Sport Volunteer Awards

Ray Lewis Athletic Excellence and Community Service Award

Mitchell Kawasaki, Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy

Mitchell Kawasaki has over 50 years of experience as a referee, head coach, administrator, and executive member. A former Canadian Judo Champion in 1971 and 1973, Mitchell also participated in the 1974 Commonwealth games, earning a Gold medal in Freestyle Wrestling. Later he represented Canada in 1975 at the Pan American games, then went to the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, as a Greco-Roman wrestler. Since then, elite athletes from all over the world come to train with Coach Kawasaki at the Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy, including fellow Hamiltonian Kimberly Ribble-Orr, who represented Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He has gone on to train more than 50 Canadian Judo Champions and over 150 black-belts at Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy in Hamilton. Born and raised here in Hamilton, Mitchell is also the President of the Canadian Japanese Cultural Center. He continues to work 5 days a week training and then travels to judge international events, all while working for Canada Post.

Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence Award​

Saltfleet Stoney Creek (SSC)

Saltfleet Stoney Creek has over 50 years of club history, with the past 10 years being a combined effort from 2 clubs. As an amalgamation of two clubs since 2015 (with histories from 1965 and 1977) this soccer club has become one of the leading soccer clubs in Ontario having won the OSA Bronze and Gold status for Club Excellence and Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Soccer Club/lessons/Best Soccer Development Program

SSC soccer club promotes values and ethics of respect, true sportsmanship, and fair play. They provide programs that foster on-going development of players of all abilities and backgrounds, creating a pathway for physical, mental, and emotional growth in individual and team environment. The launch of the Special Needs All Abilities program founded in 2006 by Frank Ragona allows youth and young adults with cognitive and physical disabilities to participate and develop soccer skills through a highly structured, fun, and non-competitive environment. From developmental to recreational to competitive programs, all are encouraged to reach their potential and enjoy the game of soccer. All leaders are encouraged to develop and increase their knowledge and skills though offering courses and certifications to enhance their ability to lead in the organization. Lots of opportunity is provided to train and develop game officials and coaches encouraging fair play so that they can provide quality soccer experiences and opportunities for all players on the field.

The Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer Club is dedicated to providing an enriching, positive environment for players, coaches and officials to achieve their goals through the sport of soccer. They will provide programs that foster ongoing development for players of all abilities and backgrounds, creating a pathway for physical, mental, and emotional growth as an individual and in a team environment. They promise to promote the values and ethics of respect, true sportsmanship and fair-play in soccer.

Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award

Samara (Sam) Sevor, Hamilton Volleyball Community

Samara has been a longtime volunteer in the Hamilton volleyball community for two decades. Samara not only trains young referees locally and internationally, but she is also a volleyball coach with Smash VC and Defensa VC among many others. Samara has been an active volleyball referee and coach both locally and internationally, serving as the regional referee trainer for both youth and adults. Having travelled for things such as the World Military Games in China, the U17 FIVB World in Peru and the U21 FIVB World in Mexico, her vast experience aids in her teachings.

She has been involved in all levels of refereeing, including school, local and word league competition. All of this and Samara finds time to do the organizing of schedules for Ontario Referees, as well as training and guiding them for over 18 years.

Dr. Ray Johnson Coaches Award

Kru Alin Halmagean, Martial Arts/Muay Thai Community

Kru Alin Halmagean has been an integral part of the Martial Arts/Muay Thai community over the last 24 years. He is an extremely active and successful coach, most recently coaching two athletes who won the North American Muay Thai Championship in Iowa. He volunteers his time to his amateur athletes to help them to become the best athlete, and person they can be. He has decades of experience as an athlete and shares his knowledge and expertise with his students. Kru Alin leads by example in teaching his students how to deal with adversity, to believe in themselves, and to be the best human being they can be, in the gym but also in the community. His athletes are inspired by his work ethic, his passion, and commitment which have led him to great success. Kru Alin is extremely devoted to the students that he coaches. He is a mentor, a leader, and works tirelessly to support his students in and outside of the gym. He volunteers his time, offers his wisdom, and shares his invaluable knowledge of the sport with his students. Kru Alin not only inspires his students to become the best athletes they can be, he also instills in them to become the best person they can be in the community and in their personal lives. Kru Alin list of accomplishments include: 2024: Coach of North American Muay Thai Champions - Tyson Gubbins and Robert Bagao Coach of World Muay Thai Champion -Shane Campbell Coach of Canadian Muay Thai Champion - Mukai Marono Coach of North American Muay Thai Champion -Will Romero

Kru Alin volunteers his time coaching amateur athletes, and his travel costs are at his own expense.

Outstanding Volunteer Award

John Valvasori, Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club

At the age of 75, John still devotes countless hours of his time to the soccer community. He takes pride in the soccer club that he has helped shape over the past 35 years. As a coach, an executive member, and as club president, his role has been vital in the survival of the club. John became part of the Hamilton Sparta Soccer Club executive in the mid 90’s and took on the role of club president over 20 years ago. He has spent countless hours dedicated to managing and improving the club. Through the ever-changing soccer climate in Ontario, John has provided continuity and leadership within the club, and ensured continued growth through various initiatives focused on player development, such as winter and summer academy programming for the grassroot level, strength and conditioning programming for all teams, and promotion of teams at the district, regional (iModel), and adult level (district and OWSL level). He was inducted into the Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame into the “Builder” category for his vital role in Hamilton Soccer. John has been heavily involved with OFSAA over his career. He convened multiple OFSAA soccer championships and was awarded the prestigious OFSAA Leadership in Sport Award for his dedication to the soccer community. The entire Sparta organization has an immense amount of respect for John’s commitment to affordable, quality programming. John has made it his mission to keep competitive soccer as inexpensive as possible, to allow all members of the soccer community the opportunity to play. He refuses to allow soccer to become a business as so many sporting bodies across the province have become. Each year John oversees the Joe Valvasori Sparta Cup, a preseason festival and tournament that generates funds to offset club costs, so as not to affect registration fees. John would rather spend hundreds of hours running this tournament than passing on the costs to parents. That is the true definition of a volunteer.

Youth Sport Volunteer Award

Jamie Gardner

Jamie Gardner exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Youth Sport Volunteer Award, making him an outstanding nominee. As a dedicated youth volunteer within the City of Hamilton, Jamie has accumulated well over 200 volunteer hours through his extensive involvement in coaching, officiating, and organizing various sports activities. His contributions span across multiple programs, including coaching and refereeing basketball at St. Agustin House League, assisting with the St. Mary Midget Basketball Team, and volunteering at the Ancaster Magic Development Summer Training Sessions. His passion for sports is further highlighted by his contributions to the Sport Fitt Camp, Southern Ontario Mountain Bike Camp, and the Girls OFSAA Golf Championship Tournament, where he played a crucial role in volunteering and organizing. Whether assisting at the Insidious 5k Fundraiser or coaching at the Canusa Games and ArcelorMittal Hamilton Grassroots Soccer, Jamie’s influence is far-reaching. He effortlessly blends his roles as a volunteer and coach, creating lasting memories for the children he guides.

Youth Sport Volunteer Award

Dalton Therrien 

Dalton has demonstrated maturity beyond his years, always reliable and responsible in the many roles he has volunteered in. Dalton has been a very committed 17 year old volunteer, and truly enjoys working with children. At St. Anne's Elementary school Dalton assisted from May 2022- May 2023 with set up and working with the children under the teacher’s direction in a variety of activities. Dalton has volunteered for the past 4 summers assisting with the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Grassroots Soccer program with preparation, set up, registration and coaching 5-12 year olds.

Dalton volunteered at CitytKidz Camp during July-August 2024 assisting staff and working with the campers through the 4 week summer program. He has also volunteered assisting the physical education teacher at Cathedral CSS in his grade 10+11 year during his lunch and free time with equipment set up and preparation. He truly enjoys a variety of sports and providing a good experience for others.

Hero Banner Recipient

Bill Friday

 Bill Friday is a retired Canadian ice hockey referee. A Hamilton native, Bill Friday is the only hockey referee to ever work the Stanley Cup finals in the National Hockey League and the Avco Cup finals in the World Hockey Association.

Friday started his officiating career in the NHL, and moved to the WHA in 1972. Known for his flamboyant style Friday was a whistleblower in 1,425 games in both leagues.

A former Junior B and minor hockey league player for Hamilton Aerovox, Friday worked as an on-ice official in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1955 to 1959. He joined the NHL staff the following year and worked games there until 1972. That’s when the WHL lured him to join upstart league.

Friday worked the very first WHA game in 1973 and officiated the very last game the league played in 1979. He was appointed the WHA referee-in-chief in 1976.

His jump to the WHA is credited with raising NHL officials’ salaries. He was also a founder and first president of the NHL Officials Association.

In 2010, Friday was an inaugural inductee into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2012, Friday was elected to the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.
In 2017, Lawfield Arena in Hamilton was renamed Bill Friday Lawfield Arena for his contributions to the area where his children played youth sports.

Bill Friday passed away in 2024.