Canada Games to Honour Nicolas Gill, Joy Ward-Fera, Abdul Shaikh and Sandrine Charron (February 2nd, 2015)

Ottawa- Athletes Joy Ward-Fera and Nicolas Gill, along with Builders Sandrine Charron and Abdul Shaikh, are the 2015 class of inductees to be inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour.

“This year’s class of inductees truly embody the spirit of the Canada Games,” says Tom Quinn, Canada Games Council Chairman. “From Nicolas Gill building off his gold medal winning experience at the 1987 Canada Games and using it to take the Judo world by storm, to Sandrine Charron dedicating more than two decades worth of coaching to the Canada Games movement, this class of inductees are the epitome of what makes the Canada Games so special.”

Induction into the Canada Games Hall of Honour occurs every two years during each Canada Games. The Hall of Honour recognizes, honours and celebrates exceptional Canada Games alumni who have distinguished themselves as athletes, coaches, officials or administrators, or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the Canada Games Property.

In February of 2007, the inaugural induction into the Canada Games Hall of Honour took place at a ceremony in Whitehorse, Yukon as part of the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The induction celebrated former Canada Games Chairman Jack Pelech for his years of volunteer support and countless contributions. To date, there have been four classes inducted into the Hall of Honour in Games-years, making this year’s class the fifth since 2007. 

“The Hall of Honour has become a true hallmark of the Canada Games, where we can pay tribute to the special people who have given so much to the movement,” says Sue Hylland, Canada Games Council President and CEO. “Adding these four individuals to an already prestigious list of people that includes Catriona Le May Doan, Roly McLenahan, Cassie Campbell, and of course Jack Pelech, is something that is near and dear to us at the Canada Games Council.” Nicolas Gill, a Montreal native who is an icon in the sport of Judo, had this to say about his induction into the Hall of Honour.

“The Canada Games will be forever part of my Judo history, this was my first multi-sport games experience and the experience fueled my motivation to continue to the highest level” Abdul Shaikh, originally from India, has dedicated decades of coaching in the sport of Badminton. He reflects fondly on his time spent competing and coaching at the Canada Games. “My experience as a competitor in the Canada Games in Saskatoon in 1971 was memorable in that I won the gold in the Individual Men’s Doubles in badminton in partnership with Cam Dalgleish,” says Abdul Shaikh. “I also went as coach of the Saskatchewan Badminton Team at the 2003 Canada Games, and coach of the BC Badminton Team at the 2011 Canada Games.”

The induction ceremony will take place at the Treasure Cove Casino on February 12th , 2015 as part of the celebrations for the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George taking place from February 13th – March 1st.

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