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Recognizing those who make a Difference in Richmond Hill's Sporting Community and Fomer Olympics
Back to SearchContact: Karin Ash, Manager, Cultural Services, 905-508-7012, ext. 225, karin.ash@richmondhill.ca
RICHMOND HILL – The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame recognizes and honours the inspirational athletes and sports builders within our community.
This year, the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame Committee selected the following inductees: Olympic coach travelling to Rio 2016, David Ross (trampoline); former Olympian, Emanuel Sandhu (figure skating); former Olympic coaches, Joanne McLeod and Marijane Stong (figure skating); as well as Phyllis Rawlinson (equestrian), Stan Pagonis (baseball) and Tom Graham (past Director and former Chairman of the Richmond Hill Arena Association and founder of the Sports Hall of Fame).
“With everyone looking forward to Rio 2016, it’s worth noting that Richmond Hill has had a strong history and participation in the Olympics,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “I am proud to recognize these seven strong, hardworking individuals who are such great representatives of our community and helped to bring awareness of the value of sports through the roles they played in Richmond Hill and their sport.”
The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame currently has 39 inductees and is located at the Elgin Barrow Arena. It was named after the 2006 Sports Hall of Fame inductee and lifetime Richmond Hill resident Elgin Barrow, founding member and former Director of the Minor Hockey Association.
“As we get ready to watch the Olympics, we are mindful of the role sports play in building our community,” said Paul Eden, Chair of Sports Hall of Fame Committee. “It is important to recognize the contributions of the athletes from Richmond Hill who have dedicated themselves to the sport. We invite sport lovers and residents to purchase tickets to witness the induction Ceremony and celebrate the achievements of our local athletes and sports builders.”
These Richmond Hill athletes and sports builders will be honoured at the 2016 Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Elvis Stojko will be the emcee for the evening. Tickets ($20 per person, children under 6 are free but must have a ticket) are for sale to the public at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office at rhcentre.ca or at 905-787-8811.
The public can visit the Sports Hall of Fame year-round and is invited to share their Sports Hall of Fame memories using #SportsHallRH. For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/SportHall.
Backgrounder
Phyllis Rawlinson
Ms. Rawlinson was the captain of the team that won the Eglinton Hunt Club polo shield, the Polo Bending Race at the Eglinton Hunt Horse Show and scored four of the six goals for the winning team at the Richmond Hill Fair in May 1930.
Emanuel Sandhu
Trained and raised in Richmond Hill, Emanuel Sandhu is a two-time Olympian, a three-time Canadian Champion, the 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final Chamption and the 2004 and 2005 Skate Canada Champion. Known for his power, grace and innovation, Mr. Sandhu was the first figure skater to complete a triple/triple/triple jump combination in competition and is the inventor of the “Sandhu Spin” (aka A frame).
David Ross
David Ross will be in Rio, Brazil in August 2016 as coach of Canada's trampoline team, and flag bearer Rosie MacLennan. He has been a coach of the Canadian Trampoline Team, every World Championship since 1976 and a five-time Olympic coach, coaching to six medals. Mr. Ross is the founder, president and coach of Skyriders Trampoline Place in Richmond Hill, and was names Ontario male Coach of the year in 2000 and 2008 and was named Canadian Coach of the year in 2012.
Marijane Stong
Marijane Stong is a six-time Olympic figure skating coach and coached at the World Championships from 1969-1995. She has coached numerous national and international junior and senior champtions and medalists. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Stong was named Femal Coach of the year in 1992, has been Skate Canada National Coach Consultant since 1999, and was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 2008.
Joanne McLeod
Joanne McLeod is the founder and former director of the York Region Skating Acadamy in Richmond Hill. She is a certified level 5 coach and her many accomplishments as a figure skating coach include coaching at three Olympic Games, 17 World Championships, 10 Junior World Championships, four European Championships, and 17 Four Continents Championships. Joanne was named Skate Canada National Coach of the year in 2004.
Stan Pagonis
Stan Pagonis has been a coach in Richmond Hill for 29 seasons with the Richmond Hill Phoenix Baseball Club and has held multiple positions in local baseball including, coach, umpire, President of Richmond Hill Pheonix Baseball Club, Baseball Ontario Board of Directors member and Vice President at the York Simcoe Baseball Association.
Tom Graham
Tom Graham started his volunteer work in Richmond Hill as a coach and manager with the Richmond Hill Hockey Association, moved on to become President of the Richmond Hill Hockey Association (1971-1975), Director of the Richmond Hill Arena Association (1976-1985), and Chairman of the Richmond Hill Arena Association (1985-1997). Mr. Graham was also the founder of the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and served as the first Chairman of the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame. He has been involved in Richmond Hill's sports/arenas in a variety of capacities from 1964-present.