Special Awards
There are several special awards that are given out every year in recognition of individuals or groups of individuals who have made particular contributions to the sport of armwrestling in Ontario or who have attained high levels of success. These awards are briefly described below. All OAA members can potentially qualify for these awards.
Puller of the Year - The male and female pullers who have earned the most points at Circuit Sanctioned events by the end of the year will be named the Male and Female Pullers of the Year. They will each receive a trophy, as well as $200. The trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new Puller of the Year. The current standings for the 2011-2012 OAA season can be found here.
Team of the Year - The team that has earned the most points at Circuit Sanctioned events by the end of the year will be named Team of the Year. The team will receive a large trophy, as well as $300. The trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new Team of the Year. The current standings for the 2011-2012 OAA season can be found here.
Ontario's Strongest Armwrestling Region - The region whose pullers have earned the most points at Circuit Sanctioned events by the end of the year will be named Ontario's Strongest Armwrestling Region. The pullers from that region will share a trophy. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new strongest region. The current standings for the 2011-2012 OAA season can be found here.
Promoter of the Year - An individual who has made particular efforts to grow the sport of armwrestling within the province, whether by organizing tournaments, building up a strong team, encouraging new pullers, etc. will be named Promoter of the Year. This individual will receive a large trophy. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new recipient.
Rookie of the Year - This award will be given to a relatively new puller who has had success very quickly in the sport. The Rookie of the Year/Most Improved Puller will receive a large trophy. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new recipient.
Most Improved Puller - This award will be given to a puller who has made significant performance improvements over the course of the year, through hard work and dedication. The Most Improved Puller will receive a large trophy. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new recipient.
Murray Park Memorial Award - This award will be given out to a puller who, win or lose, maintained a positive attitude and love of the sport. Sportsmanlike behaviour would certainly be demonstrated by the winner of this award. The Murray Park Memorial Award is a large trophy, and was developed in memory of a well-loved Ontario puller named Murray Park. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new recipient.
Ironman Award - This award will be given to the puller who competed in the largest number of OAA sanctioned events over the course of the year. The Ironman will receive a large trophy, as well as $200. This trophy is to be returned at the following year's Provincial Championships to be given out to the new recipient.
The recipients of the Promoter of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Puller, and Murray Park Memorial Award will be voted on by OAA members at the Annual General Meeting.
Historical Listing of Past OAA Annual Award Winners
Male Puller of the Year
2011 - Shea Dickie
2010 - Shea Dickie
2009 - Shea Dickie
2008 - Kyle Sillito
2007 - not awarded
2006 - Eric Roussin and Earl Wilson (Tie)
2005
2004
2003
2002 - Joey Costello
2001
2000 - Andrew Conley
1999 - not awarded
1998 - Earl Wilson
1997 - Bill Lougheed
1996 - Mark Gardner
1995 - Mike Morin
1994 - Dave Knox
1993 - Dave Knox
Female Puller of the Year
2011 - Janet Riehle
2010 - Laura Cook
2009 - Laura Cook
2008 - Janet McDowell (Riehle)
2007 - not awarded
2006 - not awarded
2005
2004
2003
2002 - Wenda Orchard
2001
2000 - Ashley Boyes
1999 - not awarded
1998 - Barb Zalepa (Schlegel)
1997 - Linda deGroot
1996 - Barb Zalepa (Schlegel)
1995 - Tamara Kelly (Mitts)
1994 - Barb Zalepa (Schlegel)
1993 - Barb Zalepa (Schlegel)
Team of the Year
2011 - Teeswater Thunder
2010 - Teeswater Thunder
2009 - Teeswater Thunder
2008 - Teeswater Thunder
2007 - not awarded
2006 - not awarded
2005 - not awarded
2004 - not awarded
2003
2002 - Collingwood Armwrestling
2001 - Collingwood Armwrestling
2000 - Southpoint Pullers
Ontario's Strongest Armwrestling Region
2011 - Western Ontario
2010 - Western Ontario
2009 - Western Ontario
2008 - Western Ontario
Promoter of the Year
2011 - Joe Gould
2010 - Mike Gould
2009 - Joe Gould
2008 - Joe Gould
2007 - not awarded
2006 - Luke Laporte
2005 - Luke Laporte
2004 - Luke Laporte
2003
2002 - Luke Laporte
2001
2000 - Gus Bush
1999
1998
1997
1996 - Joanne Lachance
1995 - Dave Knox
Rookie of the Year
2011 - Tyler Robinson
2010 - Bill Cameron
2009 - Brad Wade
2008 - Laura Cook
2007 - not awarded
2006 - Jeff Slater
2005 - Craig Mitchell
2004 - Rick Heidebrecht
2003 - Eric Roussin
2002 - Jacques Aubin
2001 - Wenda Orchard
2000 - Chuck Garvey
Most Improved Puller
2011 - Joel Goodsell
2010 - Jeff Kaye
2009 - Gerald Ronald
2008 - Jeff Penney
Murray Park Memorial
2011 - Joel Goodsell
Ironman Award
2011 - Tony Brooks and Guy Windover (Tie)
2010 - Kyle Kerswill and Al Aubin (Tie)