Kiara Jefferies has been named the 2023 recipient of the Jim Aspin Memorial Award for Executive of the Year from the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
Jefferies played a key role in moving the organization forward to their current name and association with Nipissing University, as the Ice Boltz are now recognized as the Nipissing Junior Lakers for all girls' and womens' hockey programs.
Jefferies has been making her mark in local hockey and soccer since moving to North Bay in 2017. She was coach of the U7 FUNdamentals and U11 Ice Boltz in 2022 and was also an executive within the Ice Boltz system. Her work with these teams earned her a special recognition from Hockey Canada as she was named the Ontario recipient for the BFL Coach of the Year Award.
In 2023, Jefferies started the year as the Vice President of Jr. Lakers Girls Hockey and is now the President and under her guidance the club has seen exponential growth in both participant numbers as well as in their day-to-day operations.
Jefferies is also a member of the board for Nipissing District Soccer, which was able to stay operational during the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed children, youth and adult leagues to have a safe space to play outdoors. Jefferies work with Nipissing District Soccer as the Manager of Summer Programs has also seen a rapid rise in growth at all ages, including in kids signing up to play soccer for the first time.
"Sport has always given me more than I can give back - positive values, life goals, and friendships," said Jefferies.
"My hope is sport can give the youth and adults the same positive experience it gave and continues to give me. I would also like to extend a thank you to everyone who works hard and gives countless hours to ensure we have many different sports organizations within the community."
Jefferies will receive her award at the 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner to be held at the Davedi Club on Saturday, April 27 th , 2024. Tickets are available by calling Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104, Trista Grant at 705-472-0009, the Davedi Club at 705- 474-4190, or by contacting any Board Member.
