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Heather Chambers wins Jim Aspin Award

Over the past number of years, Chambers has dedicated a lot of her time to Sport North Bay and has served as the driving force behind the organization.
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From the time she moved to North Bay in 1976, Heather Chambers always felt it was important to give back to sport, and for that dedication and commitment she has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Jim Aspin Memorial Award as Executive of the year.

For 20 years she was the head of Girl’s Physical Education at West Ferris Secondary School. This position afforded her the opportunity of getting involved above and beyond the classroom and the gym as she coached basketball, volleyball and track and field.

While she was a dedicated coach, she honed her administrative skills serving as a multi-year/multi-sport convenor for local, regional, and provincial events from 1976-1999.

Ms. Chambers got involved with OFSAA executive work in 1980 and for the next 30+ years she served on the OFSAA Board of Directors, subsequently chairing numerous committees. At the regional level, she was part of the NOSSA Board of Directors for close to 40 years, which included four stints as Chair. She continued her involvement at the local level as well serving on the NDA Board of Directors for 24 years with five terms as President.

Over the past number of years, Chambers has dedicated a lot of her time to Sport North Bay and has served as the driving force behind the organization. She has represented the organization on numerous local committees including the Multi Use Recreation Facility Committee, the North Bay Facilities Study and acting as the coordinator for the 2009 Olympic Torch Run.

She has also continued her hands-on involvement assuming key roles in events such as the World Ringette Championships and the 2015 Special Olympics Winter Games.

Her efforts have been recognized on a number of fronts including the Pete Beach (OFSAA) Award in 1994, the Syl Apps Provincial Special Achievement Award in 1998 and induction into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

In discussing the award with Heather one thing became very clear. Seeing the end result of her efforts and the impact that it had on youth was and still is today one of her most motivating reasons for doing what she has done.

“Seeing the benefits to youth and our community that sport provides and the outcomes derived from that involvement is one of the great rewards that I have seen through my involvement," stated Chambers.

“Working with youth was as rewarding for me as the participation by the youth in the teams and community events that they participated in. So many young people’s lives were molded by their involvement in sport and to have been able to play just a small part in that provides me with a tremendous amount of satisfaction.”

When asked what has changed the most over the years, Chambers was quick to respond that “the lack of understanding of the impact that sport programs have on young people. Administration and bureaucracy are making participation more difficult today than it was in the past.”

Chambers will be presented with her award at the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Awards dinner May 6th at the Best Western (Lakeshore). Tickets are available from any Executive Committee member, by calling Chair Bill Jacko at 705-476-1429, or emailing Karen Cobb at [email protected]