Ottawa Lions Take Home Three Ottawa Sports Awards for 2007

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club garnered three 2007 Ottawa Sports Awards .  One for Club of the Year, and two Lifetime Achievement Awards for Coaching and Sport Volunteer Administrator

Bill Heikkila, a former Canadian record holder and 1968 Olympian in the javelin, was recognized  by Ottawa's Mayor Larry O'Brien with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching.  He received this honour for his excellence in coaching and mentoring of coaches in Canada and throughout the world.  For 36 years, Bill has been coached all levels of the Javelin from beginners through to Olympians.  The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is privileged to call Bill one of their own.  His expert coaching and mentoring skills are cultivating new athletes and coaches everyday.

Pat Reid presenting Bill Heikkila his award

The Ottawa Lions took home the City's Top Prize for the Sports Club of the Year .  The Lions had a very successful year claiming both the Senior and Junior National Team Titles.  The Club also proved it's dominance at the provincial level as well.  The club directed by Andy McInnis won 4 of a possible 5 Age Group Categories and the Overall Ontario Club Championship.  When accepting the award on behalf of the Ottawa Lions, McInnes  stated "it was the efforts and contributions of the numerous coaches, the volunteers, and athlete talent base that made this year such a huge success.


Andy McInnis accepting the Club of the Year Award

Denis Landry with his wife MaureenAlso recognized on this night was former Ottawa Lion coach and Board Member in the 90's, Denis Landry for Sports Volunteer/Administrator in Sport.  Denis spent 35 years educating, coach, officiating and administrating at all levels of athletics from elementary school to university, from local to international meets.  He is a past president of the Ontario Track & Field Association and also worked as the Director of Coaching Education for Athletics Canada.  Along with being a coach on many international teams, Landry also coached the University of Ottawa Cross Country Team (1980's) to three consecutive provincial and national team titles.  Many people on all frontiers of our sport have benefited from the efforts of Denis Landry, including the Ottawa Lions.
 Denis Landry being presented his Lifetime
Achievement Award by Penny Joyce

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