Inductees include Niagara natives Stacey Allaster, Michael Strange (pictured, left, receiving the games’ ceremonial torch), and the late Don Goodwin. The 2022 Canada Summer Games take place across various venues around Niagara from Aug. 6 to 21. Photo credit: Niagara 2022 Host Society
The Canada Games Council will induct six remarkable alumni into the Canada Games Hall of Honour on Friday, Aug. 5.
The Class of 2022 features legendary Canadian athletes Brian McKeever and Steve Nash, trailblazing builders Tom Quinn and the late Don Goodwin, and distinguished alumni Stacey Allaster and Michael Strange.
Strange, a Niagara Falls city councillor, still calls the region home.
“We are thrilled to bestow the highest honour within the Canada Games Movement upon this most-deserving class of inductees,” said Blair McIntosh, Chair of the 2022 Hall of Honour selection committee and member of the Canada Games Council board of directors.
“Brian, Steve, Stacey, Michael, Don and Tom have all sparked greatness in their respective fields on and off the field of play, and have made outstanding contributions to the legacy of the Canada Games,” Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Games said.
“We are excited to be working alongside the Canada Games Council to recognize the achievements of these distinguished Canada Games alumni.
In addition to welcoming great sport contributors like Steve Nash, Brian McKeever, and Tom Quinn, our Host Society takes immense pride in celebrating the contributions made to the Canada Games Movement by Michael Strange, Stacey Allaster, and Don Goodwin — who all have strong ties to the Niagara Region.”
The Hall of Honour celebration will be emceed by iconic Canadian broadcaster Ron MacLean and Olympic champion and Canada Games alum Catriona Le May Doan.
Established in 2007, the Hall of Honour recognizes exceptional Canada Games alumni and individuals who have sparked greatness by distinguishing themselves during the Canada Games and beyond, while contributing to the growth of the Canada Games Movement.
Stacey Allaster, a native of Welland, is a champion of diversity and inclusion, and is currently the chief executive of professional tennis with the United States Tennis Association, and the first female tournament director of the U.S. Open.
Allaster was tennis manager with Team Ontario during the 1989 Summer Games in Saskatoon.
“I love our country and I love Canadian sport, so it is an incredible honour to be inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour,” said Allaster.
“When I think about the great champions of sport and of Canada who are in the Hall of Honour, it is truly humbling. The 1989 Canada Games experience is one of the most memorable in my entire sports career. It is extra special to be receiving this award while the Canada Games are being staged in Niagara where my whole tennis career started.”
The now 51-year-old Strange boxed for Team Ontario at the 1987 Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He is a three-time Olympian, a double gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games and an 11-time Canadian amateur boxing champion. A community leader and motivational speaker, Strange has helped found charities like the BoxRun Charitable Foundation to raise funds in support of childhood cancer research.
“I am so humbled to be part of the Canada Games Hall of Honour and to be included with so many amazing athletes from past Canada Games,” Strange said.
“I really believe the power of sport allows you to gain experiences that will not only help you on the field but, more importantly, after your athletic career in everyday life.”
Don Goodwin, a native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, was an instrumental figure in the early days of the Canada Games. A long-time sports broadcaster with the CBC and a passionate advocate for Canadian amateur sport, he played an active role in getting the inaugural Canada Games off the ground in 1967.
He later persuaded the CBC to broadcast the first Canada Summer Games in 1969 on both television and radio in both official languages, providing national exposure for young Canadian athletes. A tireless volunteer, Goodwin also served in chef de mission roles for Canada at the 1972 and 1974 Olympic Games. He passed away in 2018.
“Don was first and foremost a broadcaster, but he had a deep and abiding passion for sport and recreation, and he was an extremely proud Canadian,” said Rosemary Goodwin of her late husband.
“For him, the Canada Games were a way forward for nation-building, as well as for developing each province’s sport and recreation infrastructure. Making the 1969 Summer Games a success was imperative, and he put everything he had on the line to bring that about. His family is delighted to see Don’s contributions recognized with this profound honour from the Canada Games Council. Thank you.”
The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games begins Saturday and runs until Aug. 21 across multiple venues around the region. For more information visit https://niagara2022games.ca/.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
