Cambridge Sports Awards celebrate city's athletic excellence

Friday was a night of celebration in the city.

The community gathered in Galt to honour the athletic contributions of players, coaches, organizations and volunteers through the 51st annual Cambridge Sports Awards inside the Cambridge Centre for the Arts.

Conestoga College soccer standout Malachi Ramsay was named the Tim Turow Athlete of the Year. Ramsay previously garnered the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association male Athlete of the Year award back in June.

The Scorpions U15 girls volleyball team received George Hill Team of the Year honours and the Monsignor Doyle varsity hockey team took home High School Team of the Year.

The Cambridge Aquajets were named Organization of the Year and soccer goalkeeper Rylee Foster earned the Heart of Sport award given to the athlete who faced challenges and overcame those obstacles in their sport.

Challenger Baseball and Cambridge Ice Hounds coach Cam Linwood was honoured as the Don and Benita Rope Sports Contributor of the Year.

"The fact we've been honouring athletic achievement for so long speaks to the importance of sport and the calibre of athletes in our city," Vanda Gardiner, organizer of the awards, said.

"Excellence in sport, whether through team work, individual skill or our sports organizations is a vital part of a strong, healthy and vibrant community."

Gardiner hopes residents feel a sense of pride around the awards and nominees as the athletes often compete locally, provincially, nationally and internationally representing Cambridge.

They can also serve as an inspiration for many, she said.

"Our talented athletes make us proud of our community," she said.

"All the sports organizations, the volunteers and the coaches who give of their time and talents enrich the lives of all Cambridge residents. They makes us strive for excellence, share our differences through sport and come together for a common goal."

Each time the awards are handed out, the reaction from the athletes and the community never ceases to amaze her.

"When we present to our community the breadth of talent, skill and determination of our athletes and I can hear the awe in their voices as they hear and see what our athletes have accomplished and what they overcame to get there, my heart swells," Gardiner said.