Alison Purkiss Named Brantford 2020 Sportsperson of the Year

In a year that saw sport take on a different approach, what remained the same was the dedication and passion of those who are involved in it. And a very special member of our community has been recognized for their unwavering belief in shaping the lives of so many in their sport.

Alison Purkiss of the Brant Skating Club is the recipient of the Frank Tomlin Memorial Award as the 2020 Sports Person of the Year for her significant contribution to sport in Brantford and area. The award is traditionally awarded during the Brantford Sports Council Annual Award Recognition Banquet. However, as they were unable to gather for the event this year, Alison was presented her award during an in-studio video presentation and is now available to view.

Alison has been involved in almost every aspect of the sport of figure skating. Her early years started in Brantford as a competitor with the Brant Skating Club. An injury put her into early retirement as a teenager, but she continued on as a skate choreographer in university and then transitioned to television broadcasts of international figure skating events. In 2006, she began her coaching career as a full-time coach and choreographer during which she earned her national level coaching certification with Skate Canada. In 2017 Alison returned to her hometown to coach with the Brant Skating Club. Alison has not only made her mark in Brantford, but around the world.

Learn more about Alison’s incredible career and contribution to figure skating on the Brantford Sports Council website.

Congratulations Alison on a job well done. Looking forward to many more years of great inspiration.

#BrantfordTogether

The Frank Tomlin Award is sponsored by the Brantford Bisons Alumni and has been presented annually since its inception in 1976 to a recipient who has contributed significantly to sport in Brantford and area.

Alison now joins an impressive group of people from Brantford and area who have made an incredible contribution to sport. Here are the past recipients:

2019 JACQUELINE LEGERE – Downhill Ice Cross Skating
2018 ZAC DALPE – Hockey
2017 AARON CARPENTER – Rugby
2016 KRISTA DUCHENE – Track & Field
2015 DAVID HEARN – Golf
2014 JOHNNY POWLESS – Lacrosse
2013 KRISTA DUCHENE – Track & Field
2012 ADAM HENRIQUE- Hockey
2011 AARON CARPENTER – Rugby
2010 PAUL AUCOIN – Baseball
2009 JENNIFER KIRBY – Golf
2008 PETER HAM – Hockey
2007 MIKE BERES – Badminton
2006 NICK KACZUR – Football
2005 CINDY EADIE – Softball & Hockey
2004 DAVID HEARN – Golf
2003 NATASHA FILLIOL – Triathalon
2002 JORDAN SZOKE – Motorcycling Road Racing
2001 DENNIS KINGS – Contribution to Basketball
2000 KEVIN SULLIVAN – Track & Field
1999 PAT SHEWCHUK – Sports Promotion
1998 TED DECOTEAU – Overall Contribution

1997 WALTER GRETZKY – Overall Contribution
1996 JULIE HOWARD – Swimming
1995 PAUL POLLILO – Hockey
1994 ROGER DAVIS – Overall Contribution
1993 KEVIN SULLIVAN – Track & Field
1992 JULIE HOWARD – Swimming
1991 BETH RICHARDSON – Badminton
1990 BOB & LAUREL BARNES – Baseball & Hockey
1989 LYDIA VAMOS – Soccer
1988 KEVIN SULLIVAN – Track & Field
1987 STEVE BROWN – Games for Disabled
1986 EDITH HAYMAN – Badminton
1985 RICK MANNEN – Long Distance Running
1984 TED WEIRDA – Baseball & Basketball
1983 FRANK BRICKER – Boxing
1982 WAYNE GRETZKY – Hockey
1981 DAVE CHEETHAM – Baseball
1980 LIZ POLYAK – Track & Field
1979 WAYNE GRETZKY – Hockey
1978 GARY SUMMERHAYS – Boxing
1977 WALLY KALICHUK – Hockey
1976 BILL MOFFAT – Baseball