Neepawa Sports Dinner a massive success
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- Published on Friday, October 30, 2015
Reggie Leach speaks to the crowd at the 7th annual Neepawa Sports Dinner. Photo by Eoin Devereux
Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
The seventh annual Neepawa Sports Dinner will be long remembered as one of the most successful installments in the event’s history. The evening was co-hosted by Neepawa’s Leisure Services Department and the Neepawa Natives junior “A” hockey club on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Around 260 people attended the dinner, which featured guest speaker, former NHLer and Hockey Hall of Famer Reggie Leach. The man known as the Riverton Rifle, shared stories right from his early days with the Flin Flon Bombers, to his professional career in the National Hockey League. Leach said he’s very proud to participate in events like the Sports Dinner, which aids in keeping community sports viable. He said it was especially pleasing to him to see the local junior “A” club being the beneficiary, as he understands just how difficult it is for a small community to keep its hockey club.
“I know that in smaller communities, it really can be a struggle to raise the funds needed to support a junior “A” team. You have to remember that [junior hockey] is entertainment for the town, but it’s also a revenue generator for the local arena, local restaurants and hotels. If you don’t support the team, all of a sudden, you can lose the team. I’ve seen it happen in other towns across Canada. Later on, people will wonder, ‘What happened?’ Well, what happened was you took the team for granted,” noted Leach. “To have a junior team in the community is something special. They can serve as role models and volunteers. Just look around right now. [The players] are here tonight, helping out with the dinner. That’s something you just can’t take for granted. The young kids of the community can look up to these junior hockey players. Doesn’t matter if they’re winning or not. I think it’s very important for a town like this to have role models out and about in the community. So an event like this, that helps the team out is really something special.”
Neepawa Leisure Services Department has been a part of the event since its inception. Department manager Amanda Novak said it has developed into an incredible way to raise money for local recreation organizations and assist in the development of recreation related capital projects.
“It’s been a very positive night. We’ve grown in number compared to last year, by almost a 100 people, so that’s very encouraging,” said Novak. “For this year, we’ll split the proceeds between ourselves and the Neepawa Natives, who’ve done a great job with helping to put this together,” said Novak. “As for our proceeds, it will go towards the continued development at the Flats. We’ve done a lot of work there, enlarging the soccer pitches, improving drainage. What we’d really like to see is it turn into a year round recreational venue. We’re continuing to focus on improvements such as concrete for an outdoor rink, basketball courts and a paved walkway. We’d also really like to get the skateboard park relocated down there.”
Derek Pearson, the owner and operator of Boxe Neepawa, was also singled out at the dinner, receiving the Neepawa Sportsperson of the Year award for his continued dedication to the sporting community. Pearson said this was an unexpected honour.
“It really was [a surprise to me]. In the world that I come from, boxing coaches and MMA coaches often don’t get the same recognition as a football or hockey coach would. A lot of what we do as coaches is behind closed doors and not in the spotlight. So, this did catch me off guard,” said Pearson. “To be even nominated was a huge honour. I know there are many great coaches and volunteers in Neepawa, so I’m quite humbled and honoured by this award,” said Pearson.
Other highlights from the evening included comedian and impersonator Clark Robertson, who entertained the crowd with his Don Cherry impersonation. Another big part of the night was the fundraising auction, which was able to generate some additional cash for the Leisure Services Department and the Neepawa Natives. The official numbers from ticket sales and the auction are still being tallied. Those results should be made public within the next few weeks.
