The Western Ontario Athletic Association recognized some volunteers in local sports this week.
The organization held its annual general meeting.
Mitchell's Rick Vivan was awarded the David H. Jacobi President's Award for his years of work in local hockey and softball.
Since the 1970's Vivan has held different roles including Umpire-in-Chief of the WOAA. He also served as chair of the WOAA Referee Committee and continues to volunteer with Mitchell Minor Hockey.
Minto's Rick Fisk was the Mike Weichel Honour Award winner.
Fisk's work with minor sports in the Harriston area includes coaching in Harriston Minor Ball between 1987 and 1992. Several of the teams earned championship banners. He also coached the Harriston Mercury's, who won the OASA in 2000 and 2003.
The Gravett Family Bursary Award was presented to Lucknow's Tyler Murray. He's currently attending Georgian College for Electrical Engineering Technologist and has played in the minor hockey system for 17 years and has been a referee for 6 years.
The WOAA also installed to new life members.
According to its by laws, "Life Membership may be conferred upon an individual who has rendered a minimum of twenty years of faithful and contributory service to the Corporation of its predecessor; at least ten (10) of those years must be in a capacity as a Director or in a job appointed by the Directors. Life membership shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and then must be approved by the membership. There shall not be more than three (3) Life Members at any one time."
Dave Black, formerly of Lucknow, and Owen Sound's Dave Garinger were installed as life members for their years of service including serving as president.
Garinger was WOAA president in 2006 and Black served as president from 2006 to 2010.
