OAA Annual Awards - Opinions

[Eric Roussin]

With the Provincial Championships less than 6 weeks away, it’s time for everyone to start thinking about who should be considered for the OAA annual awards:

Promoter of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Most Improved Puller
Murray Park Memorial Award

The winners of these awards are voted on by the members of the Executive, but all opinions are considered, so let’s hear what you think.

History Lesson:

2009 Winners:

Promoter of the Year – Joe Gould
Rookie of the Year – Brad Wade
Most Improved Puller – Gerald Ronald
Murray Park Memorial Award – Mike Gould

2008 Winners:

Promoter of the Year – Joe Gould
Rookie of the Year – Laura Cook
Most Improved Puller – Jeff Penney
Murray Park Memorial Award – Rick Heidebrecht

Here are brief descriptions of the awards:

Promoter of the Year - An individual who has made particular efforts to grow the sport of armwrestling within the province, whether by organizing tournaments, building up a strong team, encouraging new pullers, etc. will be named Promoter of the Year.

Rookie of the Year - This award will be given to a relatively new puller who has had success very quickly in the sport.

Most Improved Puller - This award will be given to a puller who has made significant performance improvements over the course of the year, through hard work and dedication.

Murray Park Memorial Award - This award will be given out to a puller who, win or lose, maintained a positive attitude and love of the sport. Sportsmanlike behaviour would certainly be demonstrated by the winner of this award.

[Eric Roussin]

OK, I'll get the ball rolling.

These are some of the people who I think would be good candidates to win these awards:

Promoter of the Year

Al Aubin
Joe Gould
Mike Gould
Jerry Milne
John Milne
Guy Windover
Mark Zalepa

Rookie of the Year

Bill Cameron
Cameron Clarke
Tyler Cook
Janek Kwais
Braden Riehl
Don Sample

Most Improved

Joel Goodsell
Philippe Lauzon
John Milne
Andrew Scott
Stefan Straub

Murray Park Award

Al Aubin
Craig Mitchell
Marcelo Palacios
Jeff Penney
Conrad Rousselle
Guy Windover


Anyone else?

[Steve Noonan]

I second Guy Windover for both or either Promoter of the year and Murray Park award he has well earned both descriptions you give...

[Chris Macpherson]

I'd say Hugh Brodie for the Murray Park award.

[Deleted]

I would agree. however Mr Brodie is a Quebec resident, and I think that prohibits him from being a candidate.

[Deleted]

I don't have a vote, but to me it's clear. Promoter- Mike or Joe Gould. Rookie- bill Cameron, most improved-John Milne, Murray park- guy Windover. And yes, if Quebec had such awards... Mr Hugh Brodie hands down wins Murray Park. 6 years running.

[Rob Hancock]

JMO, Promoter of the Year - Al Aubin (he started a team from nothing and it looks like the Teeswater Thunder will be the top team in Ontario for the 3rd year in a row)!

Rookie of the Year - Bill Cameron (he is absolutely the most promising puller we've seen in years)!

Most Improved Puller - Jeff Slater (his years of hard work and dedication have made Jeff one of the top pullers we have today)!

Murray Park Award - Guy Windover (he has a positive attitude and is wiiling to show people what they need to know to improve, just like Murray did)!

[Deleted]

Never even though of jeff cuz he was not on list. But you are 100% right Rob. Jeff has always been improving. However in the last year he has evolved into a high level pro that compete at the highest levels.

[Deleted]

I agree with Rob's picks, all but Murray and I think we need to make Hugh Brodie a recipient and a Ontario inductee. He pulls more Ontario tournaments than alot of Ontarioans. Hugh Brodie for Murray Park.

[Hugh Brodie]

No - I could never accept an award reserved for the Ontario AW community. There are plenty of deserving Ontarians out there.

[Eric Roussin]

This is great stuff. Keep the opinions coming.

[John Roberts]

Who has won the Murray Park award since it's inception Eric?

[Eric Roussin]

I don't think this is the full list, but the following people have won the Murray Park award:

Devon Larratt (initial winner - 2001)
George Gottschalk (2003?)
Eric Roussin (2006)
Rick Heidebrecht (2008)
Mike Gould (2009)

The Murray Park Award was not originally intended to be a yearly award, but rather given out when warranted. I know that it wasn't given out in 2007, and there was probably a year or two earlier in the decade when it wasn't given out either.

[John Roberts]

Murray Park Award

BLANCHARD
BARBEE
GRAHAM
WINDOVER
HAIGH
CARLSON
BELLEFEUILLE (SP)

Just some names from an outsider! LOL

[Al Aubin]

my 2 cents me or joe for promoter we have more turny's than any one if people come or not. bill or bradien or joel thay are all coming on fast for rookies. most improved tiny has come a long way and nike sample is on fire also .murray park guy or crazy george a lot of us look up to him for the time he has spent pulling after turny's and telling you what you are weak at. p.s hope to see some of you on the 12th in wingham.