Salmon Arm Minor Hockey had the honour of recognizing two of their own as recipients of regional awards.
Presented by Okanagan-Mainline Hockey Association (OMAHA) chair Tim Giandomenico at the organization’s annual general meeting on Saturday, May 25, one of the awards, the Nonie Miyazaki Volunteer of the Year award, went to Cindy Cameron Cherry for the 2023-24 season.
Cherry has volunteered with SAMHA for the past several years, and has served as a team manager, division manager, Director of Hockey Jr. Divisions and was the Provincial Tournament chairperson for the U13 T2 and U15 T2 championships held in Salmon Arm. She begins another volunteer term this year as Director of Senior Divisions.
Asked what makes her step up every year and contribute her time so tirelessly, Cherry said it’s all about the kids.
“Honestly, kids are why I volunteer,” said Cherry in a SAMHA media release. “Everything we do in our association is to keep the kids on the ice and having fun.”
Asked about her experience chairing two successful provincials, Cherry again focused on the kids.
“We want the kids to have a good time,” said Cherry. “The volunteers from our host teams that stepped up put a heck of lot of time and energy into these events. Nothing happens in minor hockey without volunteers!”
In the media release, SAMHA noted even when Cherry’s husband was involved in a serious car accident, “somehow she found the time to look after her husband, get her son Austin to practices and games and ensured the show must go on.”
“The Nonie Miyazaki Award is a very prestigious award, named after the longtime volunteer who served close to 40 years as registrar for OMAHA/BC Hockey. She stepped down this year due to health reasons,” explained SAMHA.
The John Boscha Award for most valuable player was presented to Eli Eklund of the Salmon Arm Northern Plastics U18 Tier 2 team, coached by James Inglis.
Eli was named as the most valuable player in the OMAHA U18 T2 division – quite an honour, said SAMHA, as the players from all the U18 T2 teams in the Okanagan vote for the MVP player of the year.
Eklund said it was a great compliment and a privilege to receive the John Boscha Award, thanking all his coaches and his teammates who made it possible. He gave special thanks to his parents and all of the parents who volunteered countless hours to make each year so special. Eklund also thanked Sheena Braun of Sicamous who made all the team dinners so memorable.
The former captain now moves on from minor hockey to pursue his post graduate studies and hopefully continue playing hockey.
John Boscha was a former Senior A hockey player and long time volunteer in the Penticton area. He starred with the Penticton Vees Senior A team back in the Allan Cup era, explained SAMHA.
For more information, visit salmonarmminorhockey.com.
Read more: Salmon Arm hockey enthusiasts recognized by regional association
Read more: Outstanding Salmon Arm Minor Hockey volunteer honoured by BC Hockey
