Peterborough, and coached youth at the Ferndale summer sports camp.

Sydney Dobbins, 18. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Dobbins, 18, is an honours student and is a graduate of St. Peter Secondary School.

She will be attending the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, studying to become a doctor.

Dobbins played basketball, volleyball, soccer, ran cross country and track and field and competed in alpine ski racing and badminton. She captained her basketball and soccer teams. She was named Senior Female Athlete of the Year this past spring and has earned 10 MVP awards and two Most Dedicated awards throughout her high school career. Through her four-year education at St. Peter’s, she qualified for nine OFSAA championships in cross country running, soccer, basketball and Alpine ski racing.

She developed her leadership skills as a member of the Saints Athletic Council, where she organized sports events for elementary students, hosted athletic banquets, and advocated for the needs of student-athletes. The 18-year-old aspiring doctor has been a social media manager for athletics at St. Peter’s, where she also assisted with scorekeeping for boys and girls basketball games.

Dobbins was a member of the Peterborough Youth Soccer Association for 11 years and the Youth Basketball Association for nine. She was usually selected as captain.

Dobbins volunteered at the Peterborough City Soccer Summer Camp, Time to Hoop Basketball Academy and at the Special Olympics.

Outside of sports, Dobbins was a volunteer at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre with the Hospital Elder Life Program. It supports seniors with companionship and support in their recovery.

Olivia McBride, 18. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

McBride, 18, is an honours student and is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate.

She will attend Hamilton’s McMaster University in the fall, studying health sciences as she works towards an Honours Bachelor of Health Science Degree.

The 18-year-old competed in cross country running, basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, track and field and tennis. She was also a member of the school’s Special Olympics Unified basketball team this past year.

In her final year, Olivia was captain of the senior basketball and senior soccer teams.

During her four years at Adam Scott, she has earned nine different team awards, received her junior and senior athletic letter, was named Junior athlete of the year in grade 10 and senior athlete of the year in grade 12.

In her final year, she was one of the recipients of the Paul Burke Honour Athlete award, which recognizes commitment and dedication to athletics over a student's entire high school career, as well as receiving the Marilyn Tudhope OFSAA Award of Excellence.

McBride completed her Specialist High Skills Major program which allowed her to run a Grade 9 Olympics day, earn certifications in fair play and coaching and take part in career exploration and leadership positions. She has run volleyball intramurals for fellow students, assisted with junior girls basketball tryouts and officiated elementary basketball tournaments.

In the community, McBride has been a member of the Peterborough City Soccer Club and the Peterborough Power Basketball Club for four years.

She has volunteered at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre as a wayfinder, tutored Adam Scott Intermediate students, served as a basketball scorekeeper, and volunteered at Edmison Heights public school, where she assisted in a grade 6 classroom, organized pizza lunches, and coached dance and gymnastics.

Rutger ‘ru’Huntley, 18. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Huntley, 18, is an honours student and graduate of Crestwood Secondary School.

He will be attending Queen’s University in Kingston, pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.

Huntley played volleyball, badminton, tennis, ultimate frisbee, alpine skiing and a track and field athlete. He was captain of the volleyball team for each year of his career as a Mustang. He was named MVP of the volleyball team four times, the badminton team three times and earned two sportsmanship awards. He is a nine-time COSSA medalist and a five-time OFSAA participant.  

He received two of Crestwood’s most prestigious Dysart Awards of Athletic Excellence.

The 18-year-old has been a coach for the senior girls and junior boys volleyball teams at Crestwood, an official for four years for intermediate volleyball tournaments, a Soul beach volleyball coach for four years, a Durham attack U15 assistant coach and a private beach volleyball player coach.

Huntley has been captain and played volleyball for Durham Attack for three years, Peterborough Thunder for one year, Team Ontario Beach for one year, Soul Beach for four years, OVA beach tour for four years and has recently played badminton with the Peterborough Badminton Club for a year. He has received a Durham Attack leadership award three times, the Achievement of Excellence Award and the Lisa Ford Memorial Award.

Huntley has been a volunteer with the Millbrook BIA festival for 4 years, acting as an organizer and assisting with setup and he has volunteered with Mitchel’s Cakes and Desserts.

@ptbo_canada Matthew Kathiravelu, Sydney Dobbin, Olivia McBride and Rutger Huntley are this year’s recipients of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Bursary Award winners for 2025. It is given annually to exemplary student-athletes who have graduated high school and headed to post-secondary education this fall. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp ♬ bounce i just wanna dance - фрози & joyful

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Celebration of Life Being Held For Longtime Arena Worker Roy Bateman On Wednesday Night

Longtime arena worker and community member Roy Bateman is being honoured with a celebration of life at the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

He passed away on April 10, a few months shy of his 74th birthday.

During his youth, Bateman was a Special Olympics athlete and won several medals for swimming. He also had a passion for hockey, as he played it on Leighton Road as a goalie with neighbourhood kids. He was also a passionate fan of the Peterborough Petes and Peterborough Lakers.

Bateman worked as a recycler at the Evinrude Centre for several years before retiring in 2021. He was treated like family by arena staff and people he met through his work. Several Petes that went on to the NHL often sent him pictures or Christmas cards.

Roy is survived by his sister-in-law, Maureen Rea. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Allan and Alma Bateman and his big brother, Wayne.

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Jack’s 38th Annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament Tees Off On May 22

There will be 240 linksmen teeing off at the Jack’s 38th Annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame (PDSHOF) Golf Tournament set for May 22 at the Quarry Golf Club, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Doug Gibson, Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament chairperson, holding the Bob McGillan Scramble trophy to be presented to the top team of the event. There are signed jerseys to be auctioned off at the event with athletes such as Colin Fitzgerald, Peterborough Petes forward (pictured); Porter Martone, Brampton Steelheads forward and Barrett Hayton, Utah Hockey Club Forward. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The sold-out tournament fundraiser's proceeds will go towards the Hall of Fame’s operating fund and to support its bursary for exemplary high school student-athletes.

“Years ago, Steve Doyle, Bob McGillian and my dad came up with this idea for a bursary program for local high-school athletes as they were embarking on post-secondary academic and athletic careers.” Doug Gibson, PDSHOF Golf Tournament chairperson. “We're pleased that over the years, we've been able to go from initially two $500 bursaries, now we're up to four $2,000 bursaries. We're thankful that Steve, Bob and Jack had the foresight to start that program and now we're able to keep it going.

The tournament is in honour of Hall of Famer Jack Gibson, who was inducted in 1986 — Doug’s father — and had several roles and stints in the lacrosse and hockey world.

He managed the senior lacrosse team to a Mann Cup in 1966 and 1973. Jack helped organize a semi-pro league in 1968-69 and managed the team that won the championship in 1969.

He also managed Maryland Arrows of the Pro Lacrosse League in 1974-75. The Hall of Famer also managed Canada’s Field Lacrosse team in the 1967 World Championships.

As the tournament enters its 38th year, Doug continues the tradition of continuing his father's legacy through the golf event.

“Dad was one of the original founders to try to get things going when we first had the Hall of Fame,” he explained. “He and Bob McGillian decided to have a golf tournament and we're just continuing on hopefully the way they would have continued on had they still been with us but it's really nice for me personally to be able to do something which remembers my dad.

While the tournament is full, prospective golfers can join a waitlist to be accepted, pending any cancellations.

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2025 Inductees Announced For Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors have announced the names of six people as inductees for the class of 2025.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

The following are this year’s inductees:

Paul Day (Builder: Lacrosse)

The Peterborough-born coach is well-known in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) communities. As the general manager of the Peterborough Lakers, Day assembled four consecutive Mann Cup championship teams. He won two NLL Championships with the Buffalo Bandits and four with the Rochester Knighthawks. Day played for the Minto Cup Champion Peterborough Jr. Maulers. He is currently the general manager of the NLL’s Philadelphia Wings. He has also been inducted into the Ontario and Canadian Lacosse Halls of Fame.

David Lean (Athlete: Water Skiing)

Peterborough-born and Apsley-raised, Lean competed in two World Water Ski Championships, was a North American Water Ski Champion, a three-time Canadian Champion, the 1960 Ontario Water Ski Champion – closed and open, the 1964 and 1965 Ontario Open champion and was the 1966 Canadian Invitational overall and tricks champion. He was the first Canadian to complete the ‘wake toe hold’ trick in competition. He was a regular performer at the annual Canadian National Exhibition Water Ski Show.

Frank Mazza (Athlete: Wheelchair Paralympian)

Born with cerebral palsy, Mazza started racing in 1982 and represented Canada internationally from 1983 to 1986. Known as "‘Fast Frank Mazza,’ he was a gold medal Paralympian and a gold, silver and bronze World Games Paralympic medalist among his many accomplishments. Frank raced using only his left arm to propel his wheelchair while competing against two-arm wheelers. He held national and provincial records in many events.

Bill Plager (Athlete: Hockey)

Plager came to Peterborough in 1962 to play for the TPT Petes. He spent the 1963-64 season with the Lachine Maroons before returning to play for the Petes from 1964 to 1966. With stints in the CHL and AHL, he would go on to play for the NHL's Minnesota North Stars, Atlanta Flames and St. Louis Blues. He got the rare opportunity to play for four years and teamed up with his brothers Barclay and Bob while playing for the St. Louis Blues. The 68-69 Blues were Western Division Champions and Stanley Cup finalists. Following his 294-game NHL career, Plaguer returned to Peterborough. He contributed to the community by coaching PHA boys and PGHA girl’s teams.

Andrea (Cranley) Prieur (Builder: Lacrosse)

Peterborough native and St. Peter High School graduate Prieur has travelled the world as a member of the Canadian Medical team at Olympic, Commonwealth, Pan Am and World University games over her 20+ years as an athletic therapist. She has been a head therapist for several championships in Canada, including IIHF World Women’s Hockey, Canadian Figure Skating, CPGA Golf and Varsity and Club sports. Through ongoing education and experience, Andrea has prepared to become a world-class therapist, providing medical service to high-prestige events.

Darl Sutherland (Athlete: Long-Distance Running)

Sutherland’s career started when he came to Peterborough from Bancroft to attend Sir Sandford Fleming College. He is an OCAA gold medalist and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association cross-country silver and bronze medalist. He captained the Fleming Knights to the 2001-02 OCAA Championship. As a marathon runner, he has won numerous events and competed in the Boston, Philadelphia and New York Marathons. He is one of Peterborough’s most prolific distant runners. Running has been Darl’s life, translating into coaching high school track and field and Special Olympics. He continues to coach at Sir Sandford Fleming College and Team Ontario.

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Four Exceptional Student-Athletes Graduates Receive Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary

Four graduating student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

(Left to right) Linda de Jeu, PDSHoF Second Vice Chair; Ireland Payne, TASS graduate; Ava Johnston, Adam Scott Graduate, Brynn Jenkins, Crestwood Graduate; Finn Hughes, Holy Cross Graduate and Tim Barrie, first vice chair. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Finn Hughes, Brynn Jenkins, Ava Johnston, and Ireland Payne were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student that attending University in the fall.

This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six).

Hughes graduated from Holy Cross Secondary School, will attend Laurier University, study Business Administration and play rugby for the Golden Hawks.

He is an honours student with a 90 per cent average.

The Hurricane alumnus captained football, basketball, and rugby for Holy Cross. He was named senior athlete of the year and earned several MVP awards. He also served on the school’s student council.

In the community, he was a member of the U18 Team Canada rugby program, U19 Team Ontario rugby, Peterborough Pagans, Petes minor hockey and Otters football.

As a volunteer, Hugues was a link leader at Holy Cross, volunteered with special needs students, was an OFSAA lacrosse volunteer and gave back to minor hockey as a referee and scorer and timer.

“It's an honour,” explained Hughes. “I'd just like to thank the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame for thinking of us and getting us in here. It feels great.”

Jenkins graduated from Crestwood Secondary School this past summer with a 94 per cent average as an honours student. She is attending Queens University, studying Health Sciences and will play varsity rugby.

At Crestwood, she played rugby, basketball, volleyball, track and field and wrestling. She was captain of the rugby team and earned an OFSAA gold medal in wrestling. She competed at OFSAA in track and field for four years. She earned MVP honours in rugby and was given the Dysart award, one of the highest athletic honours at Crestwood.

Outside of school, Jenkins was a member of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club, played Kawartha lacrosse, soccer and has attended the Rugby Canada development academy.

Jenkins was an active volunteer. She worked with Kawartha Food Share, was a referee for junior rugby, coached mini rugby and advocated for black athletes on social media.

“It feels wonderful to be recognized for all of the hard work that I've put in and all of us,” said Jenkins.

Johnston is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate and is attending the University of Guelph. She will study Health Sciences and play rugby for the Gryphons.

The 96 per cent average honours student played high school rugby, volleyball, wrestling and ultimate frisbee. She was captain of several teams, leading them to OFSAA gold medals in Ultimate and Kawartha and COSSA championships in Rugby and volleyball. She was Adam Scott’s senior female athlete of the year and earned many MVP awards.

Johnston was a member of the Ice Kats for hockey, part of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club and has been a member of the Ontario Rugby program.

Off the field, the Adam Scott Lion alumnus was a Sunday school volunteer and assisted with the Million Meals program. She was also an active volunteer and referee at the KPR elementary rugby and ultimate tournaments.

“It's just really awarding putting in a ton of hours into both sports and off the field,” explained Jenkins. “It's satisfying knowing that you're getting recognition for all of it and it's awesome for all of us.”

Payne graduated from Thomas A. Stewart and will attend the University of New Brunswick in the fall to study environmental management and play volleyball.

She played high school basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, soccer and track and field. Ireland earned multiple MVP awards in her sports while maintaining a 94 per cent average.

She was a member of Peterborough Thunder Volleyball, Soul Beach Volleyball and Peterborough Badminton Club.

Her volunteer work involves helping at Kawartha Food Share, Peterborough Humane Society and several KPR elementary sporting events.

“I'm very grateful that I got to be recognized and just very happy,” said Payne. “It makes me feel proud of myself and affects my self-esteem. It helps me feel more confident when you're recognized for high school accomplishments.”

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Jack’s 37th Annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament to Tee Off On May 23

There will be 240 linksmen participating in the Jack’s 37th Annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame (PDSHOF) Golf Tournament set for May 23 at the Quarry Golf Club, announced on Thursday afternoon.

Doug Gibson, Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament chairperson (left) and Kevin Carter, Quarry Golf Club general manager (right) holding the Bob McGillan Scramble trophy to be presented to the top team of the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The sold-out tournament fundraiser's proceeds will go towards the Hall of Fame’s operating fund and to support its bursary for exemplary high school student-athletes.

“You can see by the support that we get that it was a matter of calling all of our groups that played last year and everyone re-upped,” Doug Gibson, PDSHOF Golf Tournament chairperson. They wanted to play a game and it just shows the support.”

The tournament is in honour of Hall of Famer Jack Gibson, who was inducted in 1986 — Doug’s father — and had several roles and stints in the lacrosse and hockey world.

He managed the senior lacrosse team to a Mann Cup in 1966 and 1973. Jack helped organize a semi-pro league in 1968-69 and managed the team that won the championship in 1969.

He also managed Maryland Arrows of the Pro Lacrosse League in 1974-75. The Hall of Famer also managed Canada’s Field Lacrosse team in the 1967 World Championships.

Doug agreed that, “without a doubt,” this tournament was a way to help continue his father's legacy alongside the Hall of Fame.

“He was extremely proud when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and he's been down here as one of the supporters before he passed away (in 2000),” explained Doug. “He really enjoyed his time here at the Hall of Fame and it has been good for the family.”

While the tournament is full, prospective golfers can join a waitlist to be accepted, pending any cancellations.

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2024 Inductees Announced For Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

Six names are being immortalized into Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame for the class of 2024, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

The inductees are being honoured at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in a ceremony on June 8 at 7 p.m.

The following are this year’s inductees:

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Fred Blowes (Builder: Women’s Field Lacrosse)

Blowes came to Peterborough in 1987 to teach at Lakefield District Secondary School. His contribution to field lacrosse in Peterborough has been significant, particularly in developing female lacrosse players.

He founded and coached the Kawartha Women’s Field Lacrosse Club which began as an U20 team that competed in the Ontario Women’s Lacrosse League.

The Kawartha Lacrosse Club has grown over the years with the addition of U9/11/13/15/19, Senior Rep Teams and a House League.

The KWFC has earned many provincial honours. As a coach, Fred’s U19A teams earned provincial gold in 1998, 1999 and 2002 and two Ontario Summer Games Gold Medals in 1998 and 2002. He was named OWFL Coach of the Year in 1998, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Blowes continues to lead the Kawartha Lacrosse Club as President. Many players from the Club have succeeded at the Provincial, National, International, Ontario University and NCAA levels.

He has mentored more than forty players who have received NCAA Scholarships and eleven players who have gone on to represent Canada at both U19 and/or Senior World Championships.

Under Blowes’s leadership, Peterborough has hosted several female field lacrosse international, national and provincial championships and World Lacrosse Festivals. Over a 37-year high school career, Blowes has chaired both OFSAA Boys’ Basketball Championships at Lakefield and two Girls’ Ontario High School Provincial Cups while at Kenner.

He served as Boys’ (1995-2008) and Girls’ (2001-2011) High School Lacrosse Convenor. He coached many high school teams to Kawartha and COSSA Championships, including the Lakefield Tiger Boy’s Lacrosse Team to four Ontario High School “B” Championships and the Kenner Rams Senior Boy’s Basketball team to a fourth-place finish at OFSAA “A” in 2023, followed by an OFSAA “A” Silver Medal in 2024.

He also served as the Head Coach of the Fleming College Women’s Basketball team in 2013. It would be safe to say that Fred Blowes is the driving force behind the success of female field lacrosse in Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Steve Caban (Athlete: Multi-sport Special Olympian)

Since the age of 10, Caban has competed in local, provincial, national and international competition in many sports: cross-country skiing, floor hockey, swimming, soccer, softball, basketball and 10-pin bowling.

He has travelled the world competing for Canada as an elite Special Olympian. He represented Canada at the 1999 World Special Olympics summer games in North Carolina winning three gold medals; the 2005 world winter games in Nagano, Japan, winning gold in the 5K x-country, 4th in the 1K and 5th in the 4x 1K relay; he medaled in the 2009 winter games in Boise, Idaho; and won bronze in x-country skiing at the 2013 winter games in Pyenongchang, South Korea.

Caban has medaled at many provincial and national winter and summer games. At the 2008 national winter games in Quebec City, he took home three cross-country skiing gold medals; in the 2016 national winter games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, he won one silver and two bronze in cross-country skiing.

In 2023, Caban along with a number of other Peterborough Special Olympians won gold at the provincial qualifier swim meet in Pickering. In 2024, him and his Ontario team won silver in floor hockey at the national winter games in Calgary. He will be competing in swimming at the 2024 Ontario Spring Games in Waterloo.

Caban is one of Ontario’s most decorated Special Olympians. In 2017 he was awarded the Ontario Special Olympics Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been recognized for his athletic achievements by the Government of Canada, Provincial Government and the City of Peterborough.

He is a successful athlete because of his talent and the hard work he puts into his training in order to qualify for national and world competition. One of Peterborough's most decorated athletes, Steve remains humble about his success and still enjoys playing many summer and winter sports.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Ray Kerslake (Builder: Squash)

The Peterborough native was introduced to squash while attending university. In 1975, he joined the Peterborough Racquet Club. For over 45 years, he has played in many local and area tournaments; he was the Peterborough Squash Champion in 2001 and has played in Ontario and Canadian Masters Championships over the past 25 years, winning bronze in Ontario in 2019 and placing 4th at the Canadians in 2019. He was the 60+ winner at the Paul Wilson Squash Classic in 2018 and 2019.

Kerslake’s passion for the sport has translated into his leadership role in the Peterborough Squash community. He has achieved Level 1 and 2 Squash Ontario coaching certifications. He continues to teach juniors and adults which he has done for over 40 years including a few athletes who went on to be successful at the national and international level.

A Squash57 program for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities was established in 2021. He was Club Pro at Goodlife Fitness; took over lead person for the intercity league (Kawartha Squash League); in 2010 formed the KSL a competitive league for A and B level teams from clubs in the area, Peterborough, Cobourg, Campbellford, YMCA, Trent University and Clarington. He launched ‘The Squash Shop’ at the PSC in 2013, providing high-quality equipment and racquet stringing for members and local squash players at reasonable prices.

Kerslake is the glue that brought people to the table in 2012 to find a way to create the Peterborough Squash Club (PSC), a Not-for-Profit Club run by volunteers and provide the stability that exists today.

He has chaired over 15 tournaments and has been a PSC Board member since 2013. It is the accepted fact within the squash community that if it were not for the effort, leadership, organization and commitment of Ray Kerslake, there would be no squash in Peterborough.

As a flourishing club, the PSC was recognized with the 2018 Squash Ontario ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award. Ray was individually recognized for his contributions to Peterborough squash with the 2022 Squash Ontario ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award. As a Squash Pro, program coordinator and financial lead for the PSC, Ray is a true ambassador of the game. He is a ‘Builder Extraordinaire."‘

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Barbara Mervin (Athlete: Rugby)

Mervin was born in St. John’s, Nfld and moved to Peterborough in 1984. Growing up, she was a competitive gymnast at Kawartha Gymnastics.

After seeing rugby played by the boys at Adam Scott CVI, she decided to give it a go and join the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club from 1998-2005 and was a player/coach in 2005.

She played for the University of Western Ontario, earning a B.A. in Art History and winning USPORT 2002 Rookie of the Year. From 2003 to 2005, she was an All Canadian and 2005 MVP at the National University Rugby Championships in 2004 and 2005.

Mervin was a member of the U23 Canadian team from 2002- 2004, the Senior Canadian 15’s team from 2005-2017 and the Canadian sevens team from 2008-2013.

She has played 38 international 15s games and seven international Sevens tournaments for team Canada. In world championship competition, the 15s team placed sixth in 2010, second in 2014 and fifth in 2017. The Sevens team placed first in tournaments in Vegas in 2011 and 2012, Dubai in 2011 and Hong Kong in 2012. Barbara won national championships in Ontario in 2002 and 2005 and three in British Columbia.

She moved to British Columbia and has continued to be involved in rugby as a head coach and assistant coach with the following organizations: BC Grassroots Rugby, University of Victoria, Westshore Rugby Club and Shawnigan Lake School.

She served and continues to serve Rugby Canada in many different capacities: Player’s Association, Club Rugby National Board of Directors, and Canadian Rugby Foundation Scholarship Award Committee.

Mervin has received a great deal of recognition for her contribution to the sport of rugby: the 2015 Gillian Florence Award - Rugby Canada Player’s Player Award, 2020 Inductee Rugby Canada Hall of Fame and 2021 Inductee University of Western Hall of Fame.

She completed the fashion design program at Pacific Design College, and in 2012, she founded her line of rugby active wear explicitly made for girls and produced in Canada

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Anna Panton (Athlete/Builder: Lawn Bowling)

Born in Peterborough, Panton joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957 and after her military career, she returned home to Peterborough in 1964.

She has been a presence in lawn bowling for over 25 years. Panton contributed to the success of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club as President of the Board of Directors from 2005-2013, overseeing the entire operation of the Club. She was a benefactor for the relocated Club in 2010 and worked to ensure a space for the Club to continue to play.

She is a Level 1 and 2 Certified Coach. Panton coached a District 14 novice team in 2005-2006 and has conducted clinics to train new skips and vices.

From 2003 to 2019, she umpired 16 district, provincial, and national events. As a player, she won trophies in 93 open tournaments between 1999 and 2023. At the Senior Games, she won gold in 2002, bronze in 2007 and gold in pairs in 2009. In 2005, she won two hot shot awards for scoring perfect ends.

In 2007, Panton was named the WOBA ‘Lady Bowler of the Week.’ She was a part of 19 District Championships as a PLBC team member; won ladies single handicap trophy 10 times 1999-2019; ladies novice District 14 Champion three times; ladies fours District 14 Champions five times; ladies pairs District 14 Champions 2005, 2007; ladies seniors District 14 Champions 2005, 2007, 2008; six-time OLBA Provincial medals; Bowls Canada Boulingrin Canadian ladies senior silver medalists 2005 and OLBA mixed pairs District 14 Champions in 2007.

In 2012, Panton received the ‘Award of Merit’ from Bowls Canada for chairing the mixed pairs Canadian Championship. In 2017, Panton and Bob Matthews won the prestigious 71st Black Family Memorial Trophy Mixed Pairs PLBC Tournament for the first time.

On the bowling greens, Panton’s role is that of Skip, managing gameplay and calling the shots. She is an active member of the foundation of the PLBC and proves on and off the bowling greens that she is a valuable and trusted leader within the PLBC organization. When not lawn bowling, Anna is a golfer and curler.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Brent Tully (Athlete: Hockey)

The Peterborough native grew up playing hockey in the church league for St. Anne’s 1980-84. He played for the Minor Petes from minor Atom to major Bantam between 1984-89.

He was captain of the OMHA Bantam Peterborough Petes Champions in 1989. Tully was also an accomplished lacrosse player winning several provincial championships and one national championship with the Peterborough Minor Lakers in 1987.

Drafted by his hometown team in the second round in 1990, the 6’3 defenseman established himself as an elite player in the OHL from 1990-1994.

During his tenure with the Petes, he scored 30+ points in all three of his full-time seasons. The Petes were the OHL Champions and Memorial Cup runner-up in the 1992-1993 season. Tully was a second-team OHL All-Star for the 1992-93 season. In 1991, Tully was selected to Team Ontario U17 and won Gold at the Canada Winter Games; selected to Team Canada U18 in 1992 winning a world U18 silver medal in Yokohama Japan and won Gold twice while playing on the 1993 and 1994 Canadian National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Tully was voted to the tournament all-star team in 1993 and captained the 1994 team. In recent years, TSN named Tully to their all time World Junior All-Star team as one of the best players to ever represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.

In 1992, the Vancouver Canucks selected Brent in the fourth round of the NHL entry draft. HE was under contract for four seasons with the Canucks and joined their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, playing from 1994-1997. He moved to Europe in 1997 to further his career in the German Elite League (DEL) with the Augsburg Panthers, Dusseldorf EG, Hannover Scorpions, Kassel Huskies and finished his career in 2002 with the Frankfurt Lions.

Tully was awarded the City of Peterborough Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1993. In 1994, as a member of the Peterborough Petes, he was named the OHL Humanitarian of the Year for his work in the Peterborough Community.

He continued his winning ways as the General Manager of the Ontario Junior Hockey League Cobourg Cougars from 2014-2017. The team captured the RBC/Centennial Cup, the Canadian Junior A Hockey Championship in 2017 under his guidance. In 2019, he was elected to the Ontario Hockey Association board of governors where he served for three years.

Tully remains the third-highest scoring Petes defenseman in team history. Brent continues to give back to local hockey as a head coach of several AAA Peterborough Petes teams.

The public is invited to attend the induction ceremony with tickets at $20. They can be purchased by emailing info@pdshof.com or calling 705-743-6897.

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