Dennis Lirette & James Watters - Miramichi Hoops
"I would like to highlight the dedication and hard work put into this season by Dennis Lirette and James Watters from the Miramichi Hoops organization. As you featured last month- as a result of the COVID restrictions it was proposed that the two local organizations Miramichi Hoops (Pulamoo) and Tommies organizations combine for a period of time. This allowed all local kids to bubble together. Hence River Hoops was born!
There was significant extra work in the preparation and roll out of essentially a new program. One major challenge was finding gym times to accommodate the large group. This was very interesting considering no public schools were accessible! It required weekly juggling of gym times and locations and management of available funds as the association costs were significantly higher for the season.
So impressive how all of our kids in all age groups were able to attend three sessions per week with record attendance continuing until the end of the program. Although there were not many games played in the end with the constantly evolving recovery phase rules - I know my kids and many others enjoyed every minute of all the skills and drills sessions!
There were many volunteer coaches that also made this happen - but these two gentlemen, longtime executives and volunteers with the Miramichi Hoops organization really stepped up in this difficult season. They helped to bring some normalcy to our kids lives and allow them to get out there and play the game they love!"
Photo: Dennis Lirette
Photo: Jim Watters
Nomination submitted by: Anonymous
Roberto DiDonato - Moncton Basketball Association
"Roberto has gone above and beyond what was asked of him as a volunteer. He is one of the recreational coordinators on our Board of Directors and began the season coaching 3 teams! After a few coaches stepped down, Roberto took on coaching their teams to ensure that our athletes could continue to be active and play basketball. He finished the season coaching 4 girls teams and 1 boys team - ranging in age groups from U10 all the way up to U16/18.
We held an End of Season Celebration for our Recreational teams and Roberto volunteered the entire weekend - 26 hours in total! Our season would not have been possible without Roberto! He is the glue that has held our Recreational Program together throughout all the changes COVID-19 has thrown at us."
Photo: Roberto DiDonato & his three children.
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1988-1989 Bantam Boys - Robert is #15
Nomination submitted by: Alison Foster, Executive Director, Moncton Basketball Association
Candace Muir - Hampton Minor Basketball Association
"HMBA had a large turnover in board members at the most awkward time, while trying to coordinate basketball during a pandemic. Candace joined the board as a member at large and assumed the responsibility of writing our operational plan and coordinating with BNB.
First off, a location was needed, Candace along with a small committee worked with the Hampton Baptist Church to secure the use of their facility. Facility visits were done, measurements taken, access routes planned, cleaning touch points documented, all to ensure HMBA would be compliant with all of the guidelines. Once a site was secured she worked tirelessly researching other associations plans, the current restrictions, basketball return to play guidelines etc to ensure that HMBA’s Op Plan was detailed as well as being clear and concise The Op Plan received positive feedback from BNB on its thoroughness and attention to detail.
Once we were approved she worked with the coaches to ensure that they were well informed with the Operational Plan, their role, responsibilities as well as those of the required volunteers. Candace even drove to Fredericton to procure the disinfectant supplies to clean the site and equipment as well as created the necessary signage.
When we went live with Skill Sessions, Candace spent the majority of the first day at the church to ensure that everything went well and everyone was well advised. Although we’ve been on again off again due to movement from yellow, orange, red, etc HMBA could never have gotten off the ground without Candace’s dedication and effort. She has proven to be an invaluable volunteer for Hampton Minor Basketball."
Photo: Candace Muir
Nomination submitted by: Celeste Reid McPherson, Vice-President, Hampton Minor Basketball Association
Eavan McLaughlin & Isabella Quinn - Fredericton Pheonix U14 Girls
"These two young ladies are high school varsity basketball players who eagerly stepped up to volunteer their spare time as junior coaches to this newly formed Fredericton U14 girls team. They are both well deserving of this volunteer member appreciation!
Isabella ‘Bella’ and Eavan are a driving force behind the success of this season. With a lack of games and tournaments and the restrictions on practices, these young ladies continue to find ways to keep the girls energized and excited about the game of basketball. They have been innovative in helping the coaches to work through all of the challenges and get these girls, many of whom are in their last year of club basketball, working on skill development and continuing to grow their love for the game. They are often called upon to run the team through drills and they do so with eagerness and ease. They also help with technical skills and can often be found adjusting a girls’ shot or doing a demonstration prior to the start or after a practice.
Not only did they volunteer their time to run clinics for 30 girls in August and September of 2020, with the intention of getting kids back on the court, but they have participated with the BNB sanctioned girls U14 team since September without fail. They show up every week with positive attitudes and demonstrate good ethics and hard work to the younger players. They are positive female role models who raise the bar for the U14s at every practice. Thanks in large part to the drive and determination of Bella and Eavan, the girls have had a great year despite Covid and will be well prepared for whatever comes next.
From a player: "Most of the time I love practice. Coaches make us work really hard but they alwys make it fun at the end of the drills. I am happy that we got to practice and even play a few games because it was really boring before and even my school didn’t have a team. I am happy I got to make new friends. Eavan is a really good shooter and I want to be like her and I like when the older girls join us because it sometimes makes me want to run faster or try harder and beat them to the net."
There is no doubt that these two girls are the next generation of female coaches in NB."
Photos: Eavan & Isabella
Nomination submitted by: Chandra Clowater, Manager, Fredericton Pheonix
Jody Allen - Riverview Minor Basketball Association
"I have had the privilege of working with Jody since the summer preparing for the season. I’ve volunteered my entire life but I’ve rarely seen someone as passionate about getting the kids playing the game again as I have as Jody.
His main concern during the entire pandemic season was the safety of his volunteers and players. He dedicated hundreds of hours to the association, led by example by attending many of the sessions to temperature screen, sanitize and check players in. He was vigilante, organized and proactive to keep everyone safe.
I can honestly say that without a doubt he deserves this recognition."
Photo: Jody Allen
Nomination submitted by: Anonymous
Emily McLeod - Fredericton High School JV Girls
"I would like to nominate the Fredericton High Schools junior varsity girls head coach Emily Macleod. This is Emily’s first year as head coach and saying she goes above and beyond is an understatement. Emily is a young student with a very busy schedule. She never misses out on teaching us all important lessons on and off the court. Despite the crazy year we’ve had, this is still one of the best seasons of basketball I've ever played all thanks to Emily. She works extremely hard to make practices fun and enjoyable, and the gym is always a safe place for all athletes. She cares deeply about the girls and the sport like no coach I’ve seen before.
Thanks for the opportunity to write up on such a good coach!"
Nomination submitted by: Sophie Howland
Jamie McCue - Woodstock Minor Basketball Association
This year has been a difficult one and Jamie has gone above and beyond, helping with BNB's Jr EDP and Next Wave program in the west.
With the uncertainly of the season, Jamie was still able to keep multiple programs running at the local middle school and with WMBA's U12 and U14 teams.
Jamie is the president of Woodstock Minor Basketball association and a full time Teacher at Woodstock High School, as well as a mom of two very talented basketball daughters. It’s one thing to do all of this in a normal year but to do during a pandemic is quite something.
Photo: Jamie McCue
Nomination submitted by: Anonymous
Penobsquis Baptist Church - Sussex Region
"Sussex Minor Basketball Association would like to acknowledge Penobsquis Baptist Church as having gone above and beyond to make basketball possible for our competitive players in the 2020-21 season.
Being a small association in a community with only school gyms, SMBA feared that no basketball in our area would be possible and the season would be lost entirely. Our players, parents, and executive were heartened when (in true volunteer spirit) the board of the Baptist Church at Penobsquis stepped forward and offered their space to us, saving the year for our U12 & U14 boys and girls, providing them with a practice facility. Their appreciation of the value of sport to the physical and mental health of youth and their community-mindedness merits our sincere gratitude and a huge Thank You!"
Nomination submitted by: Sussex Minor Basketball Association
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