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Board of Directors

2024 Executive Committee

Helen Downey

Helen Downey

President

Member of the SH Board since 2000, President since 2010. Retired physed dept head and athletic director with HWCDSB. Multi-sport coach T&F, VB, BB, Gymnastics, soccer. Numerous coaching awards, NCCP certifications and Learning Facilitator for various Physical Literacy programs and sports. Enjoys hiking and cycling and playing with my 5 grandchildren.

General Inquiries: info@sporthamilton.com


Ed Valtenbergs

Ed Valtenbergs

First Vice-President

Ed has an experienced sports & volunteer background. He has an education in sport marketing, worked in the sports industry and been a Board member for HECFI, the CFHOF and current Mgr. for the HTCAA. He has also volunteered as a coach in the community. He was also an escort for the Grey Cup trophy!


Lisa Henry

Lisa Henry

Second Vice-President

Lisa is born and raised in Hamilton. For over 20 years, she has been a Physical Education teacher with the HWDSB. Lisa has been involved in sports her entire life as an athlete, coach, teacher, and parent. She has a Physical Education degree from McMaster University and has a passion for life-long activity.


Dave Strecker

Dave Strecker

Treasurer

Hamilton born and raised. Grew up in a multi-sport neighborhood. Accomplished teacher, athlete and coach. NCCP and Basketball referee certifications. Coaching awards and championships from local, provincial and international levels. It's an honor and privilege to contribute back to our community through Sport Hamilton.


Dr. Andrew Peters

Dr. Andrew Peters

Member-at-Large

As the original founding partner of what eventually became the Rising Stars group of companies, Dr. Peters has been instrumental in the continued expansion and reach of positive youth sport,  community development programs and special projects both on and off Reserve.


Dave Rashford

Dave Rashford

Member-at-Large

I have been fortunate enough to be involved in sports my entire life. I participated in football, basketball and hockey. I later coached in football and basketball. I was a sports reporter for the Spectator and CP. I also worked at TSN before I was named the Director of Communications at Sportsnet.

2024 Board of Directors

Marcello Campanaro

Marcello Campanaro

Board of Director


Dan Cialini

Dan Cialini

Board of Director

Dan played club football, basketball, and soccer throughout Hamilton before graduating with an Honours Kinesiology degree and obtaining his Bachelor of Education. He went on to further educate himself with a Sports Marketing certificate, and was part of the George Brown Huskies 2019 OCAA Gold Medal coaching staff. He continues his work in the Hamilton community as a teacher and volunteers his time as a school coach in football and basketball.


Bernard DuBois

Bernard DuBois

Board of Director

A retired French Teacher and a former volleyball coach during his teaching time. He has been actively involved in Track and Field as a parent, a coach and also as an Official. Currently one of the coaches for the power sprinters/hurdlelers and horizontal jumpers at Hamilton Olympic Club, where he has been since 2012.  As an Official, he has officiated in his community in the regional, as well as, at the provincial, national and international levels. Bernard has been a Board member of SportHamilton for over 4 years and truly enjoys the Board activities.


Kevin Duffy

Kevin Duffy

Board of Director

I have worked as a teacher for 29 years, organized camps, tournaments and clinics for the past 25, coached Hamilton Teams at the International Children's Games 3 times, Coached Women's Basketball at Mohawk College for 10 years, and was a Canusa Games Coach/Coordinator for 14 years.


Jim Galvin

Jim Galvin

Board of Director

As an active volunteer and coach since the 1970s, Jim has dedicated his years to youth growth in sport and life. Currently volunteers at the DeMazenod Door, an inner-city Outreach program.


Elizabeth Trabucco

Elizabeth Trabucco

Board of Director

Volunteer at East Hamilton Soccer club running the Little Paws program.  Coordinated the Arcelor Mittal Dofasco Hamilton Grassroots soccer when it first started.  Volunteered at the PanAm Games as well as all the sporting events at Tim Hortons Field.  Been playing soccer for over 40 years.


Cameron Laufman

Cameron Laufman

Board of Director

Brock University degree in PhysEd with a Mohawk College diploma in Therapeutic Recreation. Currently working as a Therapeutic Recreation Programmer at AbleLiving in Binbrook. Advocate for inclusion and diversity within recreation, leisure and sport. Passion for physical fitness & wellness.


Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy

Board of Director

Mike brings his administrative skills and enthusiasm for sport to SportHamilton with an extensive football background. Mike has spent the majority of his time in the CFL serving multiple roles including President, CEO, VP of football operations, GM, Director of player personnel, Head of football operations with Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argos, Ottawa Rough Riders, BC Lion, and Montreal Alouettes. Mike has won 5 Grey Cups and participated in 9 Grey Cups.  Mike currently continues to serve as a CFL and NFL scout.



Alexandra Petermann

Alexandra Petermann

Board of Director

Alex played soccer, basketball, and volleyball and is a world flag football champion. She anticipates being called to the bar by the end of the year and will commence her legal practice in Hamilton. She looks forward to re-engaging with various sports programs as a coach and volunteer.

Val Sarjeant

Val Sarjeant

Board of Director



Maria Suriani

Maria Suriani

Board of Director

Proud Hamiltonian with a passion for sport and giving back to the community. Experience working in professional sports as well as at the PSO level. Currently the Director of Operations and Community Engagement for the Scarborough Shooting Stars CEBL 2023 Champions.


Honorary Board Members

Geraldine Heaney

Geraldine Heaney

Geraldine Heaney is the third of seven women hockey players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.  She was inducted into the IIAF Hall of Fame in 2008.

Geraldine is originally from North York (born in Belfast Ireland), now lives, coaches and teaches hockey in Ancaster. Geraldine coached hockey at the University of Waterloo for six years.

Geraldine won seven world hockey championships (’90,’92, ’94,’97,’99,2000, 2001) and was named the best defenseman in ‘92 and ’94.  She won Olympic gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah and Olympic silver in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Geraldine played with the Toronto Aeros Hockey Club (CWHL) and in 2004 #91 retired after winning the ESSO National title and scoring the winning goal.

SportHamilton is excited to have Geraldine as an honorary board member.


Posthumous Board Members

Doug Harrison

Doug Harrison


Shelley D'Angelo

Shelley D'Angelo

Shelley  D’Angelo has been an active and very valuable contributor to the SportHamilton board and executive committee from 2018 to 2022. Shelley was a very hard-working, generous and good-hearted person sharing her time and skills both in her job and her many volunteer roles. Throughout the years, Shelley was an active member of ArcelorMittal Dofasco Grassroots Soccer program, Stoney Creek Optimist Club, Dofasco Skating Club, Challenger Baseball Club, Saltfleet GoAhead Soccer Club, and St Francis Xavier School Council.
Thank you, Shelley. You will be missed.

Shelley passed away on January 24, 2022


Sam Hart

Sam Hart

Sam Hart has been an active member of the SH board since 2013. Sam was very passionate about local Hamilton athletes and had extensive knowledge and experience as both an athlete, coach and volunteer throughout his extraordinary life.  Sam impacted thousands of individuals as a competitive cyclist, hockey coach, swim coach, dog handler and judge.  Sam enthusiastically contributed to the Annual Sport Volunteer Appreciation awards and was also a recipient of the United Trophy Volunteer of the Year Award in 2018. 
Thank you, Sam. You will be missed.

Sam passed away on September 22, 2021. 


Dr. Gene Sutton

Dr. Gene Sutton

President, SportHamilton (2001-2009)

Dr. Sutton was a true Champion of Sport for All in the many roles she took on as a high school teacher, university and college professor, gymnastics coach, gymnastics official, Canadian Olympic Committee member, Canada Chef de Mission, Gymnastic Canada, Ontario Gymnastics, President of SportHamilton, Ontario Olympic Youth Academy, International Children’s Games etc.

Gene joined the SportHamilton Board of Directors in 2001 and became President that year until her passing on August 2, 2009.

Dr. Gene Sutton was inducted into the Hamilton Hall of Distinction 2006, Citizen of the Year 2009 the Hamilton Sports Banner Series in 2009. and passed away suddenly in 2009.

Doc was a true believer in the value and benefits of participating in high school sport. She believed that sport allowed student-athletes with a positive attitude to be challenged and to strive for excellence, to be the best they could be and they could be encouraging role models to others in the process.

It is due to the work of Dr. Gene Sutton over many years that Hamilton was named a TRUE SPORTS COMMUNITY IN CANADA.

CLICK HERE to see more information and video of Dr. Gene Sutton.


Kellie Hinnells

Kellie Hinnells

Kellie was a much valued and active member of the SportHamilton Board of Directors for many years where she was instrumental in establishing SportHamilton as an Incorporated Not for Profit sport council. Kellie, born and raised in Hamilton, was an active member of the sport community playing hockey and baseball as well as a dedicated coach and administrator of gymnastics at various clubs throughout Ontario as well as Technical Director at Gymnastics Ontario. Kellie volunteered with CANUSA, International Children’s Games, OFSAA , and PanAm Games to name a few.

Kellie passed away on April 16, 2022, at the age of 56 and will be sadly missed by all of those who knew her.