Melissa Simone recognized with Sports Award
Richmond Hill’s Sports Awards celebration is an annual event that honours athletes and coaches who have achieved and promoted athletic excellence and development in sports. This year, Melissa Simone, captain of the U19AA Lightning was recognized for her athletic achievements in ringette. Presented by Deputy Mayor, Vito Spatofora at the Oak Ridges Community Centre on Tuesday, March 18th, 2014; Melissa was one of only three recipients to receive such recognition.
Melissa is one of the most offensively gifted players to ever wear the Lightning jersey. She is an exceptional player who couples those raw skills with strong leadership qualities every time she steps on the ice. She is both humble in her talents and well-liked and respected by her teammates. Her loyalty to her teammates, her team and the Richmond Hill Ringette Association is unprecedented.
Building on an already impressive resume that includes leading Lightning teams to Provincial gold at both the U14A and U16A level; Melissa racked up an incredible 27 points at this year’s Provincial AA finals, and was a key reason for the teams’ bronze medal performance which earned the team a spot at the Canadian Ringette Championships in Regina, Saskatchewan this April. In addition, Melissa was one of the captains of the U19AAA Southern Region team. In the three AAA Challenge Cup series leading up to the Ontario Winter Games, Melissa consistently placed in the top 10 in scoring, finishing first in Sudbury with 20 points (15 goals) and leading the team to a Challenge Cup victory.
Other accomplishments this year include:
> AA – Nepean Tournament – second in scoring - 17 points (most goals)
> AA – St. Mary’s Tournament – Top 10 finish – 13 points
> AA – Waterloo Tournament – first in scoring – 17 points
> AAA – Western Challenge Cup – second in scoring – 19 points (most goals 12)
> AAA – Ontario Winter Games – Top 10 finish – 13 points
U19AA Head Coach, Colette Craig, says “I would be so bold as to say, that Melissa is the best player at the U19AA level in Ontario. I continue to be in awe of what she is able to accomplish and I can only say that I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching her and highly value her contribution to the team.” This is mighty praise indeed given that Colette has played at the AA and AAA levels herself, medalling 6 times for Manitoba at the Canadian Ringette Championships, with two all-star selections.
Congratulations Melissa on your outstanding achievements and for being recognized by the Town of Richmond Hill for your athletic excellence and development in sports.
