News, events, and information related to the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition.
Due to low registration, the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition Board made the difficult decision to cancel the golf tournament scheduled for August, 2022, with the intention of trying again next year.
We apologize for any inconvenience this decision may have caused interested golfers and sponsors, and look forward to hosting a successful event in 2023.
Registration is now open for the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition’s 2022 golf tournament. Details as follows:
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2022
Where: Springview Golf Course.
Cost: $90 per golfer, including 18 holes of golf, cart, and lunch.
Other details:
To register contact: Sandy Smith, NCSHR Secretary, 519-718-1217
Email: sandrasmith_9@hotmail.com
Tickets for this year’s Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition Induction Dinner are now available for purchase at the Simcoe Recreation Centre, or by contacting Heather King. Information is included in the poster below:
The Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition is proud to announce its Class of 2021. Joining the group of athletes, coaches, and builders already elected is the trio of Joseph “Joey” Bomberry, James “Jim” Simmons, and Walter “Walt” Gardner.
The class of 2021 will join the nominees from 2019, George and Mary Ann Pieters (archery club builders and competitors), Robert Proracki (athlete and official in a variety of sports) and Haven Swarts (gymnastics).
All will be inducted at the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition Dinner on July 16, 2022 at the Hungarian Hall, Delhi, Ontario. Due to the global pandemic, inductees were not selected for 2020.
Joey Bomberry
Known for his infectious smile, friendly demeanor and passion for life, you’d be hard pressed to find a more well-liked Norfolk County resident than Joey Bomberry. Bomberry became affectionately known as a “rink rat” in the early 60s, assisting local minor hockey and junior teams with sticks, water bottles and any other task that needed to be done.
He was a constant fixture at the rink, and also the baseball fields in the region, both lending a hand and offering words of encouragement to all participants. Bomberry was also a passionate supporter of local firefighters, often helping out when asked and even going on a few calls to assist.
“Joey was an institution,” says Sports Hall inductee and past chair Don Stewart. “Everyone who knew him loved him.” Bomberry spent hundreds of hours assisting local teams, coaches and players, so much so that the Sports Hall will include Bomberry as its first-ever ‘Sports Ambassador’.
Sports Ambassadors are spokespersons, boosters, and/or personalities that exemplify everything about the game, sportsmanship, rallying for the cause and showing dedication and love for sport in our area. They are beyond passionate about their favourite athletic endeavours and their community, even though they may not be official members of a certain team.
Jim Simmons
Jim Simmons was a rink rat growing up in his hometown of Port Dover. It was then that he developed a passion for hockey and competition. This passion would eventually be showcased at the highest levels years later. He had a strong career on the field, winning multiple slo pitch titles. Simmons became just the third pitcher to toss a no-hitter in a provincial tournament in 1988. On the ice he won multiple championships at the Simcoe Curling Club.
At the age of 65, Simmons was diagnosed with macular degeneration but refused to let a lack of sight slow him down. Playing mostly with a local rink that includes fellow Sports Hall member Mike Vrooman, Simmons won four national championships and two provincial titles. In the summer, he turned his attention to the links where he became the Ontario Vision Impaired Golf senior men’s champion three-straight times from 2011-2013. But that’s not all. Simmons competes for the Port Dover Sailing Club and, among other titles, won Boat of the Year, and the Port Colborne to Port Dover Race in 2018.
“Jim always played the game with honesty,” said Simmons’ slo pitch teammate, fellow Sports Hall inductee, and former Norfolk County Mayor Charlie Luke. “He supported all his team members at all times both on and off the diamond.”
Walt Gardner
Walt Gardner excelled at various levels of hockey, baseball/fastball, coaching and as an official. He won a total of 11 championships as a player and coach with teams at many levels, including with the Montreal Royals (Junior A), Simcoe Gunners, and Simcoe Intermediate Fastball.
Gardner excelled on the ice enough to warrant an invitation to Chicago Black Hawks training camp at a time when the National Hockey League boasted only six teams and precious few roster spots. Gardner traded his stick for a whistle after his playing days were over and he would eventually spend 13 years as one of the best and most well-respected officials in the Ontario Hockey Association. His time in stripes included the 1975-76 season in the North American Hockey League.
“Both teams knew that if Walt was refereeing, the outcome was due to the players input rather than the decisions of the referee,” said Tony Steyaert, a former OHA official and supervisor. “ I just want to say for all his skills and efforts he put on the ice, he was a good person and has been a lifetime friend to me and others.”
The Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition is located in the Simcoe Recreation Centre, pool viewing area level. Displays of sports team photos and inductee plaques can be viewed during regular operating hours. Additional information about events, past inductees and how to nominate individuals can be found on elsewhere on our website, www.norfolksports.ca.
Written by: Jacob Robinson, NCSHR Director
The date for the next Induction Dinner has been set for Saturday, July 16th, 2022. The event will take place at the Delhi Hungarian Hall. Details to follow when available.
Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition: The First Twenty-Five Years is now available for purchase as an e-book. A print version of this book, written by George Pond, was launched as part of the Sports Hall’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The e-book version contains essentially the same written content as the print version. To better suit the e-book format, some of the photos in the print version have been removed. However, the e-book still contains photos of each individual inductee, as well as a photo of each of the 11 teams inducted into the Sports Hall as well as other photos.
Cost of the e-book is $14.99 Canadian. Copies can be purchased through Kobo.com, using the link below:
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/norfolk-county-sports-hall-of-recognition
Usually, the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition holds an Induction Dinner to honour the most recent inductees every two years. The next Induction Dinner would normally be scheduled for 2021. However, given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 situation, the Induction Dinner will be deferred, with the current thinking being to reschedule for 2022. More details will be provided as decisions are confirmed.
The Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition is pleased to announce George and Mary Ann Pieters, Robert Proracki and Haven Swarts as the 2019 Inductees. This group represents outstanding accomplishments in athletic success as well as leadership in officiating and coaching.
George and Mary Ann Pieters of McDowell Road in Simcoe have contributed over 40 years of their time and talents to the sport of archery.
Both got their start at the Belgium Hall in Delhi and have expanded their influence as role models, coaches and ambassadors for teaching archery to various youth organizations across Norfolk County.
George and Mary Ann have also won championship titles at many local, national, and international archery events.
Robert ( Bob) Proracki, a Waterford native and proud resident of Round Plains, is being recognized as an outstanding athlete and official in a variety of sports.
Most notable is Bob’s success as a pitcher in the sport of fastball over a span of over 44 years. During that time, Bob was a member of several championship teams, including one with the London Major League which earned a Provincial AA Championship.
Haven Swarts of Port Dover has achieved tremendous success as a power tumbler in the sport of gymnastics.
Starting at age 8, Haven was introduced to the sport of tumbling at the local Simcoe Gliders club. As a youth she went on to represent Ontario and Canada at international events.
Her trophy case includes several gold medals from Canadian championships and a top ten placing at the Worlds. Haven is also an accomplished hockey player and gives back to the community by mentoring young athletes with special needs.
The 2019 Inductees will be celebrated at an official ceremony in 2021.
The 2020 Annual General Meeting for the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition will be held as follows:
Date: February 11, 2020
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Norfolk County Public Library, Simcoe Branch (basement)
David Baldock, the late Paul Davidson, David Edmonds, Jim Merrick and Peter Timpf have all been named to the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition for 2018. These outstanding athletes, coaches and builders are being recognized for their contribution to the rich sports history of Norfolk County.
Long-time Simcoe resident, David Baldock has excelled in the international sport of orienteering. This athletic endeavour combines racing and navigation with a compass through diverse and often unfamiliar terrain. Baldock has medalled in events held throughout North America and is a Canadian and Provincial champion. Locally, he helped to establish orienteering courses and enrichment programs for children in senior public school.
During his lifetime, Paul Davidson competed, coached and organized many sports with compassion. He won championships in basketball, lacrosse, hockey, and curling but is most widely recognized for being part of the mixed pairs National and Provincial lawn bowling championships, with partner Muriel LaPlante. Paul was a well-respected coach at the Delhi Public and Simcoe Composite Schools. Davidson also served as a sight coach/guide for blind golfers and curlers at the Provincial and National level.
David Edmonds is being recognized as a dedicated builder and coach of hockey, soccer and baseball in the communities of Delhi, Simcoe and Tillsonburg for over 50 years. Whether Dave was on an executive, coaching from the sidelines or officiating in some capacity, he tried to provide the best opportunity he could for all participants. Former athletes Edmonds has coached describe him as an outstanding leader who instilled the values of hard work and sportsmanship. Dave made the game fun and encouraged all to perform their best.
Jim Merrick is passionate about football! After getting his start as a high school football player at Simcoe Composite School, Jim trained hard to make the line-up with McGill University and the CFL, with stints in Saskatchewan and Hamilton. Along the way to the big league, he also excelled in the shot put event, winning a provincial university championship and competing at the Canadian National level. Back home in Norfolk County, Jim continues to lead young football players to great destinies. The most well-known player he has assisted with coaching is two-time Grey Cup Champion Shane Bergman.
Port Dover resident Peter Timpf is being recognized as a builder of sport for the lakeside community. For more than 30 years, Peter has served on executives, coached, and spearheaded fundraising and membership drives for the Port Dover Figure Skating Club, Port Dover Minor Softball Association and the Ontario Rural Softball Association (ORSA). He has successfully coached two female teams to ORSA provincial championships and another to an Eastern Canadian Championship. Many credit Peter for serving as a mentor who inspires them to volunteer with sport and service club organizations in the community.
These outstanding athletes, coaches and builders along with the 2017 inductees will be inducted into the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition at a gala celebration on July 13, 2019.