Celebrating Richmond Hill’s Sporting Community

2017 Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

RICHMOND HILL – The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame released the names of the seven new inductees: former Olympian and current director of the York Region Skating Academy, Tracey Wainman (Figure Skating), Mary Anne Palmer (SloPitch/Softball), Jamie Joslin (Ice Hockey), Scott Mabley (Ice Hockey), Peter Pendli (Soccer), Gianni Facchini (Soccer) and Bill Woloski (Power Skating & Ice Hockey).

“Congratulations to the Class of 2017 inductees!” said Mayor Barrow. “I’ve played sports all my life and can appreciate the hard work, time and effort that goes into being a professional athlete. The dedication of sports builders and coaches who make it possible for athletes and teams to succeed in sport is invaluable.”

“With sport playing a key role in our community, it’s important to recognize those who have made an impact,” said Paul Eden, Chair of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee. “The Sports Hall of Fame celebrates those who have made contributions to Richmond Hill and who have devoted themselves to a sport.”

The Class of 2017 will be honoured at the 2017 Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to view Class of 2017 sports memorabilia and enjoy live entertainment.  Sports Hall of Fame member and former Olympian, Elvis Stojko, will be the master of ceremonies for the evening. Tickets are for sale ($20 per person, children under 6 are free, but must have a ticket) at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office at rhcentre.ca or at 905-787-8811. There is a discount of 15 per cent for groups of 10 or more.

The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame currently has 50 members and is located at the Elgin Barrow Arena. It was named after the 2006 Sports Hall of Fame member and lifetime Richmond Hill resident Elgin Barrow, founding member and former Director of the Minor Hockey Association.

For more information about the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame, visit RichmondHill.ca/SportsHall.

Backgrounder

Tracey Wainman

Tracey Wainman is a two-time Senior National Figure Skating Champion, three-time World Figure Skating Competitor, has won eight Senior International Medals, won the title of Youngest Female Canadian Championship and was awarded 1981 Canadian Athlete of the Year. Retiring from competitive figure skating in 1999, Wainman focused her talents as a full-time figure skating coach. Over the years, she has coached skaters at three Junior World Championships, two Junior Grand Prix Finals, ISU Four Continents, two Canadian National Team Members and has coached skaters who have won international and national titles. She is currently the Director of the York Region Skating Academy and coaches athletes to this day.

Mary Anne Palmer

At the age of 10, Mary Anne Palmer began her softball career playing in the Richmond Hill Minor Ball Association (RHMBA) then at the age of 16 becoming more involved by umpiring with the RHMBA. With her education in Recreation Facilities Management from Seneca College, Palmer earned a position with the Richmond Hill Arena Association as an Assistant Manager Trainee. During her time in Richmond Hill, she created the Richmond Hill Women’s Slo-Pitch League and she has held the positions of League President, Equipment Manager, Team Representative and Tournament Coordinator. With the success of the Richmond Hill Women’s Slo-Pitch League, she brought her experience and aided in the creation of the Ladies’ Master League for women over 40.

Jamie Joslin

Jamie Joslin began skating at the age of three. Since then, she has gone on to make remarkable achievements in women’s hockey. Earning a full scholarship to Robert Morris University to play NCAA Division I Hockey in 2009, Joslin quickly began making an impact. Joslin was named Rookie of the Year in 2009 and throughout her college hockey career, set program records for most goals and points by a defenseman.  She went on to win the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference Championships in the 2011/2012 season while being an Assistant Captain of the team.  In her last year at Robert Morris University, Joslin earned All Academic Team honour, proving she had continued success both on and off the ice. Upon graduation from Robert Morris University, Joslin went on to coach in the Central York Girls Hockey Association with the Midget AA Aurora Panthers and acted as one of the Assistant Coaches for the York University Women’s Hockey Team.  Today, she continues to serve as a Skills Coach for the Central York Girls Hockey Association in Aurora. 

Scott Mabley

Scott Mabley (1962 - 2003) was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League to the Oshawa Generals Major Junior “A” Team in 1972, then traded to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1973. In 1974, he was drafted #202 overall to the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League and #192 over all by the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association. In 1975, he moved to the Ontario Hockey Association Senior A League with the Orillia Terriers. Besides his hockey career, Mabley was very involved with minor hockey in Richmond Hill; even sitting on the Richmond Hill International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament committee, which ran from 1970-2001.

Gianni Facchini

Gianni Facchini began playing soccer in Richmond Hill in 1981 with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club. Facchini began to referee with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club. From 1989 – 2014, Facchini earned the titles from the Ontario Soccer Association of District Referee, Regional Referee, Provincial Referee and received a National Referee certification from the Canadian Soccer Association. In 2014, Facchini was promoted to the Professional Referees Association. Facchini has officiated numerous Ontario Cup finals. Canadian National Cup Championships and acted as Assistant Referee to North American Soccer League Championships and several Major League Soccer matches.

Peter Pendli

Peter Pendli officiated his first soccer match at the age of 13 at Richmond Green Sports Complex and from that point forward, Peter has made a career as a soccer referee. Pendli has refereed the 2008 Ontario Cup Final, Ontario University Athletics Final and Canadian National Championships. In 2013, Pendli was named to the National List of Officials where he officiated North American Soccer League matches. He has acted as a role model to Richmond Hill officials and continues to give back to this day.

Bill Woloski

Bill Woloski co-founded Richmond’s Hills very first Power Skating School in 1967 to better serve the Richmond Hill community. He ran this school from 1967-1997 acting as a place where up and coming athletes could train for competition. Being heavily involved in giving back to his community, Woloski advocated for the youth sport community as a dedicated volunteer. Woloski also acted as the General Manager for the Dynes Jeweler’s Junior Hockey Club beginning in the mid 70’s until the mid- 80s. Woloski has played a critical role in providing the example on how to give back to the Richmond Hill community.