2025 Student-Athlete Bursary Recipients Announced Today
The Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to introduce the 2025 recipients of the bursary, awarded annually to 4 student-athletes pursuing post-secondary education.
The bursaries, made possible through the fundraising efforts of the Jack’s Golf Tournament, award each student-athlete with $2000, which will be used to help finance their post-secondary education.
At a press conference emcee’d by Board of Directors member Linda de Jeu, family and friends gathered to celebrate the achievements of these worthy candidates. Below, please read of the successes and future goals of the recipients.
Sydney Dobbin
Sydney is an honours student and is a graduate of St. Peter Secondary School.
She will be attending the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland studying to become a doctor.
Sydney is a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, soccer, ran cross country and track and field and competed in Alpine Ski racing and Badminton. She was captain of her basketball and soccer teams. She was named Senior female athlete of the year this past spring and has earned 10 MVP awards and 2 most dedicated throughout her high school career. Through her 4 years at St. Peter she qualified for 9 OFSAA championships in her sports of cross country running, soccer, basketball and Alpine ski racing.
Sydney has developed her leadership skill as a member of the Saints Athletic council – organizing sport events for elementary students, athletic banquets and advocating for student- athlete needs. She has been a social media manager for athletics at St. Peter, assisted with scorekeeping boys and girls basketball games,
In the community Syd has been a member of the Peterborough Youth Soccer association for 11 years and and Youth Basketball member for 9 years. On Many of these teams she was not only a player but chosen captain.
On top of all of the high school and community sport participation Sydney still found time to volunteer at PRHC with the Hospital Elder Life Program – supporting seniors with companionship and support in their recovery In addition Sidney has had made time to volunteer at the Peterborough city soccer summer camp as well as volunteering with the time to hoop basketball Academy an being a Special Olympics volunteer.
Matthew Kathiravelu
Matthew is an honours student and a graduate of Kenner Collegiate.
He will be attending the University of Pennsylvania where he was accepted to the prestigious Wharton School of Business – studying Economics and working towards a Bachelor of Science degree.
Matthew is a multi sport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, badminton and track & field. He was the captain of the basketball, volleyball and track and field teams and was also named player of the year on all three of these teams. As captain of the basketball team he led the Kenner Rams to an OFSAA silver medal this past year and an antique bronze 2 years ago. In addition to this he is a 2 time OFSAA triple jump gold medalist and an OFSAA long jump silver medalist. As a result of these outstanding performances he was named Kenner senior male athlete of the year.
In addition to all of these athletic accolades Matthew was awarded the Governor General’s Award – given to the student who has highest academic average (97%)in his graduating class.
Matthew has developed his leadership skills as a coach for the track and field team – sharing his knowledge of jumping with the younger members of the Kenner team. He has also been a representative on the student council as well as the athletic committee.
In the community Matthew has been a member of the Peterborough Power basketball program for 2 years and a player and captain with the Time to Hoop basketball program for 2 years. He has also been a member of the United Tamil Sports Club for 3 years.
In addition to all of Matthews high school and community sport he still found time to volunteer as a coach of Peterborough Youth basketball, complete a coop at Community Futures Peterborough and coaching youth at Ferndale summer sports camp.
Olivia McBride
Olivia McBride is an honours student and is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate.
She will be attending McMaster University in Hamilton studying health sciences as she works towards an Honours Bachelor of Health Science Degree.
Olivia is a multi sport athlete who has competed in cross country running, basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, track and field and tennis. She was also a member of the school’s Special Olympics Unified basketball team this past year.
In her final year Olivia was captain of the senior basketball and senior soccer team
During her 4 years as a Lion she has earned 9 different team awards, received her junior and senior athletic letter, was named Junior athlete of the year in grade 10 and senior athlete of the year in grade 12.
In her final year she was one of the recipients of the Paul Burke Honour Athlete award – which recognizes commitment and dedication to athletics over a student’s entire high school career as well as receiving the Marilyn Tudhope OFSAA Award of Excellence.
Olivia has developed her leadership skills by completing a Specialist High Skills Major program which allowed her to run a grade 9 Olympics day, earn certifications in fair play and coaching, and take part in career exploration and leadership positions. She has run volleyball intramurals for fellow students, assisted with junior girls basketball tryouts and officiated elementary basketball tournaments.
In the community Olivia has been a member of the Peterborough City soccer club for 4 years and the Peterborough Power basketball club for 4 years.
On top of all of the high school and community sport participation Olivia has been a volunteer at Peterborough Regional health centre as a way finder, been a tutor for Adam Scott Intermediate students, been a basketball scorekeeper and a volunteer at Edmison Heights public school assisting in a grade 6 classroom – organizing pizza lunches and coaching dance and gymnastics.
Rutger Huntley
Rutger is an honours student and graduate of Crestwood Secondary School.
He will be attending Queen’s University in Kingston pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.
Ru is a multi sport athlete who played volleyball, badminton, tennis, ultimate frisbee was an alpine skier and a track and field athlete. He was captain of the volleyball team for each year of his career as a Mustang. He was named MVP of the volleyball team 4 times, the badminton team 3 times and earned 2 sportsmanship awards. He is a 9 time COSSA medalist a 5 time OFSAA participant.
Ru has humbly received two of Crestwood’s most prestigious Dysart Awards of Athletic Excellence – perfectly embodying the traits which 1990 Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Norm Dysart would have been overjoyed to see.
Ru has developed his leadership skills in many ways. He has been a coach for the senior girls and junior boys volleyball teams at Crestwood, been an official for 4 years for intermediate volleyball tournaments, he has been a Soul beach volleyball coach for 4 years, he has been a Durham attack U15 assistant coach and he has done some private coaching of beach volleyball players. Can you guess his favorite sport??
In the community Ru has been captain and played volleyball for Durham Attack for 3 years, Peterborough Thunder for 1 year, team Ontario Beach for 1 year, Soul Beach for 4 years, OVA beach tour for 4 years and has recently played badminton with the Peterborough Badminton Club for 1 year. He has received a Durham Attack leadership award 3 times, the Achievement of Excellence Award and the Lisa Ford Memorial Award.
As well as his volleyball interests – Ru has been a volunteer with the Millbrook BIA festival for 4 years acting as an organizer and assisting with set up, and he has volunteered with Mitchel’s cakes and desserts.
