Page 6 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 6

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Ron Belmore: Always Something to Give

By Terry Tinkess

Ron Belmore has been a hockey
volunteer for much longer that he
would care to remember. That in itself
is not surprising; he loves sports, he
loves working with kids and he’s
not afraid to get involved. What is
surprising is that it took so long for
his efforts to get recognized.

Belmore is a winner of an award
given to those who go above and
beyond in their efforts to further the
success of minor sports. The award,
correctly titled ODMHA Volunteer
Award-District Two, could be given
for efforts in any segment of the
game. In Belmore’s case it is from his

efforts as a coach and as an official. Ron Belmore is one of the people who stay in the background, preferring to allow the spotlight to shine on
He has done one, he has done the the young people who play the game. His efforts, however, have made a difference for many young local
hockey players. Photo by Terry Tinkess
other and he has done both at the
same time.
hockey, but he was “encouraged” by a volunteer perspective, as it once “I’m not saying that as a coach or a
“I had taken the year off from his wife, Joanne. “I don’t know if I was, Belmore has no hesitation in volunteer, we’re always right, that’s
coaching and I got involved on knew any more than any other parent, answering “No, not at all.” not what I’m trying to say, but in the
District Two’s board as the coach but I jumped in,” says Belmore. “It’s not that the people are old times the coach had some kind of
mentor,” says Belmore. “I did that for There is an army of young men who vindictive or anything,” says authority. Not today, not as much.”
a year, but then I missed the refereeing are extremely happy that he did. Belmore. “It’s hard to explain, but Still, Belmore enjoys the game,
aspect of it. You see I had been the
“I did have some experience,” says sometimes it seems that people are watching over the years as the
referee-in-chief for Cornwall, but
Belmore. “I helped coach the college just in it for the wrong reasons. I used children that can hardly stand up
I got out of that position because I
team when Bill Snelgrove was the to walk away from the rink and feel grow and learn to enjoy the game as
decided to pursue coaching. This

coach. “It was a lot simpler back then good, and I still do, but I just find it is much as those who try to share it’s
year Perry Guindon stepped down,
too. You show up at the rink, and the hard to be a volunteer because there magic with them.
and he approached me, and somehow
organizer, I think it was Mr. Wilkes at is so much red tape and there is so Is it hard to stay away from the
convinced me to come back in as
the time, he says “You guys want to much involvement, and so much can game? “Oh, it is,” says Belmore, “I
the referee-in-chief of the Cornwall
coach? Here’s a list, go coach.” go wrong with a volunteer. love the game a lot.”
Minor Hockey Association. When
“Refereeing as well, you showed
I did that, I left the coach mentor
up at the rink, they gave you a whistle
position I had held with the district.”
and a sweater and when it was over
Belmore started out as a referee Sports Energy
you got a hot dog and a drink!”
before he became a coach. When he
Over the years Belmore has
will give up that role is anyone’s guess,
accumulated a lot of memories, but Greater Cornwall & Area Community Sports Newspaper
but to this point he has officiated in

there are two of them that always rise
his teens, twenty’s, thirty’s, forty’s, Is a Publication of:
to the top. The first was being able to

and fifties. “As I said to my wife, the Editorial: Terry Tinkess, hometeammedia@gmail.com

officiate along side his two sons, the
game’s getting faster, the kids are Graphic Design: Lynn Dillabough, freestyle@xplornet.com
second, officiating the Hall of Fame Business Development/Advertising: Mike Piquette,

getting bigger and now the puck hurts
game with Eddie Shack. mike@sportsenergynews.com or 613-662-3654
when it hits me,” says Belmore. “In
Sports Energy is a monthly publication covering the Greater
the old days it didn’t matter but three “That was more special for my dad,
Cornwall Area. Our goal is to offer a quality, informative and
years ago I was doing a peewee game because he was a great Eddie Shack enjoyable newspaper and website to our readership, focusing
and I got drilled in the side of the fan,” says Belmore, “but refereeing on the accomplishments of the many gifted athletes and sports
ankle and I went home and it felt like the two games with my two boys in organizations in our area. The opinions and statements of our writers
the end of the world was coming.” Long Sault, that was a very special and columnists are not necessarily the opinion of Sports Energy.
night and it was neat that I was able Sports Energy is always on the lookout for positive sports stories.
Coaching, on the other hand, If you have a story you feel is worthwhile sharing, please email to
to achieve that.”
wasn’t something Belmore had in info@sportsenergynews.com. All suggestions will be considered
mind when his two boys, Glenn When asked whether he thinks but not necessarily printed.
and Mike first became involved in the game is as much fun now, from Visit us on the web at: www.sportsenergynews.com