Big plans for Neepawa Sports Dinner
- Details
- Published on Friday, October 20, 2017
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press
Anticipation is building around the ninth annual Neepawa Sports Dinner. The event, organized by the Neepawa Natives Junior “A” Hockey Club, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Yellowhead Hall. In previous years, athletes such as olympian Jon Montgomery and former NHLers Darryl Sittler, Reggie Leach and Lanny MacDonald have previously headlined the night. For this year, it will feature former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive linemen Chris Walby as the guest speaker.
Neepawa Natives vice president Cam Tibbett, who will serve as the master of ceremonies for the night, said Walby will have many fascinating antidotes to share.
“Chris Walby is a very engaging speaker and he has so many great stories about his time in the Canadian Football League and how his football career relates back to hockey. I’ve heard him speak before and he has some very interesting stories to share. It should be really entertaining,” stated Tibbett.
The Sports Dinner is also an opportunity to recognize the local contributors to Neepawa’s sports and recreational community, through the annual Sportsperson of the Year award. In 2016, Rodney White received the honour for his ongoing support for both minor hockey and baseball in Neepawa. Team president Ken Waddell stated anyone who wishes to nominate a local individual, whom they deem worthy, is asked to contact the team.
As for the other aspects of the evening, Tibbett noted that the organizing committee and volunteers have been quite busy gathering both sponsorships for the dinner, as well as a wide array of auction items and prizes. He expects the support will be phenomenal.
“We have sponsors coming on board now and people are starting to get groups together to book full tables.” Tibbett said. “The night itself should be a great evening of entertainment, along with an amazing meal. Last year’s dinner sold out, I believe, with nearly 300 seats sold. This year we’re expecting it’ll be similar. There’s a lot of interest inside the community [of Neepawa] and outside the community from people hoping to take part in this great event.”
The ninth annual Sports Dinner in Neepawa takes place Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Yellowhead Centre Hall. Cocktails are scheduled for 5 p.m. with the dinner set to begin at 6 p.m.
