The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge in this Honourable House two gentlemen who recently passed away, both of whom recorded impressive achievements and made exceptional contributions to sport in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Enshrined in the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame, the Provincial athletics Hall of Fame, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame, Ben Dunne was an integral member of our provincial sporting community for over 50 years.

A contributor as an athlete, a coach and a builder, Mr. Dunne was known mostly for his impressive list of competitions within athletics and on the soccer pitch. From winning the Tely Ten in 1973, to participating in the prestigious Boston Marathon several times, he coached at the 1988 world junior track and field championship, as well as Canada Games and provincial games. On the soccer pitch, he led multiple teams, including the 2002 and 2005 squads at the national Jubilee Trophy women’s championships, and the provincial entry at the 1993 Canada Summer Games.

Mr. Speaker, another pillar of provincial sports who recently passed was Dave Barrett.

In the days when top athletes typically played a couple of sports, Dave Barrett excelled in two sports during the winter, and two sports in the summer. An all-round athlete who thrived in the sport of track and field, he led St. Bon’s to three overall championships, medaling in shot put, discus, javelin, high jump and relay. In his brief tenure on the soccer pitch, he earned an MVP award and played with the St. John’s All Stars. Mr. Barrett also had great success on the ice with his beloved St. Bon’s, where his squad won the Boyle Trophy five of the six years he played hockey.

But Mr. Speaker, it was on the hardwood where Mr. Barrett’s star shone brightest. Winner of numerous city league MVP awards and scoring titles, he was inducted as an original member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Honourable members to join me in acknowledging Ben Dunne and Dave Barrett, two pillars in our provincial sporting community. Thank you.