AIR FORCE BIRTHDAY
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Varsity Sports Award Ceremony – Athletes Front & Center!
By: WJO
BGen Tom Lawson, Commandant and LCol Tony O’Keeffe, Director of Cadets were the leading cheerleaders at the Annual Sports Award Ceremony last Thursday night which was held in Yeo Hall, New Gym / Cadet Mess.
Athletes and coaches from 11 varsity teams along with the Sandhurst team were all recognized and lauded – some more than others – in a number of different ways.
DCdt was his usual upbeat and passionate self in speaking to the elite level cadet athletes; sharing some of his own personal “ups & downs” from past world class level competitions. His emphasis was being prepared by training smart, consistently, and being mentally strong. Not surprisingly, his audience was all ears and were hanging on to every word by the Canadian Forces Hall of Fame member.
BGen Lawson presented a number of special awards to key individuals who are considered essential, if the teams are going to move forward and be successful. Captain Donald Couzens, (M) volleyball; Mr. David Howes, Fencing were recognized for significant contributions. Mr. Mike Postovit, CKWS TV personality was called to the stage and cited for his consistent and tireless efforts in promoting RMC varsity sports to a local and regional audience.
The evening was closed out by the presentation of Commandant coins to five unsung heroes. OCdts: Rachel Middleton, (W) Fencing; Derek Kaman, (M) Rugby; Matthew Jokela, (M) Volleyball; Landon Lavictoire, Hockey; and Juno Tousignant, (M) Fencing were all caught by surprise and asked to come forward by BGen Lawson. The always classy soon to be Major General described numerous examples of how each of these five were key components in helping their team achieve a goal.
Among the special guests who assisted in the presentation of awards were: S109 Major (Ret’d) Danny McLeod; S125 Major (Ret’d) Bill Oliver; 5300 Captain (N) (Ret’d) Robert Thomas; 3521 Colonel (Ret’d) Charles Simonds; S150 LColonel (Ret’d) Peter Dawe, Executive Director RMC Club, and 22621Tara Dawe, widow of Captain Matthew Dawe.
All those working behind the scenes to pull off an event of this magnitude deserve a tip of the hat. Darren Cates, DAth; Guy Dube, Varsity Sports Manger; and the go-to-guy Jocelyn Girard who was working his 13th straight RMC Varsity Sports Awards Night all deserve kudos for the manner in which they mentored the responsible cadets through the organizing process.
The cadet leadership of OCdt Nirmalan Jeganathan, CWVSO (Varsity Sports Officer)was key to a smooth evening. OCdt Josée Belcourt volunteered to help us out with the awards presentation which also went without a hitch and according to script.
The two impressive MCs for the evening were OCdt Julie-Christine (JC) Lasalle of the women’s basketball team; and OCdt Mike Soros from the hockey team. Both were poised, highly professional and ensured the program ran smoothly and on time.
It will be a tough act to follow.
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THE MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Nicolas St-Amant, 21, from Brampton, ON, has been instrumental in the successful return of the RMC running team over the past few years. St-Amant was named recipient of the H.R.H. Prince of Wales Cup for his excellence in all four components throughout his college years.
Paul Bradley, 25, a fourth year History student from Calgary, AB, was named recipient of the Tommy Smart Cup as RMC Male Athlete of the Year. Bradley is a two-time OUA All-Star, who finished this past season second on the RMC all-time scoring list with an impressive 130 points after four seasons.
Third year Business Administration student Vanessa Larochelle-Meilleur, 20, won the Kelly Gawne Memorial Cup as RMC Female Athlete of the Year. Larochelle-Meilleur, who also earned the top 3rd Year and Outstanding Athlete awards, earned these accolades on the heels of her recent gold medal victory at the Canadian National World Cup team trials in Laval, QC, this past March.
The Captain Matthew Dawe Memorial Cup is awarded annually to the outstanding male or female ROTP varsity athlete, of any year, who excels in all aspects of College life at RMC. Anna Dupuis, 21, from St. Andrew’s West, ON, has been a key member of the women’s basketball team over the past four years. Having served as team captain the past two seasons, the Honours Psychology student has been a tremendous leader, mentor and ambassador for the women’s basketball program and the college throughout her time at RMC. Pictured with Anna – Peter Dawe, father of Matthew and Tara the widow of the former H.R.H. Prince of Wales Cup winner who was killed in Afghanistan 4 July 2007.
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RMC TEAM OF THE YEAR: MEN’S RUGBY
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ANNUAL SPORTS AWARD CEREMONY RECIPIENTS
Hutton Trophy (Best 1st Year Cadet): Awarded to the first year cadet who makes the most outstanding achievements in athletics during the current College year.
Recipient: ………………………………………………………… Abby Edmison, Women’s Basketball
Hutton Trophy (Best 2nd Year Cadet): Awarded to the second year cadet who makes the most outstanding achievements in athletics during the current College year.
Recipient: …………………………………………………………………. Richard Lim, Men’s Hockey
RMC Military Club of Canada Trophy (Best 3rd Year Cadet): Awarded to the third year cadet who makes the most outstanding achievements in athletics during the current College year.
Recipient: ………………………………………………….Vanessa Larochelle-Meilleur, Taekwondo
RMC Military Club Canada Hamilton Branch Cup (Best 4th Year Cadet): Awarded to the fourth year cadet who makes the most outstanding achievements in athletics during the current College year.
Recipients: …………………………………………………………… Olivier Belanger-Nzakimuena, Fencing
and OCdt Nirmalan Jeganathan, Taekwondo
Fair Play Award: Presented to the student athlete who demonstrated to the coaching staff and his/her teammates an attitude of fair play towards opponents, officials and everyone else that he/she comes in contact with both on and off the field of play.
Recipient: ……………………………………………………………………….Tyler Spice, Men’s Hockey
The Kelly Gawne Memorial Cup: Awarded annually to the female athlete of the year.
Recipient: ……………………………………………………Vanessa Larochelle-Meilleur, Taekwondo
The Tommy Smart Cup: Awarded annually to the male athlete of the year.
Recipient: …………………………………………………………………………. Paul Bradley, Men’s Hockey
The Douglas Massey Cook Memorial Cup: Awarded annually to the Team of the Year.
Recipient: ……………………………………………………………………………. Men’s Rugby Team
The Whitaker Cup: Awarded annually to the RMC Officer-Cadet who has been the best team captain of an RMC team sport.
Recipient: ………………………………… Anna Dupuis and Sharlene Harding, Women’s Basketball
The H.R.H. The Prince of Wales Cup: Awarded annually to a Fourth-Year Cadet in recognition of excellent athletic performance and strong performance in the four pillars (academic, military, physical fitness and bilingualism) throughout their entire college years.
Recipient: ………………………………………………………………….. Nicolas St-Amant – Running
The Captain Matthew Dawe Memorial Cup: Awarded annually to the outstanding male or female ROTP varsity athlete, of any year, who excels in all aspects of College life at RMC.
Recipient: ……………………………………………………….. Anna Dupuis – Women’s Basketball
The Outstanding Athlete Award: Awarded to those cadets whose athletic performance has been clearly recognized as outstanding not only against the immediate intercollegiate competition, but also at the national intercollegiate level or its’ equivalent in provincial, national or international events.
Recipient: ……………………………………………….. Vanessa Larochelle-Meilleur – Taekwondo
Photos of Varsity Sports Award Ceremony: Brad Lowe
Martial artist, hockey star garner top honours – The Whig
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Corporal Paul Bradley – History Maker
First Non – Red Coat to win Tommy Smart Cup
By: WJO
Corporal Paul Bradley, The Princess of Wales Own Regiment (PWOR) is the 2009 winner of The Tommy Smart Cup.
The T.S.C. has been around RMC since 1927. It is arguably the best known sports award at the college.
Given by the Class of 1927, in memory of Gentleman Cadet Thomas William Smart who was killed during a football practise at RMC on 12 October 1926. It is awarded annually to the best all round male athlete during the current College year.
Over the years the better cadet athletes from a particular era have been the recipients. All Canadian basketball player, Kevin Dulude won it four times 2001 – 04; Walter Scott a swimmer was a three time winner in the early 1950s. Paul Hungler won twice 1999 & 2000. Hugh Cunningham for his exploits in swimming, water polo, and senior football was also a two time winner 1960 & 61.
Cpl Bradley has been a main stay with the Paladins for the past four years. He has accumulated 130 points during that time span well over a point a game average. 16009 Steve Molaski had 205 over five varsity seasons – 1984-88. 16440 Don Gillingham had well over 100 points also over five campaigns 1985-89. Both had come through the Dr. Wayne Kirk recruiting system.
Tradition broken…
It was about six years ago when the first “non RMC cadet” – goalie, John Haggis from Calgary broke tradition. John was not a “redcoat” but a student in Division of Continuing Studies which came into existence at RMC in 1998. John was also an officer cadet with PWOR. He met the eligibility guidelines for OUA. DCS students are not integrated into the better known RMC four pillar program. This has caused concern, and confusion in some circles.
Since the John Haggis debut, dozens of DCS students have played on most of the RMC varsity teams but primarily the hockey team. About three or four years ago a trend was developing that the hockey team had more core players who were in the one pillar program than cadets. By memory, the number was 10 out of 20 players who were not in the four pillar program. .
College authorities of the day became concerned. Steps were taken to limit the number of “non redcoats” for each team.
Hockey for example was limited to seven. By augmenting with these otherwise bona fide students, it was expected that the Paladins would have respectable results over the course of league play. This has been the case for the hockey team. It would not be a stretch to say that without the DCS students, hockey would be lucky to win more than a game or two a season.
During his acceptance, Cpl Bradley mentioned…
“As cadets, I have seen first hand the extra work that you all put into being an athlete, a student, and a future leader at RMC. Student-athletes at other universities would not be able to comprehend the work that goes into it.
Being a unique student at RMC, I can assure you the road has not been easy for myself either, for some similar and some different reasons. It too has been a journey of ambivalence as I am sure you can all agree. However, I stand here in front of you today proud of every uniform I have been fortunate enough to put on here because of RMC. I am proud of the things my teammates and I have accomplished over the years, and the things that they will continue to do. I am grateful for the friendships I have made…”
The 25 year old Calgary native added, “The lessons I have learned here at RMC have been invaluable, and it’s just so that the majority of the best ones have come out of my locker room. That is where the growing happens.”
The fourth year, History student also eloquently expressed thanks to BGen Lawson, LCol O’Keefe, LCol Rod Mc Donald, Bill Oliver, Peter Dawe, Darren Cates and Guy Dube for supporting him through his time at RMC.
“Coming into an institution in the facet I have has pushed the envelope for some at times I am aware. But I sincerely believe in the program, what it adds, and I appreciate the opportunity it has given me. Prior to my arrival at RMC, I had no family history in the Canadian Forces. Being from out west, I didn’t really even know about the college. It is safe to say without this program I would not have joined the CF.”
It should be added that the many cadets we spoke with, in regards to his selection for this award, were very supportive and felt he has proven to be the best all round male athlete during the current College year.
Congratulations, Corporal Paul Bradley – you’re a deserving winner!