“I prefer to encompass myself with the unusual and the overcomers – the individuals who have raised the bar and have pushed themselves. So, I really feel proper at dwelling on this room stuffed with champions,’ says athlete of yr Gray Brett
A brand new group of native athletic champions, together with athlete of the yr aggressive swimmer Gray Brett, had been acknowledged on the tenth annual Sport Aurora Breakfast of Champions.
The sold-out occasion offered by the City of Aurora introduced collectively eight groups and 92 athletes and coaches to have a good time the achievements of people and groups, and their coaches/managers, who’ve gained provincial or nationwide championships.
Sport Aurora president Ron Weese notes that though the occasion honours championship winners, it’s a comparatively unusual feat.
“Being a champion will not be simple,” he stated, “any of you who’ve participated in sport know that it comes seldom in life. Some high-performance athletes have by no means truly been on a championship group.”
Longtime MC Jim Thomson concurred. “I gained one championship and it was pee-wee hockey. And I performed 10 years as a professional on six NHL groups.”
Athletes on the Oct. 22 occasion Aurora’s Stonehaven Banquet Corridor acquired Olympic-sized medals for prime honours in quite a lot of sports activities: gymnastics, rugby, swimming, lacrosse, baton, and baseball.
Additionally honoured had been Coach of the Yr and Athlete of the Yr.
Sports activities Organizations Acknowledged:
Evolution Gymnastics • Aurora Barbarians Rugby Soccer Membership • Aurora Grasp Geese • Redbirds Lacrosse Youngsters Tremendous Health club • Spectrum North Baton Membership • York Inventive Swim Membership • Staff Ontario Astros
Gray Brett: keynote speaker and Athlete of the Yr
Gray Brett is a aggressive swimmer and co-founder and director of the Transfer For Life Basis. His story started in 2005, when this lately graduated government recruiter was identified with a uncommon autoimmune illness that was progressively attacking his liver. He lived boldly for the following decade, however in 2015 required a liver transplant.
Brett, nonetheless, was one of many fortunate ones. He made it not solely to the highest of the ready listing, however had a profitable surgical procedure. He admits to being in tough form after the transplant, weighing solely 126 kilos and being utterly depending on others, however as a former aggressive swimmer, he discovered swimming simpler than strolling. So it grew to become the core of his comeback.
“I observed an commercial for the Canadian Transplant Video games, and that they had been in Toronto in a couple of yr’s time. And it included swimming…”
He recalled a few of his former coaching, and created a program. A yr later, Brett was on the video games and swam in 5 races, successful all 5. Subsequent got here his first World Transplant Video games, which concerned becoming a member of a high-performance swim membership to arrange for the stiffer competitors.
This additionally paid off, as he swam in 5 races, successful three gold medals and setting three world information. He did it once more in 2019, the place in Newcastle England, Brett swam in 4 races, successful 4 gold medals and setting 4 extra world information.
Following the pandemic, Brett resumed coaching, and final yr joined the Aurora Grasp Geese. His latest displaying on the World Transplant Video games in Perth, Australia resulted in 5 extra golds and 5 world information in 5 occasions. He additionally famous that he’s swimming sooner now than when he was a younger aggressive swimmer.
“I prefer to encompass myself with the unusual and the overcomers – the individuals who have raised the bar and have pushed themselves,” he stated. “So, I really feel proper at dwelling on this room stuffed with champions, setting objectives, overcoming adversity, and striving for the highest to separate yourselves from the pack.”
Ray Noble: Coach of the Yr
Ray Noble was introduced as Sport Aurora’s Coach of the Yr for his contributions to Aurora Garden Bowling Membership. Noble is each president and membership coach, dedicating numerous hours every week to coach newcomers in each technical expertise and etiquette.
With a private historical past within the sport that dates again to 2006, Noble brings a singular depth of expertise and keenness to his function. His inclusive teaching fashion adapts to particular person wants, setting his trainees up for fulfillment in District and Provincial competitions.
A seasoned competitor himself, Noble has participated within the Males’s Singles Indoor Canadian Bowls Championships, making him an exemplary determine within the garden bowling neighborhood.
