April 25/08 1:14 am - Martin Sharpe Recipient of a Syl Apps Special Achievement Award

Posted by Editoress on 04/25/08
 

The best in Ontario amateur sport was celebrated last night with the province's annual awards presented to 46 athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and sponsors at the 2007 Ontario Sport Awards tonight in Toronto.

Martin Sharpe is the Recipient of a Syl Apps Special Achievement Award.

Nicky Pearson, the OCA's BMX Coordinator brought us up to speed on why Martin is so deserving of this award

"Martin is extremely well deserving of this award. He has worked tirelessly for 10 years for the sport of BMX Racing. He started out a a regular parent volunteer, then moved onto Track 2000 President then into the role of Chief Commissaire. He started out as a local offical and recently become the only UCI level commissaire for BMX Racing in Ontario. He is so well respected across the BMX community that riders from the USA and Canada asked before coming to the UCI Race in Kingston and Quebec if Martin was officiating. They were extremely pleased to hear he was.

He has a natural way with athletes of all ages, while he wears a very strong game face while performing his duties, he is the first person to explain a ruling, and spend time with younger riders describing race scenarios and educating them in safe riding.

He knows the UCI rulebook like the back of his hand, and is currently president of Tim DaSilva BMX and is a UCI level trained track builder. This man wears many hats.

He has been my right hand for 10 years, and I could honestly say, without any hesitation, that without him the current success of BMX Racing could not have been reached. He is consistent, educated, knowledgable and dedicated to his role in Ontario.

I personally congratulate him on this award. It is not an easy award to obtain and was the natural choice for me to nominate."

The Ontario Sport Awards are the highest honours the province provides to recognize excellence. Award categories include athletes, coaches and teams of the year as well as corporate citations and special achievement and lifetime awards.

For a list of all 2007 award recipents go to: CNW