Oct. 9, 2024 – The Springwater Sports Heritage Induction Ceremony at Snow Valley Ski Resort on September 27, 2024 was a great success. Chairman Larry Simpson always said, “If you are going to do something then do it right.” The induction ceremony was done right. The event was classy and inductees were honoured with pride.
It was a very social night with old friends greeting their teammates, family and friends. The memories were flooding the room. The social hour before the meal was cheerfully loud with chatter and laughter. Families and friends gathered to support and recognise the proud athletes. It is a great honour to receive these prestigious awards. The smiles of the athletes told the story. The speeches all had a common theme. It was the support behind them and the coaches that encouraged them, was the reason for success.
The purpose of the Springwater Sports Heritage is to digitally chronicle, preserve and provide internet access to Springwater’s sports heritage and to ceremoniously acknowledge and exhibit the awards of exceptional sporting contributions and achievements of Springwater’s Athletes,
Builders and Teams.
The number of high caliber athletes in our area is astounding. The achievements of many athletes is something we can all be proud of.
We are rich in sport!
The Glowing Spark
In 2013 Frank Archer created the spark that initiated the genesis of Springwater Sports Heritage. With his many years of volunteering to support local sporting activity Frank believed there had to be a home where the outstanding sporting achievements could be archived and promoted. From this point forward his vision continued to materialize and become an ever-expanding place of recognition and admiration. Now, ten years later it is the home of sixty-seven Inductees. Access to these memories is available 24/7 from anywhere. The recent 2024 Induction was livestreamed allowing many that could not attend in person to share in the formality of those being inducted. The sporting community is now being honoured and preserved to inform and inspire.
Ten Years of Visions
Frank Archer was Springwater Sports Heritage’s initiator and served on its Board as a Director and its inaugural Chairperson in 2014. One of Frank’s key expectations for the Hall of Fame was to set and maintain a high standard that would be respected and appreciated by all. Over the next ten years that Chairperson position has been held high by Larry Simpson. Under his leadership, the Board has been effectively guided and has seen SSHHoF flourish and its Induction Ceremonies become an event to behold. The resumes of each of its Inductees be they Builder, Athletes or Teams continue to be chronicled and preserved. We encourage each of you to visit the Springwater Sports Heritage website and explore the documentation of these very special Inductees.
www.springwatersportsheritage.ca
Minesing Fastball Dynasty
(1974-1980)
A story within a story. Over a seven-year period an outstanding group of athletes came together and achieved an unimaginable winning record. Five Provincial Championships in seven years! Their talent, determination and winning attitude elevated their team and many individuals to achieve what many simply hope for. Equally outstanding was the contribution made by three committed team members. For each of those five Championships three players’ unfaltering determination allowed them to rise to the unquestionable success of the team. Alan Priest, John Adams and Dale Giffen can now reflect back to those exciting and rewarding moments. Congratulations to the Team and Team Members.
By Larry Simpson and Linda Belcourt
THANK YOU
The volunteers at the ceremony are worthy of acknowledgement; Dan Clement MC for the Induction, Director Darrin Robertson, Director Carl Luoma, Director Monique Kovacs, Technology Chairperson Larry Simpson, Induction Chairperson Barb Maw, and Treasurer Executive Committee Faye Stone.