Softball Volunteers Ron Hawthorne and Bette Kalailleff Celebrated at Ontario Sport Awards

April 23, 2012

TORONTO, ON - Ontario honoured some of the top athletes, coaches and volunteers in amateur sport in 2011 on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the 45th Ontario Sport Awards.  The Ontario Sport Awards recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Ontario’s athletes, coaches, volunteers and the corporate community.  Softball Ontario would like to congratulate two (2) exceptional softball volunteers who were among the winners:

The Syl Apps Volunteer Achievement Award recognizes Ontario volunteers who contribute to sport development in the province.  Award Winners are individuals who have made significant strides in promoting their sport, had a history of involvement in their sport as an athlete, coach, official or administrator, and have helped to build or develop their sport.  

Ron has been a volunteer with Slo-Pitch Ontario since 1989, just a few years after Slo-Pitch Ontario’s inception in 1983.  He became a Zone Director in 2003 for Zone 8 and was elected President of Slo-Pitch Ontario in 2004, a position he held until 2007, and returned to in 2010.

He also ran the Kanata Slo-Pitch League for almost 14 years.  As a volunteer, Board Member and President of Slo-Pitch Ontario, Ron oversaw significant changes to the sport of slo-pitch over these many years.

Ron served as a Board Member of Softball Ontario starting in 1993, and served as Chairman from 2007 to 2010.  

The Rolf Lund Jule Nisse Award is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding “playground to podium” commitment to sport.  

Bette Kalailleff made her first impact on the Ontario sport scene when she began coaching the girls’ softball team in her hometown of Port Colborne. In 1958, Bette formed the Port Colborne Comettes Senior Ladies Fastball Club where she was team manager for 39 years and coach for 20 years.

Bette joined the Provincial Women’s Softball Association Board of Directors in 1962 and served in roles of increasing responsibility, first as Treasurer, then 1st Vice-President. In 1975 she became and remained President for 11 years. To this day she continues to serve on the Board and volunteers as Vice-President.

One of Softball Ontario’s forming members, Bette served on the Board of Directors and/or Executive Council from 1971-1992. She was instrumental in bringing the male, female and rural softball associations together in order to form one association. Bette retired temporarily from Softball Ontario in 1992, but returned to the Board in 1998 and again in 2006, where she continues to serve as one of Softball Ontario’s Directors.

Bette served as Ontario’s Commissioner for Softball Canada from 1977-1985 and was elected Vice President for Softball Canada’s Board of Directors in 1985. Bette held many positions during her years at Softball Canada including: Chairman of the Officiating Committee; Supervisor of numerous Canadian Championships; and, National Team Leader in 1997.

In 1962 Bette was the first and only woman to be appointed to the Port Colborne Recreation Commission. In 1973 Bette formed the Port Colborne Sports Council steering committee and served as secretary in its inaugural year. Bette also formed and managed the Port Colborne Ladies Basketball Club from 1957-78. In 1988 Bette’s service to Softball in Canada was recognized when she was inducted into Softball Canada’s Hall of Fame in the Builder’s Category.