Napanee’s success as a sports community can be traced to many things; top-notch facilities like the Richard Dickson and Robert Paul diamonds, a community full of dedicated athletes, and volunteers willing to help the town host major events, such as the Under-23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championships.
It can also be traced to the Richard Dickson & Terry Gray Sports Association of Greater Napanee, a group of volunteers who work to honour the legacy of the two local community sports leaders to raise funds to maintain local facilities, and allow local athletes to purse their goals.
The association was created n 2006 and has since raised about $50,000 for local causes, said Mike Airhart, one of about 12 directors, and the son of the association’s chairperson Chuck Airhart.
There are three primary mandates for the organization: to plan construction and renovations to new and upgraded sports facilities; to award grants, bursaries and scholarships to local athletes pursing post-secondary education and, thirdly, to fund individual athletes and teams who have qualified to compete at elite levels.
And those involved with the organization work to ensure the money raised doesn’t sit in a bank account for long.
“Everybody who has been involved has said “we don’t want money sitting in there,'” Airhart said. “They said, ‘we want the money spent.'”
Much of the association’s money comes from an annual golf tournament it hosts. This year’s event takes place Friday, Aug. 19, at the Napanee Golf and Country Club. Those who pay the $100 fee will receive a round of golf with a cart, lunch, dinner at the Royal Coachmen and the opportunity to win prizes.
Airhart said the association hopes to be involved with future upgrades to the Richard Dickson and Robert Paul diamonds, following the Under 23 Men’s Fast Pitch championships, which take place Aug. 8 to 14. Click here for the complete news story.