The best of Harbour Grace’s athletic and volunteer community were honoured April 30 at the annual Sports Hall of Fame and Town Awards reception April 30 at the Danny Cleary Harbour Grace Community Centre.

Nice individuals and groups were celebrated including the induction of Ron Martin into the Sports Hall of Fame as a builder for his contributions to the development of minor soccer.

In addition to helping establish minor soccer, Martin coached and refereed, and also was heavily involved in the men’s soccer league.

The Mayor and Councillors Award went to the Splash Centre, which provides programs and support for Conception Bay North (CBN) youth.

“For 25 years, the Splash Centre committee and board have been at the heart of something truly special in Harbour Grace,” said Deputy Mayor Gary Baker. “What began as an idea has grown into a vital community hub. Their accomplishments speak volumes. The Splash Centre combines recreation, education, and social supports to help our youth thrive and stay connected to their community.”

The Paul Moriarty Memorial Sport Volunteer Award went to Jamie French, who volunteered with the St. Francis School junior high basketball team over the past three years, taking them to provincials twice. He has also assisted with the school’s year-end sports day. French is also part of the Splash Centre staff.

The Dick Power Memorial Award for Team of the Year went to the Harbour Grace Cold Storage Rowing Team. Guided by coxswain Fred Chafe, the team consists of 14 and 15-year-old boys. In 2025, the team rowed in all three regattas, coming first in both Placentia and Harbour Grace. At the St. John’s Regatta, their rowing was hindered by a build-up of weeds around their buoy. The boys ultimately came in second, but exhibited great sportsmanship and congratulated the first-place team; this was the main reason they were nominated for Team of the Year.

The 1992 Summer Games Scholarship went to Hunter Williams, who played volleyball at Carbonear Collegiate, serving as co-captain during Grade 12. He has since graduated with plans to become a physical education teacher, but volunteers at his old school as an assistant volleyball coach. It was not the first time Williams received an award from the Town of Harbour Grace and its sports museum as he was awarded 2024 Senior Male Athlete of the Year at last year’s reception.

For the second year in a row, the Sonia Williams Award for Junior Female Athlete of the Year went to Lily Moriarty, who excels at hockey, soccer, and volleyball. She was a member of the CTP Devils female hockey team that won the Provincial U15 A Championship in 2024. She also won provincial bronze with the Tri-Pen Ice AA U18 female hockey team. When it comes to soccer, she was on the CBN Lightning U15 female soccer team that won the Provincial Mega Tier 2 Tournament in Bay Roberts in 2025.

The Jamie Korab Award for Junior Male Athlete of the Year went to Simon Fortune. A member of the Harbour Grace Cold Storage Rowing Team, Fortune also participates in hockey, soccer, basketball, and cross-country. As part of the U15 AAA Tri-Pen Osprey hockey team, he and his team won gold at the 2025 Atlantic Cup. With the CBN team in the Newfoundland Soccer Association, he won gold in the 2025 Anchor Cup. A member of Carbonear Collegiate’s Grade 9 cross-country club, he placed in the top five at the Harvest Run.

The Doris Murcell Memorial Award for Senior Female Athlete of the Year went to Jade Bennett for the second consecutive year. Bennett has been a soccer official for various tournaments and is an instructor with the CBN Minor Soccer Association. She is also a member of the AAA gold medalist Carbonear Collegiate girls senior basketball team, and competes in soccer and cross-country for her school.

The final award, the S.W. Moores Memorial Award for Senior Male Athlete of the Year, went to Braeden Sullivan. Captain of the Avalon Minor Football team, the CBN Warriors, he was named MVP in 2025. He also played on the football team representing Team NL at the Atlantic Bowl. Sullivan coaches flag football, and played on Carbonear Collegiate’s boys volleyball team. Sullivan is also taking lifesaving courses, having earned his Bronze Medallion in 2025. He is on track to earn his Bronze Cross this year.

The award winners included, starting with the top row and going from left to right: (1) Winners of the Dick Power Memorial Award for Team of the Year, Harbour Grace Cold Storage. From left: Brendan Chafe; Jacob Chafe; Luke Pike, Ben Bailey, Rylan Chafe, sponsor Amy Dwyer, Evan Johnson, Simon Fortune and coxswain Fred Chafe. Missing from photo are Liam Evan, Tyler Snow, and Nicholas Barrett. (2) Hunter Williams, left, being presented with 1992 Summer Games Scholarship by Harbour Grace Sports Museum committee member Frank Finlayson. (3) Harbour Grace Jamie French being presented with Paul Moriarty Memorial Sport Volunteer Award by Helen Pembroke. (4) Harbour Grace Junior Female Athlete of the Year Lily Moriarty, left, being presented with the Sonia Williams Award by its namesake. (5) Junior Male Athlete of the Year Simon Fortune, left, being presented with the Jamie Korab Award by Jamie Korab. (6) Harbour Grace Senior Female Athlete of the Year Jade Bennett, left, being presented with the Doris Murcell Memorial Award by Harbour Grace-Port de Grave MHA Pam Parsons. (7) Senior Male Athlete of the Year Braeden Sullivan, left, being presented with the S.W. Moores Memorial Award by Harbour Grace Deputy Mayor Gary Baker. (8) Splash Centre representatives being presented with the Mayor & Councillors Award by Deputy Mayor Gary Baker. From left: Jamie French, Hayward Blake, Gary Baker, Judy McCarthy, Juanita Verge, and Allison Seward.

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Holyrood council last week voted to reallocate $908,060 in provincial government funding earmarked for the construction of a new community centre to sewer upgrades and other recreation upgrades instead.

“This project funding had to be spent by the end of the year, December 31 of 2026, this year, or it would be lost,” explained councilor Steve Winsor. “It’s a use-it-or-lose it sort of thing. But because we’re not shovel ready with the community center project – we’re in an earlier concept (phase) and seeking public feedback – so, there’s no way you would be able to start and finish that building in this time frame. You can’t do that. So, to preserve project funding, we’re moving the funding to more immediate projects that are near term and readily available to execute this year and we’ll reapply for the community center under an appropriate funding program.”

Winsor said the reallocation of the money in no way means a change of plans in regard to the centre itself.

“We’re doing this to protect funding,” said Winsor. “We’re not losing the community centre. We’re not losing funding. This is a very smart and proactive measure recommended by staff, which I support. I think it’s the right thing to do.”

A concept design and land survey for the proposed community centre have been completed to the tune of about $100,000 (much of which was covered by provincial government), and the Town recently hosted a hearing to gather community feedback.

Council announced its intention to apply for funding for the new centre in 2023 and was allocated the $908,060 in 2024 with a deadline to spend it by the end of this year.

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Holyrood council last week voted to send recreation and community services director Kyle Hawco to the Atlantic Recreation & Facilities Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia from May 20-22.

“This event is the main Atlantic gathering for the recreation and facilities sector and focuses on professional development, best practices, networking, and partnership building,” said recreation lead councillor Sandra Crawley. “It includes keynote speakers, sector-specific sessions – aquatics, programming, facilities, trails, events, etcetera – an exhibitor trade show, and opportunities to collaborate with municipal and community recreation leaders from across Atlantic Canada.”

The cost of attendance, including all travel and expenses, is $2,135 and will be paid out of the recreation budget.

“These are very important opportunities, and we support our director attending,” said Mayor Laura Crawley.

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Parents in Paradise can now opt to pay for summer camp in installments rather than make the entire cost upfront.

Summer camps cost $130 per week per child. Previously, the only option available for parents was to pay online during the registration process or within 24 hours of registering. But following receipt of a letter from a resident wondering whether the payment couldn’t be meted out in installments, parents can now pay in installments rather than all at once,

Registration for summer camps opened on April 14 for Paradise residents.

Councillor Glen Carew said he checked with staff, and the recommendation was that should council decide to allow for scheduled payments, the total cost would be made payable over three separate pay periods. Payments would be due April 14, May 1, and May 22.

Should the payment not be received in full by end of day on May 22, the child would lose the spot. 

Registration for non-residents opens on April 21.

Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Niblock said the matter could be addressed without a formal vote of council as long as everyone was agreeable, and so the Town has since implemented the new payment option.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street declared a potential conflict of interest as a relative is involved in an afterschool program.

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After receiving letters requesting it, the Town of Harbour Grace is looking into installing an accessibility ramp at the Danny Cleary Harbour Grace Community Centre.

Deputy Mayor Gary Baker told council last week that two letters requesting a ramp had been received. According to Baker, the issue had been brought to the previous council shortly before last fall’s election but due to lack of time, they were not able to address it.

The ramp would be located inside the rink and allow wheelchair-users to view the ice surface from ground level.

“Apparently there was one at the old stadium,” said Baker. “And they’re requesting one be installed at the new stadium.”

Baker said he had discussed the issue with councillor Lee Rogers, who served on the previous council, and Rogers agreed to take measurements to determine what’s needed.

Mayor Terry Barnes pointed out the arena does have a public viewing place, but added it is located upstairs, which would not be desirable for everyone.

Baker said the upstairs area provides an obstructed view and dampened noise. “They can’t hear the commotion and get involved in the game,” he added.

Barnes supported looking into the request, noting council agreed months ago it would work on making all public places owned by the Town accessible.

Baker allowed a ramp would be a very simple fix.

It’s not the first time Baker, who is a doctor, has brought accessibility issues to the table. He previously received a request to look into accessibility barriers at all of Harbour Grace’s public spaces and parks, and shared a resident’s concerns about the accessibility of S.W. Moores Park with council. Baker also looked into resident concerns about potential hearing damage caused by the airhorn at the Danny Cleary Centre. He ultimately moved a motion to have the horn silenced. The motion carried unanimously.

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Conception Bay South councillor Gerard Tilley and Deputy Mayor Andra Gosse had a personal matter to settle ahead of last week’s public council meeting.

Tilley is a former Holy Spirit High Falcon, while Gosse is a proud Queen Elizabeth High Pioneer.

Each year, the two wager on which boys’ team will win the Winterfest Fred Squires Shield hockey tournament. The loser has to don their opponent’s jersey at a public council meeting.

Tilley said that outside of Christmas, the day is maybe his favourite day of the year – depending on the outcome of the tournament, of course.

This year, the cards fell in Tilley’s favour, and the Falcons prevailed over the Pioneers.

Gosse was a good sport and wore the jersey for the entirety of the meeting, despite many a joke about whether Tilley had washed it or not.

While the Holy Spirit boys captured the Fred Squires Shield, the Queen Elizabeth girls won the Annie Parsons Shield. In the Junior High contest, the Frank Roberts boys won in the male division, while the Villanova Vipers won the girls tournament.

Each year, a portion of the tournaments’ ticket revenue collected from at the gate from the parents and fans who fill the stands, is donated to the four schools.

On hand to collect the funds at last week’s council meeting were representatives of Villa Nova Junior High, Frank Roberts Junior High, Holy Spirit High and Queen Elizabeth Regional High School. Each high school team received $1,517, while each junior high squad got $787.

Council also extended its congratulations to the CB Senior Blues for winning the Avalon East Senior Hockey League finale and punching their ticket to the Herder championship series for the first time in the club’s history.

“The Herder championship trophy is the equivalency of the Stanley Cup for senior hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador,” noted Tilley.

Games one and two will be held at CBS Arena on March 28 and 29.

The Blues are also hosting the top prize for amateur senior hockey in Canada, the Allan Cup, at CBS Arena the week of April 19^th to the 25^th.

Representatives of Villa Nova Junior High, Frank Roberts Junior High, Holy Spirit High and Queen Elizabeth Regional High School attended last week’s Conception Bay South public council meeting to accept donations raised during the four Shield tournaments held during Winterfest in CBS this past February. Accepting the cheque from Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse, in left photo, were Solomon Murray and Lauren Picco on behalf of the Holy Spirit Falcons. In centre photo, councillor Gerard Tilley made the presentation to Queen Elizabeth Pioneers (from left) Katie Ruston, Heather Gillingham, and Declan Flynn. And in right photo, councillor Rex Hillier, centre, presented the cheque for the Frank Roberts Ravens to Seth Peach, left, and Brooklyn Power. Villanova teacher and parent sponsor Lisa Corbett accepted the Town’s donation on behalf of the Villanova Vipers. Mark Squibb photos

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Paradise residents will get a chance at the end of April to attend a public presentation and question the consultants who put together the report on the feasibility of a Town swimming pool.

Stantec Consulting Ltd., which compiled the report, will be paid a further $2,750, plus HST, to present it to the public and take questions.

“We did have a lot of public engagement on the pool feasibility and that allowed for some community feedback during those engagements,” said councillor Jennifer Hiscock, who brought the item forward during her recreation update to council earlier this month. “The report was presented at our public council meeting for our committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 2. That meeting was also (live streamed).”

The public presentation will take place the last week of April and a written report uploaded the week of April 13 with opportunities for feedback and questions.

Stantec was awarded the pool feasibility study contract at a price of $74,897, HST included, in May 2025 and presented its findings to council in December. The study determined the base cost for a pool would be $46 million, but could be upwards of $67 million depending on factors such as size and location.

Stantec proposed either building the pool onto the Double Ice Complex or near the Dianne Whalen sports field. It estimated a steel structure with a 25-metre lap pool built onto the Double Ice Complex would cost $46.8 million while a 50-metre lap pool would cost nearly $61.7 million. A timber construction would be slightly cheaper for a 25-metre lap pool at $47.2 million, and the 50-metre lap pool version costing nearly $62 million.

Building a pool at the Dianne Whalen sports field, meanwhile, would cost between $49.9 million and $67.6 million based on whether a steel or timber construction is used. Stantec stated the prices come with a 20 per cent design and pricing contingency, 10 per cent construction contingency, and are accurate within 30 per cent in either direction, with about an expected six per cent cost increase per year.

There were 1,921 completed online surveys as part of the feasibility study and while between 80 and 90 percent of respondents agreed a pool would improve the quality of life of residents, some did voice concerns over tax increases and sustainability.

The feasibility study estimated annual operating costs of $1.8 million and outlined revenue scenarios to cover some of those costs. The Town would need to register 2,500 swimmers at a cost of $70 per 10 lessons and 276,000 swimmers at a drop-in rate of $2.50 to $5 per swimmer, as well as book 1,200 rental hours at a cost of $15 per hour to recover even half of the pool’s annual operating cost.

Around 85 per cent of online survey respondents said they would be willing to pay additional taxes to support a pool. Stantec recommended the Town tax residents an additional $100 per dwelling per year to cover the pool’s remaining operating costs.

Councillors acknowledged there are strong opinions within the community on both sides of this issue.

“There isn’t an event you go to that you don’t hear residents talking about the pool feasibility study, whether it be one side or the other,” said councillor Sheldon Antle. “Part of the work that we do as councillors and as council is engage with residents and in order to engage with residents, we need to provide them with the information they need to help us determine which direction that they, as individuals who put us in these seats, would like us to move.”

Hiscock said there will be no RSVP required from residents to attend the meeting and Stantec staffers will be available to answer questions. It was clarified the primary intention of the meeting will be to inform residents and not to compile formal feedback, though comments and questions can be forwarded to councillors and through the engagement@paradise.ca email.

The Town acknowledged that residents had identified the need for a pool within its Paradise 2027 Strategic Plan and committed to completing a feasibility study.
Councillors stated that a decision has not been made on building a pool and Hiscock, when asked, said there is no set timeline on any council decision following the public presentation.

“I don’t think it’s something imminent that needs to be decided right away,” she said. “I think we need to make some big decisions there, so I think we are going to have to take our time and figure that out, but I don’t think there’s a set deadline for us to make that decision.”

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For some CB Blues fans, this month’s capture of the Avalon East Senior Hockey championship was a year overdue.

That’s because the team’s disciplined, fast moving style of play seemed to have set them on a course last season for their first league win, only to be eliminated by the eventual champions, the Clarenville Caribous, despite having dominated them in play during the semi-finals.

But club president and coach Jonathan Kavanagh is the first to give credit the Caribous, and to the St. John’s Caps, whom the Blues dominated this year in four straight games setting them on the way to their first ever Herder Trophy final to determine the top senior amateur hockey team in Newfoundland.

“It is exciting and almost a little bit of a relief to finally get that first one,” Kavanagh said of the league championship. “I haven’t actually looked this up, but I’m pretty confident that if we went back to 2018, we’ve lost in the playoffs to the eventual league champion every year… This is actually the first time we’ve ever been in the final of our league.”

Kavanagh said he was growing confident throughout the season that this was the year the Blues would win it. The team had a deep line up that other teams found hard to match.

Against the Caps, the Blues were able to roll out four fast skating, highly competitive lines, whereas the St. John’s squad often found itself shortening its bench to two lines.

“I think the depth was really what separated us against both teams that we played in the play-offs. Depth was the deal breaker,” Kavanagh said.

The reason for that depth is that the Blues probably have more players who have been away to play major junior and higher levels of hockey on the mainland during their younger years. 

“It’s those guys who have played that real competitive hockey their whole lives that really have the ability to elevate and get to this time of year, knowing that you’ve got to make yourself a little bit better and you’ve got to be a little finer tuned to detail,” Kavanagh said. “Of the 25 on our roster, 17 or 18 maybe have played away, if not more. It is a lot, but that is not uncommon for our league now. Just in general, our league has got to a whole new level of competitiveness since I first got involved many years ago. And even in the last five years, there’s a new rebirth of kids coming home a little bit earlier than they were years ago and jumping in and playing senior hockey right away. So, in my opinion, the league is younger than it’s ever been and its stronger than it’s ever been for that exact reason, that there’s a higher number of kids who have played away who are available.”

Four of the Caribous, for example, whom the Blues will meet again next month when they host the Allan Cup in Kelligrews, actually played hockey as professionals. 

What differentiates the Blues from other clubs is the players’ self-discipline, refusing to take the bait when opponents fail to slow them down and turn to dirty play in the hopes of throwing them off their game. That, and their strength inside the other team’s blueline. The Blues’ offensive zone style, exemplified by captain Kyle Tibbo, is characterized by smart and creative positional play, and quick puck movement with lots of short passes and unexpected shots at the net.

“All the credit for that goes to the players themselves, wo have committed to play a certain style,” said Kavanagh. “We do practice every week and we do have team meetings to go over this stuff, but ultimately, compared to a pro team, we’re not practicing as often, so it comes down to the commitment of the players to do it in games and to work it out on the bench. And again, we’ve had so many players who have played away, that it’s easy for them to adapt to new styles and new linemates.”

The team’s main core of players has been the same for a few years too, Kavanagh noted, and the coaching staff, led by former pro hockey player Morgan Warren, also deserves credit, not only for insisting on the disciplined style of play the team uses, but for maintaining accountability.

It leaves the Blues in strong shape to face the champions from the Central West Senior Hockey League in the Herder finals. At the time of this writing, that league’s final is still being settled between the Grand Falls Cataracts and the Deer Lake Red Wings. The Wings swept the Herder in four straight games last year.

“It’s going to be a good team, either way,” Kavanagh said. “Both Deer Lake and Grand Falls have put together really strong teams. Grand Falls upset Corner Brook in the first round, not only by putting them out, but by doing it in a one-sided fashion, and at the start of the year, Corner Brooked was looked at as being the better team.”

In addition to local players, many of whom like the Blues have played away, each of the CWHL teams are allowed to carry three imports from outside the province. Grand Falls has two defenceman that played pro hockey, as well as two former Newfoundlanders now living on the mainland, one of whom played pro, the other top calibre college hockey.

“So, they’ve really padded their lineup,” said Kavanagh. “And out in Deer Lake there has not been a lot of turnover from last year… They have an impressive D-core, A bunch of the guys played university sports, or in the Q (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) or Junior A. And then they’ve got two import forwards, one of which actually was supposed to be on France’s Olympic team. He also played in the World Juniors years ago.”

But Deer Lake’s biggest advantage, may be its goaltender.

“They’ve added Keith Kincaid, who two or three years ago was playing for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL,” said Kavanagh. “He has 169 games played, I think, so he was a legit NHLer.”

In the first two games of the finals, Kincaid back-to-back shutouts. “So, he’s a real difference maker,” said Kavanagh.

The Blues are awaiting word from Hockey Newfoundland on whether they will be allowed to pick up “strengthening players” from within their own league for the Herder, like the teams from the Central West League were allowed to do the past few years. (Editor’s Note: Since this story was published, Hockey Newfoundland decided that Deer Lake, which won the CWHL title, can add two more imports to its roster, despite the protests of the CB Blues)

“We feel pretty strongly that the fact that they have imports should eliminate their access to strengthening players,” Kavanagh said.

In any case, the Blues are excited to meet whichever team comes in for the Herder. The first two games will be played at the CBS Arena this weekend.

“We’re confident in our team,” said Kavanagh. “I’ve looked at both teams’ rosters and I’ve watched some of their teams’ games recently, I think straight up roster against roster it will be a great series with either team having the ability to win. We’re excited to take them on, roster versus roster.”

One factor that might make a difference, he allowed, is fan support.

“The fan support is so important,” Kavanagh said. “We were really amazed down at Mile One. I’d go so far as to say 75 per cent of the fans were Blues fans. Even after we won and we were on the ice and looking up, we were recognizing so many faces and we saw people wearing Blues hoodies and Blues jerseys, it was really nice to see. A bunch of them crowded around behind our team picture. And that’s going to be important for the Herder. Our players love nothing more than when they come out for a game and the stadium is full. It just gives you that extra little push, that extra little giddy up… It’s a huge factor for us at home. It means a lot to us, and it’s a big part of what we’ve been trying to build over the years. It’s a long time coming on the ice, but we’ve also spent a lot of time building a following off the ice as well, so it’s nice to see it all come together.”

HEADING TO THE HERDER—The Baker Flooring CB Blues are heading to the Herder Trophy finals for the first time ever after sweeping the St. John’s Caps in four games in the championship series of the Avalon East Senior Hockey League. Celebrating the win at the Mary Brown’s Centre March 13 were, starting in the back row, from left: PA Announcer Sheldon Barker, Asst. Equipment Managers Nathan Farewell and Aiden Foley, Head Equipment Manager Trevor Blackler, President Pat Rose, Cole Gosse, Nathan Kelly, Tyler Wall, Danny Wicks, Zach Moody, Liam Smith, Nathan Tucker, Head Coach Morgan Warren, Andrew Ryan, Coach Bob Stead, Alex Doody, Athletic Therapist Ben Dooley, Avery Heath, Coach Keith Neary, Coach Derrick Kent, Nolan Cleary, Adam Janes, General Manager and Coach Jonathan Kavanagh; and in the front row, from left: Trainer Ben Eason, Brad Connors, Treasurer Aaron Perry, Dawson O’Toole-Didham, Nick Lindstrom, Jack Connors, Matt Jenkins, Jimmy Kennedy, Kyle Tibbo, Tyler Nickson, Andrew Rose, Brandon Bussey, Lee Dower, and Kris Hodge. The Blues will tangle with the champions from the Central West Senior Hockey League in the first game of the Herder series tomorrow (Friday) night at CBS Arena. Story page 13. Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Hynes, NLDivisionX Sports Photography

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A team of Conception Bay South minor hockey players who made their way to Ottawa last month for a national tournament returned with silver medals and golden memories of how perseverance pays off.
That’s because the Under 15A Renegades’ trip to the 21st Annual National Capital Tournament, held Feb. 20-22, was memorable for far more than just the hockey.

Travel challenges bookended the weekend, with significant weather-related flight delays both at the start and end of the trip. Some families took extended routes — including flights as far as Calgary before returning to Ottawa — while others relied on PAL Airlines milk runs or drove to Gander to secure departures. Following the tournament, it took some players and families two to three days to finally make their way home.

Despite the travel disruptions, the team remained focused, said team manager Lori Buckle.

“Several delayed players were unable to arrive in time for Game 1,” said Buckle. “When they reached Ottawa ahead of Game 2, their luggage — including their hockey equipment — had not arrived. In a strong show of teamwork and community support, parents quickly gathered spare gear so the players could take to the ice. The borrowed equipment carried them through the game until their bags arrived hours later.”

The team also relied on a local call-up goaltender for their opening game while awaiting the arrival of their own goalie.

Throughout the weekend, the Renegades demonstrated composure and determination, Buckle said, competing in tightly contested matchups and battling through overtime play. Their effort earned them a Silver Medal finish in the highly competitive tournament.

“Off the ice, the players made the most of their time in the nation’s capital, skating on the Rideau Canal and sharing team meals, strengthening friendships that extended beyond the rink,” Buckle added. “What could have derailed the tournament instead strengthened the group. The Renegades returned home with silver medals — and with a shared experience that showcased resilience, teamwork, and community spirit at its best.”

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By Mark Squibb

Multi-sport para-athlete and proud Paradise resident Gavin Baggs, 18, has been named a Team Gushue Award recipient.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Baggs of winning the award, valued at $5,000. “I’ve seen so many amazing athletes from Newfoundland win that award and so to be a part of that illustrious group was quite the honour.”
For his performance at the 2025 Summer Games, during which he nabbed a gold medal in the 1500m Wheelchair race and silver medals in Freestyle Para Swimming, 100m Wheelchair race, and 400m Wheelchair, Baggs was awarded a Roland Michener Award. He was also named a 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Co-Junior Athlete of the Year and a 2025 Paradise Junior Athlete of the Year.
Baggs is also an alternate for the Team Canada 2026 paralympic team. The Town of Paradise will host the 2026 Para Cup, and Baggs was invited to speak at the media event last month announcing the hosting decision.
“I like to keep busy and doing multiple things at once,” said Baggs. “It keeps me out of trouble and keeps me fit. I love doing parasport, no matter what the sport is. I love playing for my country, my province, my town, my school, whatever. I love competing.”
Baggs said the best advice he can give to a young person starting out with a sport or other hobby is to stick to it.
“The hardest thing is getting the feel for it,” said Baggs. “Once you get past those first steps, it becomes so much easier.”
Baggs will be pursuing a double major in education and theatre arts at the University of Calgary this fall.
A number of other Paradise athletes were named 2025 Premier’s Athletic Awards recipients, including Avery Durdle (Baseball), Jack McCarthy (Baseball), Amy Harris (Bowling), Evan Squires (Bowling), Kevin Penney (Shooting), Luke Fahey (Soccer), Hannah Neville of Paradise, and Kaiden Crocker (Taekwondo). The awards are valued at between $500 and $1,500, based on the level of competition and the athletes’ accomplishments.

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