Sport Aurora Congratulates our 2023 School Athletes of the Year!

Thirty-six of Aurora’s top performers were honoured on August 3rd at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex during Sport Aurora’s School Athlete of the Year 2023 awards. The annual event, now in its seventh year, highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of students from both the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. These inspiring young athletes were recognized not only for their individual performances, but also for their influence in encouraging active participation in sport, and inspiring fellow students to stay active.
“In many cases ‘school sport’ is the start of an athlete’s sport experience,” said Sport Aurora President Ron Weese. “Certainly, the multi-sport nature of school sports allows young people to learn many skills and meet new friends, but school sport also helps build pride within the student body. The Athletes-of-the-Year for each school are to be congratulated for not only their athletic abilities, but as a proud representative of their school.”
These students, representing Aurora’s elementary and secondary schools, were presented with their Sport Aurora Certificates of Excellence, along with additional certificates from their elected representatives. Ron Weese (who is also Councillor, Ward 1) presided along with Alan Dean, Chair of Sport Aurora’s Sport Celebration and Recognition Committee. Also on hand to congratulate the students were Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen, Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill MP Leah Taylor Roy, and Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy. And for those athletes who could not attend, certificates were hand-delivered by Sport Aurora Executive Director Laurie Mueller.
The following students received the awards:
• St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School - Quinlan Guillermo, Emmaleigh Sun
• St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School – Keria and Fiona Marley, Sebastian Torres
• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Elementary School - Shyla Gamble
• Holy Spirit Elementary School - Helena Cooray , Otitochi (Tito) Onyeamchi
• Light of Christ Catholic Elementary School - Victoria Rulli , Rani Kobeissi
• Northern Lights Public School - Alyssa Davidson, Patrick Alexander Balasoiu
• Lester B. Pearson Public School - Jasmine Acquaah, Julia Danielle Damtsis

• Hartman Public School - Colin Voloceai, Eva Shih

• Rick Hansen Public School - Sofie Belova , Christian Blake Bushfield
• Devins Drive Public School - Kaia Higgins , Alfie Ni
• Regency Acres Public School - Karson Stickle, Hannah Yaghoobi, Emek Saridas
• École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean (St. John’s Catholic Elementary School) - Maika Hamdar , Brayden Young
• Cardinal Carter - Jonathan Shi, Abigail Lee, Tobechukwu Otoh, Michaela Nicolo, Blanka Lodi
• Aurora High School - Mikayla Cranney, Josh Blades
• St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School - Maya Weatherall, Adrian Hordatt
• Dr. G.W Williams Secondary School - Naomi Rositsan, Jerry Lin
Athletes represented a wide variety of events and were chosen by each of the schools who participated. Laurie Mueller noted that in addition to the joy of participating and excelling in their activities, each of these young individuals gains valuable life skills along the way – many that will serve them well outside of sport.
“Their recognition in Sport Excellence is just another step in their journey to success,” said Ms. Mueller. “Congratulations to all students recognized by this program!”

Sport Aurora Announces 2023 Athlete of the Year

Grey Brett

Grey Brett is a competitive swimmer and co-founder and director of the Move For Life Foundation. His story began in 2005, when this recently-graduated executive recruiter was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that was progressively attacking his liver. He lived boldly for the next decade, but in 2015 required a liver transplant.

Grey, however, was one of the lucky ones. He made it not only to the top of the waiting list, but had a successful surgery. He admits to being in rough shape after the transplant, weighing only 126 pounds and being completely dependent on others, but as a former competitive swimmer, he found swimming easier than walking. So it became the core of his comeback.
“I noticed an advertisement for the Canadian Transplant Games, and that they were in Toronto in about a year’s time. And it included swimming…”
He recalled some of his former training, and created a program. A year later Grey was at the games and swam in five races, winning all five. Next came his first World Transplant Games, which involved joining a high-performance swim club to prepare for the stiffer competition. This also paid off, as he swam in five races, winning three gold medals and setting three world records. He did it again in 2019, where in Newcastle England, Grey swam in four races, winning four gold medals and setting four more world records.

Following the COVID pandemic, Grey resumed training, and last year joined the Aurora Master Ducks. His recent showing at the World Transplant Games in Perth Australia resulted in five more golds and five world records in five events. He also noted that he is swimming faster now than when he was a young competitive swimmer.
“I like to surround myself with the uncommon and the overcomers – the people who have raised the bar and have pushed themselves,” he said. “So, I feel right at home in this room full of champions, setting goals, overcoming adversity, and striving for the top to separate yourselves from the pack.”

Sport Aurora Announces 2023 Coach of the Year

Raymond Noble

President and Club Coach, dedicating countless hours each week to train newcomers in both technical skills and etiquette. With a personal history in the sport that dates back to 2006, Ray brings a unique depth of experience and passion to his role. His inclusive coaching style adapts to individual needs, setting his trainees up for success in District and Provincial competitions. A seasoned competitor himself, Ray has participated in the Men’s Singles Indoor Canadian Bowls Championships, making him an exemplary figure in the lawn bowling community.

2022 Athlete of the Year

Alistair Johnston

Alistair is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal and the Canada national team

Alistair Johnston was born October 8^th, 1998 in Vancouver.  He is 24 years old.  His family moved to Montreal when he was 4 years old where he played for Lakeshore SC.  His family moved again to Aurora when Alistair was 7 where he started playing for the Aurora FC and Richmond Hill SC from 2002 – 2005. He made his debut in the Canadian youth program at an under-18 camp in 2015, when he was 16.He played youth soccer with ANB Futballnd earned a tryout with French club Troves AC while there. In 2015, he joined Vaughan FC helping them win the 2015 U-18/U-19 Disney Soccer Showcase, the 2015 OYSL U-18 League title, and the 2016 and 2017 U21 Ontario Cup  Johnston accepted an invitation to the Canadian Senior National Team camp in January 2021. He made his debut for Canada on March 25, 2021, as a 69th-minute substitute against Bermuda in the first round of 2022 World Cup qualifying and scored his first goal for Canada in the following match against the Cayman Islands. In June 2021 Johnston was named to the 60-man preliminary squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup  and on July 1 he was named to the final squad.

Sport Aurora Announces 2022 Coach of the Year

Greg Johnston

Gregory Nelson Johnston is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.  He has played professionally since 1983

He played 187 games in the NHL, most of them for the Boston Bruins, which he helped the Boston Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1990 against the Edmonton Oilers, but also a few for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Greg also played in the AHL for various teams, and in Europe, for various teams in Germany's DEL and Sweden's Elitserien.

Greg resides in Barrie, ON with his wife Laurie and 3 daughters.  He’s also a 27 yr cop and 11 yr SWAT Team. 

Sport Aurora Makes our BIG Announcement for 2021! 

Sport Aurora Celebrates Shaun McGuire and Jordan Master as this years Coach of the Year 2021

Shaun McGuire 

In addition to his many years of services as a volunteer coach with both the Aurora Jays and Team Ontario Astros, Shaun has been a dedicated volunteer in the Aurora Baseball Community, taking on leadership roles such as VP of Baseball Operations for the AKBA, and most recently President of AKBA, currently serving his third year in this position. After a short stint off the Board for personal reasons, Shaun return to the AKBA Board in 2018, running as President in order to help evaluate the professionalize of AKBA and to improve the quality of service that AKBA provides to the Aurora community. Without any other stake in the game, and no children involved in AKBA, Shaun continues to volunteer in order to help improve the sport

Jordan Master

Last year he was appointed head tennis professional at Aurora Community Tennis Club (ACTC).

Jordan is a certified Tennis Canada tennis instructor and Club Pro1/Coach. He pursued his love of tennis and teaching more than 15 years ago.  Billy Graham’s quote resonates with Jordan significantly. He recognized the stage he’s on and the responsibility he chose. He embraced the impact he makes on young people to nurture, provide guidance, promote physical activity through tennis, improve their well-being and create lasting relationships. It has been his calling since he was young to connect with kids and make an impact which is to lead and inspire young people using tennis as his instrument.

Jordan is a great motivator who always radiates a positive attitude and exudes enthusiasm in his lessons. Jordan was given a gift to inspire and motivate kids of all ages with success. Jordan easily connects with young people. He knows that each child is different and unique and can provide diverse ways to communicate and provide coaching information. This has made the kids look up to him as their role model and inspired the kids to want to learn and play more. When someone asks about Jordan, all the kids would say ‘Jordan makes tennis fun’, ‘Jordan was the reason I love playing tennis’, ‘Jordan runs an awesome tennis clinic’. Jordan’s love and passion for tennis has spread through the community and has made a huge impact on the lives of families. 

Sport Aurora Athlete of the Year 2021

Barclay Goodrow

Barclay Goodrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and an alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. An undrafted player, Goodrow previously played for the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning. Goodrow won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

Goodrow was born in Toronto, Ontario on February 26^th, 1993, but was raised in Aurora, Ontario, with his Parents, Janice and John Goodrow and his sister Martha Goodrow .

Sport Aurora Celebrates

Nick Daniels as this year's Sport Aurora Coach of the Year 2020

Sport Aurora Athlete of the Year 2020

Andrew Nembhard

Full Auroran Story

Sport Aurora Congratulates our 2020 School Athletes of the Year!

From Top Left to Right:  Jack Sutherland (Aurora High School)  Jidechukwu Otoh (Cardinal Carter Cathorlic High School) Tobechukwu Otoh (Cardinal Carter Catholic High School)  Julia Cuccia (St. Maximilion Kolbe)

Sidney Gardiner (Aurora High School)  Julia Micic (Cardinal Carter)

Hailey Appleby (Aurora High School)  Abrahim Rahal (Dr. G.W. Williams)  Nicole Rubinstein (Dr. G.W. Williams)

Auroran Newspaper Story 

YorkRegion.com Story

Sport Aurora Celebrates Stephen Maar as Sport Aurora's 2019

Athlete of the Year!

Sport Aurora Celebrates Cheryl Duckworth as Sport Aurora's

COACH OF THE YEAR 2019

As a Coach with Special Olympics Ontario-Aurora, Cheryl has been selected as our Inagural Sport Aurora Coach of the Year 2019.

An Aurora resident for 34 years, Cheryl is known for her kindness, patients and positivity, and has helped some of her athletes move onto higher levels of competition - both Provincially and Nationally.  She began coaching swimmers with the Aurora Master Ducks in 2006 and has not stopped.  She has coached not only in aquatics, but has looked outside of that into coaching the Aurora Eagles golf team that launched in 2011 and gymnastic with the Aurora Dazzlers rythmic gymnastics team in 2015. 

Read Media Release Here! 

Athlete, Team & Coach of the YEAR 2019

Do you have an Coach, Athlete and Team of the Year you would like to recognitize and nominate for this year's 2019 Celebration & Recognition Award?  

Sport Aurora would like you to nominate one TODAY!

Coach & Team and of the Year will be selected by June 30th,2019 and will be announced early September 2019.  

Sport Aurora Athlete of the Year 2019 nominations deadline September 30th, 2019 and announced early October 2019

Nomination form for Coach of the Year 2019

Nomination form for Team of the Year 2019

Eligibility for Sport Aurora Athlete of the Year & Nomination form for Sport Aurora Athlete of the Year 2019

are here by clicking on them.

Sport Aurora CONGRATULATES OUR

2019 Sport Aurora School Athletes of the Year

Ryan Weeks, Alieya Pires, Joshua Nicholson, Jidechukwu Otoh, Jordan Green, Cameron Moir, Morgan McGee, 

Aneisha Gobbles, Cole Brown, Julia Rubino, Michael Murphy, Blanka Lodi, Andrew Mettel, Edward Zhytenyov,

Sophia Purcell, Matthew Valenti, Gabriella Mueller, Lucas Vacca, Chidubem Azurunwa, Owen Nichol, Kate Bingham,

Joshua Blades, Kalista Kurtes, Elie Brodie, Aryan Dham, Trevor Smith, Lily Zapata, Derese Ross, Mikayla Cranney,

William Dodd, Colin Sinclair, Hunter Kim, Natassjieka Whyte, Owen McNamara, Taryn Joy,

Cameron Hunter, Carter Gillies, 

2018 Athlete of the Year

Robert Thomas

Read all about it

2018 School Athletes of the Year

This Years Athletes

Cardinal Carter:  Julia Micic, Hayden Heinrich   St. Maximilian Kolbe: Lauren Daniels, Ryan Stewart   Dr.G.W. Williams: Mikayla Law-Heese   St. Jerome: Paige Anton, Andrew Parsons   Northern Lights: Julian Tsukada   Devins Drive: Gabbie Duthie, Aimee Marciniak, Jamie MacLean, Natalie Tanaka, Denys Derbinskyi   Aurora Heights: Sara Alonzi, Ethan Vice   Our Lady of Grace: David Durbano, Kendra Keyes   Aurora Grove: Brooke Piper, Isabella Ahmed, Kishaore Yogaraj, Matthew Quattromini   Lester B. Pearson: Jack Piper, Lukas Nacevski, Hannah Vibien   Regency Acres: Sam White, Marley Frost   Rick Hansen: Santhosh Rajmohan, Abhigna Ravipati   St. Joseph: Zere Christie-Beaumont, Hannah Smith   Holy Spirit: Felicia Roel-D'Angelo, Naveen Shnoudeh, Andrew Ionnides, Ryan Clutterbuck   Light of Christ: Samantha Ribeiro, Isabella Coutts, William Haines, Ryan Smith   Wellington: Rebecca Xu, Austin Zenneri

2017 ATHLETE of the Year
Carmen Whelan

Read all about it