Whitby Sports Hall of Fame – 27th Induction Gala
On the evening of April 26, 2025, the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame hosted its 27th Induction Gala at Royal Ashburn Golf Club. With an audience of 150 guests in attendance, the Hall welcomed three new members in the Builder category: Clare Osborne (Baseball), Tami Rayner (Lacrosse), and Denise Daleman-Robinson (Soccer).
In their acceptance speeches, Clare, Tami, and Denise spoke glowingly and passionately of the unwavering support and encouragement from family members in the pursuit of their goals and dreams in their respective sports; they also recognized the many teammates, coaches, and managers with whom they have shared their accomplishments, and all the mentors and influencers who played significant roles in shaping their careers.
The Hall of Fame committee also took the opportunity individually acknowledge several of our past inductees who were in the audience that night. Additionally, four local student athletes were introduced and recognized for their success to date: Kai Chor (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Maive Partlow (Field Lacrosse), Brock Potter (Para Golf), and Barrett Potter (Golf).
Our keynote speaker for the Gala was Paul Rosen, 2006 Paralympic Gold Medalist and 2008 World Champion in Men’s Para Hockey (a sport formerly known as Sledge Hockey). Paul recounted how he overcame the loss of his right leg at age 37 to reinvent his athletic career and become the starting goaltender on Canada’s National Para Hockey Team. His inspirational remarks underscored the attitude to “never give up,” the motivational phrase that became the title of his book that was published in 2021.
The evening included a live auction, with exceptional items courtesy of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Royal Ashburn Golf Club, and a 47-item silent auction, along with a surprise presentation to every attendee (of legal drinking age) – a commemorative label beer can, created by Brock Street Brewing Company, a 2025 Gala Sponsor. This unique limited-edition label was designed to celebrate the Inductee Class of 2025, and guests each received one can as they left the Gala that night. We acknowledge the brewery, and in particular co-owners Chris Vanclief and Mark Woitzik, for creating this limited-edition design and for their long-standing support of the Hall of Fame and our inductees.
The Whitby Sports Hall of Fame committee expresses sincere thanks to all friends of the Hall who attended the 2025 Gala, as well as our Corporate Partners, Gala Sponsors, and our numerous advertisers and auction item donors for their kindness and generosity as we endeavour to achieve our mandate to preserve, promote, and celebrate the history of sports in our community.