Volunteers

Our Stanley Park Optimist Volunteers

The KSA Volunteer Recognition Program provided local minor sports groups the opportunity to have one of their key volunteers publicly recognized each year. 2018 was the 30th award ceremony!

Stanley Park Optimist table at the 2018 Awards Dinner Photo: The Stanley Park Optimist Ball group at the KSA Volunteer dinner. (Nov. 27, 2018)

While we were there (at the Edelweiss) to recognize the contributions of Ken Wettlaufer (absent from the group photo) to our Ball Program, KSA took the opportunity to recognize our very own Rick Waud (standing at back, 3rd from left) for his years of involvement with the KSA 50/50 draws held at Kitchener Rangers home games at Kitchener Auditorium.

KSA Volunteer of The Year Recipients for Stanley Park Optimist Ball

Over the years we've been fortunate to have numerous individuals stand out by providing extra help - well beyond any normal "call of duty." These volunteers represent the hundreds of others that our Ball Program required to run. Thanks to ALL our volunteers! Cleck here to view photos of our volunteer award recipients.

2024 Mark Onishke: Mark joined the Club shortly after moving into the area in early 2000's but didn't really hit the diamonds until 2013 when his son started playing T-Ball and Mark started his coaching career. When his daughter started play the following year, Mark became involved with coaching two teams for several years and helped supervise other games when he had a free evening. It's the friendships that evolved that Mark cherishes. Mark notes that seeing the kids that were involved in the league now being responsible and giving back to the game is rewarding and he appreciates it when they acknowledge him. We're all doing that now! Thanks Mark!

2023 Gerald & Cheryl DeGraaf
2022 Ken Mielke
(2021 and 2020 were "Covid years" and essentially all activities were cancelled so there were no programs and no awards.)
2019 April LeBlanc: As head of the Umpiring component of our ball program, April helps recruit, train and supervise a team of 30+ umpires and scorekeepers. Her dedication to this Optimist youth development program and her one-on-one involvement with the kids has made it so successful that we now have more applicants to umpire than we have positions! Over the years, April has also volunteered with her sons's teams in various capacities including sportsmanship manager, scorekeeper, coaching assistant and chief cheerleader. Getting 65 bags of equipment ready for next season? April is with us! We also thank her, and her family recruits, for their generous donations of gently used equipment. April truly ensures everyone gets to play, play safely and enjoy the experience --- and that includes our umpires! From all of us, Thanks!

2018 Ken Wettlaufer: Ken began his coaching career with us when his daughter reached Junior T-Ball age in 1995. He refined his coaching skills with her in Senior T-Ball and Girls’ 3-Pitch before moving on to coach with her in KMGSA. Several years ago, we welcomed Ken back to help supervise our games and work with our umpire crew. He has also worked our registration sessions in the spring and equipment sorting in the fall. Team coaches appreciate his guidance and calming influence. Ken’s value to our program increases each year !

2017 Joe Watson: A Club member since 1986, Joe's first major conribution was organizing a wrap-up celebration when the Club took on running the neighbourhood T-Ball program. The event, “Hot Dog Day,” became an annual one expanding as ball registrations grew. Joe was very much hands-on: he trucked supplies to & from the site, helped erect the tents, sorted equipment and often used his electrical expertise. A 30+ year executive member, Joe often works behind the scene — we can count on him!.
2016 Amanda Ducey: Amanda has enhanced her coaching skills and reputation over the past 8 years as her children progressed through our T-Ball leagues. Her players, pretty much a solid core throughout the years, have certainly benefited under her guidance as shown by their recent trophy collection. Over the past four seasons, her teams won the Junior 3-Pitch Consolation and Championship and then the Senior 3-Pitch Consolation and Championship. But more importantly, as proven by the number of requests to be on her team each year, her players always have a lot of fun, largely due to the attitude, dedication and efforts of Mandy and her assistants. Her teams BBQ's, parties, and lots and lots of practices, have helped to make this a really tight knit group that comes to every event ready to live the moment and enjoy the experience. Mandy provides individual encouragement and interacts with her players to the point that, more than a coach, she is truly one of the team. Mandy exemplifies the definition of a role model.

2015 Gail & Mike MacKenzie: Mike and Gail, between them, have over 10 years of coaching and managing experience with our T-Ball and 3-Pitch leagues. While Mike's involvement has been mostly as a Head Coach, Gail has been the mainstay of our Sportsmanship initiative. Both have been tremendously positive influences in helping improve our progran. Whether sorting the equipment, fine tuning the rules, or motivating and developing their players' skills, they haven't been just team leaders, they are proven championship material. Every organization has room for them!
2014 Kurt Munz: Kurt was involved with our T-Ball leagues in the early 1990s when his four children were growing up. During those years, he served as a coach, scorekeeper, assistant or helper, i.e. whatever any particular team needed. Subsequently, he moved on with his children as they got involved in other sports and activities but resurfaced in 2009 when he signed on as an assistant coach to help a new coach. Over the next3 years, Kurt helped in many areas, the main one being our "Stats Man". He not only tracked the hits but also stepped in with hitting tips, coaching advice and guidance on sportsmanship. A positive influence!
2013 Ruth & Paul Reitzel: Ruth and Paul have been involved as coaches with one, or more, teams since the turn of the century. Win or lose, the players on their teams always have lots of fun. They have become known for holding lots of practices, developing the talent of their teams to the fullest, and creating great, lasting relationships with their players. On game days, rain or shine, a "Reitzel Team" can be counted upon to show up early, be warmed up and ready to play. As an added bonus, Ruth and Paul also helped with diamond preparation, sorted equipment and much more to be determined!
2012 John Harvey: John has been coaching since his daughter started playing 6 years ago. For the past several seasons, he has helped coach other teams along with friends he has made within the organization. It is not just the games that keep John busy; he is known for running several practices for each team each week and ensuring that his players have lots of fun, both on and off the field. Each year there are more and more requests from parents to have their child play on one of John's teams. John also helped at our registration sessions and equipment sorting days. Now, with backing from the Club, he initiated hosting monthly youth dances.
2011 Phil Munz: We first met Phil as a player when he began helping his dad coach and then signed on to umpire as well. He left for a few years while attending university, but now that he's back in town working, he's back with us as well pitching in to help wherever he can. There is nothing like having someone around who has been through it all to know what needs to be done and Philip sees opportunity everywhere! Registration, coaches clinics, umpire training, game supervision of all leagues; he was busy almost every night of the week (and Saturday mornings) last year! Next year is wide open!

2010 John & Leticia Sherritt: John and Leticia have been coaching at least one team in either, Blastball, Junior T-Ball or Senior T-Ball each year since 2006. With three young children, and multiple teams involved, the Sherritts often split up and took on a team or two each almost every night of the week. Weekends were the only time open for practices and the Sherritts had lots of them including team outings to things like the Panther games. The numerous requests to be on a “Sherritt” team attest to this couple’s commitment and genuine interest in developing not only the skills but also the character of each player on their teams. They go out of their way to be helpful and lead by example. As attested by the award presentation made by Boyd Nairn, one of the program’s Supervisors, and Leah Nairn, who umpired many of the Sherritts’ games, if we gave awards for Sportsmanship they'd be theirs! Truly a pleasure.
2009 Dan Reid: Dan has been with our ball program for many years; ever since he signed on as an assistant coach when his daughter started playing. More recently he has: helped train and supervise our umpiring crew, helped look after the equipment, helped at photo days, promoted sportsmanship as a supervisor at the games and, for the last several years, has served as a league convenor. In short, he's been doing everything to keep our leagues running smoothly but we still need him!
2008 Bruce Lowery: Bruce has coached and/or assisted in at least one, and often several, of our leagues each season since he first volunteered with us in 1998. Overall, he has coached teams in every one of our leagues! In addition, Bruce has assisted at our coaches' clinics as well as being a positive mentor to other coaches and our umpiring crew throughout each season. For the past several years, we have not been able to honour all the requests from parents wishing to have their children placed on teams coached by Bruce. Bruce is a true promoter of "Good Sportsmanship".
2007 Boyd, Karen, Leah & Dayna Nairn:

2006 Tim Trottier
2005 & 2004 (no awards by Stanley Park Optimist Ball)
2003 Owen Tabbert
2002 Richard Robertson
2001 Daniel Sheppard
2000 Mike Baird
1999 Craig Findlay
1998 Jim Weiler
1997 Mike Stanley
1996 Peter Hoffman
1995 Jeff May
1994 Gord Dearborn
1993 Mike Vandepas
1992 Rick Waud
1991 George Schuster
1990 (no award by Stanley Park Optimist T-Ball)
1989 Ernie Parker