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May 29, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Sarah Paul
Julie Devereaux
and
Stephen Ryan

Premier Pays Tribute to Newfoundland and Labrador Athletes

   Athletes from across the province, representing 26 sports, were recognized for their athletic accomplishments at the 5^th annual Premier’s Athletic Awards ceremony, held today at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s .
   The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador , congratulated athletes who received grants ranging from $500, $1,000 and $1,500. The amount provided depends on an athlete’s level of competition and required training.
   "Sport in this province has come a long way," said Premier Williams. "Increasingly our athletes are being recognized not just provincially, but also on a national and international level. There are many challenges that come with competing at elite levels, and these awards were created, not only to honour athletic excellence, but also to help offset the travel costs associated with training."
   The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said the increasing popularity of the program reflects an increased number of elite athletes throughout the province.
   "Government is committed to the advancement of recreation and sport in Newfoundland and Labrador ," said Minister Jackman. "It is important that the province’s athletes have adequate training opportunities which allow them to perform to the best of their ability and excel in their sport."
   Meanwhile, the Team Gushue Scholarship Award, introduced last year for youth involved in competitive sport who have demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence, was also presented at the ceremony.
   This year, the $5,000 scholarship was presented to cyclist Zack Garland and curler Sarah Paul, both of St. John’s .
   Premier Williams noted that 2008 is an exciting year for Newfoundland and Labrador athletes. "Together with provincial sports organizations, the Provincial Government continues to work through its new recreation and sport strategy; Active Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador ," said Premier Williams. "Athletes can also look forward to the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games, being held in Corner Brook , as well as the upcoming opening of the Provincial Sports Centre."
The Premier’s Athletic Awards Program is open to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who are registered with a provincial sport organization recognized by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
   Eligible athletes must compete for, and continue to compete for, Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Games or other national and regional competitions. Athletes must be attending an educational institution on a full-time basis. While the Team Gushue Scholarship Award is presented annually during the Premier’s Athletic awards reception, athletes apply through the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Scholarship Program.

BACKGROUNDER

List of Recipients

SPORT	NAME	HOMETOWN
ATHLETICS	Colin Fewer	Harbour Main
	Ryan Brockerville	Marystown
	Grant Handrigan	Marystown
	Patrick O’Grady	St. John's
	Jennifer Brown	Shoal Harbour
	Stephen Bursey	St. John's
BADMINTON	Samantha Ralph	Eastport
	Alison Baird	CBS
BASEBALL	Stephen Brien	Mt. Pearl
BASKETBALL	Justin Grainger	St. John's
	Stephen Smith	St. John's
	Jennifer Parsons	Pouch Cove
	Katherine Quackenbush	St. John's
	Victoria Thistle	St. John's
CROSS COUNTRY	Kyle Power	Labrador City
	Stephanie Mahar	Brig Bay
	Jonah Emke	Corner Brook
CURLING	Sarah Paul	St. John's
	Julie Devereaux	Logy Bay
	Stephen Ryan	St. John's
CYCLING	Zachery Garland	St. John's
DIVING	Aaron Thorne	Torbay
	Kate McCarthy	Holyrood
EQUESTRIAN	Samantha West	Torbay
FIGURE SKATING	Joey Russell	Lab. City ( Barrie , ON )
	Alexandra Young	Corner Brook
	Matthew Young	Corner Brook
	Ashley Bishop	Mt. Pearl
GOLF	Devin Pitman	St. John's
	Lacey Cribb	Marystown
HOCKEY	Amanda Kean	St. Anthony
	Sarah Davis	Paradise
	Jenelle Hulan	Stephenville
	Erin Earle	Shearstown
JUDO	Brittany Stevenson	St. John's
ROWING	Jane Brodie	St. John's
	Paul Hussey	St. John's
	Stephanie Davis	St. John's
	Christopher Clark	St. John's
RUGBY	Robert Wilson	St. John's
	Michael Simpson	St. John's
	Colin Penney	Mt. Pearl
	Jason Picco	Paradise
	Clare Miller	St. John's
	Danika Gulliford	CBS
	Emma Nash	Mt. Pearl
	Robert Spearing	CBS
	Charlene Barter	St. John's
	Joannah Clift	Outer Cove
SAILING	Rebecca Power	St. John's
SHOOTING	Laurie Hearn	St. Mary's Bay
	Brenda Greene	St. Mary's Bay
SOCCER	Ashley Dawe	St. John's
	Malorie Harris	Mount Pearl
	Alex White	Carbonear
	Michael Dunne	St. John's
	Tyler Winsor	St. John's
	Sean Edwards	St. Lawrence
	Matthew Hamlyn	St. John's
	Erika Lannon	St. John's
	Jennifer Hutchinson	St. John's
SOFTBALL	Ryan Boland	St. John's
	Jason Hill	St. John's
	Shane Boland	Goulds
SPECIAL OLYMPICS	Johnny Philpott	Gander
	Sarah Brown	Gander
SWIMMING	Laura Murray	St. John's
	Kelsey Alexander	St. John's
	Timothy Rusted	CBS
	Adele Gagnon	St. John's