7 named to Sports Wall of Fame
Players, coaches, builders and team will be honoured in May
Seven new members are being inducted into the Trent Hills Sports Wall of Honour.
The advisory board that selected these individuals and groups said they “are recognized for their exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the advancement of local sports in Hastings, Warkworth and Campbellford, leaving a lasting legacy within their communities.”
The official induction ceremony will take place during the annual gala on Saturday, May 9 at the Hastings Field House. Commemorative plaques honouring each inductee will be added to the Trent Hills Sports Wall of Honour, located in the lobby at the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre in Campbellford. You can read more here.
New inductees representing Hastings are Bob Scriver and Hastings Legion Branch #106, both in the builder category; representing Warkworth are Gordon Allanson as a builder and Victor Balas as a coach; and representing Campbellford are Nancy Coveney Snarr in the athlete/builder categories, the 1979-80 Campbellford Juvenile ‘B’ hockey team in the team category and Tom Holmes as an athlete.
The late Bob Scriver was selected for his longtime commitment to sports, youth development and community service that left an indelible mark on the village and surrounding area.
Widely respected as an athlete, organizer and official, he dedicated over four decades to developing local hockey and baseball and mentoring young athletes. Bob was instrumental in founding the Hastings and District Minor Hockey League, where he was president and organized teams for many years.
Bob also refereed local and regional hockey for 42 years and umpired softball for 35 years. As an umpire, Bob’s unique style was reflected in his memorable expressions and signature calls, most notably “2-22” and “Close ... but out!“
Hastings Legion Branch #106 was chosen for developing and maintaining a vibrant sports culture in the village for almost a century. Chartered in 1927, the Hastings Legion evolved from supporting veterans to fostering community engagement through sports and recreation. Over the years, the Legion’s sponsorship and organization of minor sports and training clinics provided structured opportunities for youth participation and skill development.
Gordon Allanson was selected as a builder for his exemplary volunteer service and contributions to youth sports within the community, most notably through his leadership roles with the Warkworth Minor Hockey Association, where he served twice as president and was manager of several teams.
In the early 1970s, Gordon helped manage Warkworth minor hockey teams and personally ensured that players would have reliable transportation to late-night practices in Colborne by using his own vehicle. In 1973, Gordon took on the responsibility of managing the old Warkworth Arena, affectionately known as the “Cow Palace” because of its distinctive barn-like structure and natural ice surface.
Victor Balas was selected as a coach for his dedication and exceptional commitment to the development of Warkworth minor hockey for nearly two decades. A former hockey player and captain of the Warkworth Juvenile ‘D’ all-Ontario finalists in 1976, Victor transitioned to coaching in 1982.
As a coach and mentor, he left an impressive mark on local minor hockey, guiding two Warkworth Pee Wee teams to provincial championships in the 1980s and helping the 2001 Atoms reach the provincial finals. Victor’s commitment to hockey excellence and ability to inspire teams to reach their highest potential earned him Warkworth Minor Hockey Association “Coach-of-the-Year” award twice, in 1993 and ‘99.
Nancy Coveney Snarr was selected in the athlete and builder categories for her outstanding athletic achievements in softball and pioneering efforts in advancing women’s sports in Campbellford.
In the 1960s, organized sports for girls were virtually non-existent in the community so Nancy had to develop her skills by playing sports informally with boys. She quickly became one of the top female softball players in Campbellford but didn’t have a local league in which to play.
In 1962, at the age of 16, Nancy founded the Parkway Panthers, the first girls’ softball team in the area. She established the Campbellford Ladies Softball League in 1967. Acting both as president and a player, she oversaw the league’s expansion to six teams and today -- almost six decades later -- the league remains a vibrant part of the local sports community.
Last year, at age 82, Nancy came out of retirement to coach a local under-9 softball team.
The 1979-80 Campbellford Juvenile ‘B’ hockey team was selected in the team category for its historic all-Ontario championship-winning season. In the spring of 1980, the team captured the town’s first Juvenile provincial title, which ended a 28-year drought for the local minor hockey association.
The championship was clinched with a 4-3 win over Aylmer, a perennial Juvenile powerhouse that was seeking its third straight title. After losing to Aylmer in the previous season’s provincial final, the Campbellford team entered the 1979-80 season with renewed commitment. Over a span of four playoff rounds, Campbellford demonstrated clear superiority over its opponents, compiling a record of 14 wins and only two losses.
Tom Holmes was named as an athlete for his distinguished career as a softball pitcher in the Campbellford region throughout the 1960s and ‘70s. For more than a decade, Tom set the standard for pitching excellence, earning widespread recognition as one of the premier softball pitchers in the area.
Tom is honoured for his extraordinary skill, consistency and endurance on the mound. Among his many career highlights, Tom pitched three no-hitters, including two perfect games.
One of his most memorable performances was at the 1975 Hastings Softball Tournament when Tom tossed a perfect game in the championship final as Campbellford defeated Brighton 4-0.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Tom was one of the founding members of the Campbellford Men’s Softball League, which was established in the early 1960s.
You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.
Great choices, one in particular is Bob Scriver in his hockey referee. It brings back memories for me of my minor hockey days over seventy years ago. Bob always had a smile he was enjoying the game as much as the players.
Great choices.
Great writeup celebrating local legacys. What stands out is how Bob Scriver's four decades of referee work basically created institutional memory for youth sports - without folks like him, these programs just evaporate between gnerations. Nancy Coveney Snarr founding that first girls team in '62 then still coaching at 82 is wild, shows how one person's stubborn initiative can create lasting infastructure. Communities this size live and die by whether people step up to organize, not just participate.