2005-04-09

Tonya Verbeek Named 2004 Female Athlete of the Year for Ontario

Tonya Verbeek, the 2004 Olympic Silver medallist and Canada's first ever Women to win an Olympic medal in Wrestling, was named the 2004 Female Athlete of the Year for Ontario.

The Award was announced and presented at the 2004 Ontario Awards Reception April 7th at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. The Ontario Sport Awards are a part of the Ontario Games Program, a community and sport development initiative managed by the Sport Alliance of Ontario through funding provided by the Government of Ontario.

In attendance to witness Tonya's victory were her parents Gerry & Cathy along with Richard DesChatelets, the Head Coach of the Brock University Wrestling Team and the Brock Wrestling Club.

The Brock Wrestling Club was further well represented by Mr. Bill Smith, a founding member of the Club and long-time Coach and volunteer with the Club. Mr. Smith was in attendance to receive the Syl Apps Special Achievement Award for volunteers. Joining Mr. Smith were his wife (Elly) and his mother (Helen).

Bill has been an active member of the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association for over 25 Years and is now an Honorary member. During that time, he has been involved as a National Championships winning athlete, official, and coach. Coaching for many years at the high school/junior age level, Bill has coached many Provincial and National Championship winning individual athletes and teams. Among his more well known athletes are Nick Cipriano, currently Head Coach at McMaster University and the Hamilton Wrestling Club and 1996 Olympic Team Assistant Coach, and also Marty Calder, 1992 and 1996 Olympian. Bill has been a driving force in the development of Women's Wrestling at many levels, including having been a driving force behind the sport being established at the High school level in Ontario.

Also being recognized for his contribution to Ontario Wrestling at the Awards Reception was Mr. Dan Pearson owner/operator of Ultimate Sports and Gear. Mr. Pearson and Ultimate were recognized as a Corporate Sponsor of both the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association and numerous Wrestling Clubs throughout Ontario. Ultimate has been the exclusive supplier of uniforms for Team Ontario to National Championships for a number of years, as well as an advertiser and sponsor for Ontario Wrestling in various ways.

This Press Release is circulated for the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association. The Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association is the Provincial Sport Governing Body for Amateur Wrestling in Ontario. It offers programs from Grassroots to Olympic level for athletes, coaches, officials and others of all ages. For more information on the Association, contact:

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