Written By Jeffrey Reed
Middlesex County sports fans are fortunate to have scores of local heroes at every level of competition. For one Strathroy-Caradoc youngster, a Jr. B Rockets or Jr. C Bulldogs star may be bigger in stature than Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
In fact, many sports heroes go unnoticed by most of us. Anyone – any age, any ability – can inspire us with their courage on and off the playing field. As a disabled athlete given no chance to play any sport, I beat the odds – at age 39 – and pitched and coached with the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League. Later, I became a golf teaching pro and Staff Advisor with Wilson Golf.
In 2015, my wife, Beth, and I established the Jeffrey Reed Courage Award, presented by LondonOntarioSports.com, so that I may use my story to inspire others, and in turn provide a forum for all Courage Award winners to inspire countless others with their own stories.
Nominations for the 10th annual Courage Award are now open to Middlesex County athletes. Each athlete writes a 750-word essay on their courage on and off the field. The winner receives $1,000, a commemorative plaque, an award ceremony and, most importantly, an opportunity to inspire others.
This year, para soccer player Nick Heffernan captured the 9th annual Courage Award. Heffernan is a fullback who first appeared on the international pitch in 2014 and who has competed for Team Canada. The former St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School and Fanshawe College student was born with Cerebral Palsy. His right hand and right leg are partially paralyzed. And in 2015, he was diagnosed with Epilepsy.
Yet Heffernan is a source of inspiration, thanks to his courage, his determination and his unselfish mentoring of others who struggle with physical and mental challenges.
“My ability to overcome numerous obstacles, and to live the best life I can live while doing the things I love, is what defines me,” explained Heffernan. “When I read about all that Jeffrey Reed has accomplished despite his challenges, and all of the accomplishments of previous Courage Award winners, it is an honour to receive this award and to be able to inspire others through the award.”
In 2020, former Jr. C Lucan Irish goaltender Preston Swan-Merrison captured the Heart Award. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9, Swan-Merrison is a former football and hockey player with the Jr. Mustangs, a Jr. Knights hockey graduate and a former backup netminder with the Jr. B Chatham Maroons.
“Diabetes has made me a stronger person,” said Swan-Merrison, “and the Courage Award is everything I believe in. I have never stopped following my dreams, even when I felt like quitting was the only answer. Instead, I have been able to give back and find strength in others.”
Do you inspire others with your courage? Visit LondonOntarioSports.com and nominate yourself for the Courage Award. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be a hero to a local youngster. Nominations close Nov. 30.
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex
County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
