2019 Bursary Recipients Announced at Press Conference tonight

The Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame tonight announced the 2019 Bursary Award winners.  The award, presented annually to 4 graduating secondary school students who are pursuing post secondary education, is earned through a combination of athletic, community involvement and scholastic achievement.

The award is made possible through Hall of Fame funds, the Jack Gibson Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, an anonymous benefactor and this year, the former Midget “AAA” Hockey Tournament of Champions Bursary Program.

The Tournament of Champions was a Midget AAA hockey tournament that ran from 1983 to 2004. The funds raised from the tournament were designated to provide scholarships for graduating AAA players. As the last two members of the executive, Bill Juby, Tournament Chair and Ted Eason, Tournament Treasurer, felt it would be best to transfer the remaining funds to the Hall to be incorporated into it’s Bursary Program.  Over the next two years approximately $43,000 will be turned over to the Hall. Tonight, Juby and Eason presented a cheque towards their commitment to the Hall treasurer Paul Rochetta.

Braden Bruce, from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, Charles Green from Crestwood Secondary School, Hannah Knier from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School and Laura Moloney from Crestwood Secondary School each received a $2,000.00 bursary at the ceremony tonight at the Hall of Fame.

A brief biography of each student-athlete follows:

BRADEN BRUCE attended TASSS where he achieved an 80% average in his graduating year. Over his secondary school years, Braden played football, rugby, basketball, badminton and track & field, winning many MVP honours as well as the Senior Athlete of the Year. He considers that his greatest achievement was to earn a starting spot on the U18 Canadian Men’s 7’s Rugby team. He has been able to to travel to New Zealand, Dubai, and to the USA to participate in international events. He has also played on the Pagan’s rugby and Wolverines football teams.

Braden took on volunteer and leadership roles in the community and while at high school received the Senior Athletic Leadership Award at TASSS. He has been involved in volunteer projects in the community such as fundraising for ALS, and scouting and training young rugby players to develop safe and strong playing habits.

His provincial and national rugby coach states that: “Braden excels on the rugby field and would be considered one of Canada’s emerging stars.  His success in recent years has allowed him to seek educational opportunities overseas.  His move to Cardiff will allow him to study at a top educational institution as well as develop his rugby acumen in a world class environment. Further to Braden’s success as a player, his ability to lead and inspire is remarkable.”

Braden will be attending Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, Wales, UK enrolled in the Biomedical Science Program. He received a first year scholarship.

CHARLES GREEN attended Crestwood where he achieved a 95% average in his graduating year. Over his secondary school years, Charles participated in basketball, tennis, cross country, track and field. He achieved various COSSA successes and was a kickboxing gold medalist at the CASK Nationals in 2016 and a silver medalist in 2018. He competed in kickboxing in the 2018 Ontario Winter Games. Charles received honours for cross-country and track all 4 years of high school. He was awarded the Larry Pearson “Crestwood Mustang Award” in 2018. Charles feels that is greateest accomplishment came during his grade 11 year. While trying to maintain a high academic standing he was engaged in a rigorous training schedule preparing for the Ontario Winter Games, which proved to be a daunting challenge that left him mentally and physically exhausted. He feels the experience made him realize his limitations but made him a better, more considerate and grateful person.

His coach states that “Charles is a very goal oriented athlete, knowing what he wants and doing what it takes to achieve it. He never needs anyone to push him. He has a very strong work ethic, and exhibits several traits of an outstanding athlete such as self-discipline, perseverance and competitiveness. He is a natural leader who is the first to encourage others and is looked up to by his teammates.”

Charles will be attending the University of Toronto enrolled in the Computer Science Program.

HANNAH KNIER attended TASSS where she achieved a 78% average in her graduating year. Hanna was a four sport athlete with appearances at OFSAA in basketball, badminton and a two-time top 10 finisher in the high jump. She states that her most significant achievement was making the Team Ontario Volleyball team.

Hannah was a volleyball referee, community volunteer for Rhema Christian School, Special Olympics, Living Hope basketball camp as well as taking on a leadership role at high school. She won the TASSS 2015 Leadership Award and was named TAS Junior and Senior Athlete of the Year.

Her coach writes that: “Hannah is a very goal-oriented individual who knows what she wants, knows what it takes to get there and is willing to put forth the effort and commitment to ensure she is successful.  She possesses enthusiasm, dependability, work ethic and a quiet leadership not often seen in adolescents. She has been a top notch student and ambassador for TASS.  Hannah has participated in school groups, assisted in community sport and has been one of the finest athletes at TASSS over the last four years. As she embarks upon her new life journey as a NCAA 1 scholarship athlete in volleyball, her local and high school communities will suffer a great loss and her many admirable assets will be truly missed.”

Hannah will be attending the University of North Carolina Greensboro enrolled in the bachelor’s degree in kinesiology program.

LAURA MOLONEY attended Crestwood where she achieve a 95% average in her graduating year.  Over her secondary school years, Laura participated in varsity field hockey, ice hockey, volleyball and field lacrosse. In the community she played Thunder volleyball and Soul beach volleyball.  She received MVP honours for junior and senior volleyball, field hockey and field lacrosse; awarded Junior and Senior Female Athlete of the Year awards, and is a two time recipient of Crestwood’s Dysart Outstanding Athlete Award and the Peterborough Thunder Award of Excellence. Laura is also a certified Ontario Volleyball official. She volunteers her time with Jumpstart, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Summer Camps, Atom A Ice Kats “Cool Camp” and Soul beach volleyball clinics.

Despite her success as an athlete, coach and community volunteer, Laura says that her most satisfying accomplishment was her involvement as co-president of the Crestwood Student Council Relay for Life committee. Many months of hard work resulted in a large number of participants and raising $25, 625.31. Knowing that the funds raised could save someone’s life, leaves her feeling proud to have taken a lead role in such a major event.

Her coach states: “I have had the privileged of coaching Laura for the past five years, where she has captained our competitive Peterborough Thunder volleyball team every year. She was chosen as the captain because she has the ability to stay calm in high pressure situations, works hard and is respectful of her teammates, parents, an officials. She radiates positivity and has talent for motivating and encouraging her teammates. With her academic, athletic and individual excellence, she stands out in our community. It is exciting to see where her excellence will take her.”

Laura will be attending the University of Guelph enrolled int he Mechanical Engineering program.

Congratulations to each of these worthy student-athletes and best of luck in your future endeavours.