Local rec director humbled with award recognition

With files from Cooper Douglas

The Town of Unity, and the recreation department, received a couple of accolades recently, as the Unity Community Centre was named Facility of the Year by the Rivers West District, and Nicole Headrick was recognized for Professional of the Year. 

Headrick reached out to West Central Online via email and had this to say about winning the awards.

"The support has truly been so humbling. We were so excited to receive the Facility of the Year award for the Community Centre renovation! I was surprised and overwhelmed to receive Recreation Professional of the Year. We really are a team at Parks & Rec and the team deserves all the credit, without everyone we would never be successful. I feel like helping our Community and volunteering is just part of playing sports and doing our part in our Community. I am only one of many other incredible people and organizations that deserve recognition in the Town of Unity. It is truly all about the team, although I do appreciate it so much."

Another award from the recent announcement also went to a local within the district, as Marli Shepherd took home one of three Overall Volunteers of the Year awards given out for her work as manager of the U18 AA West Central Wheat Kings this year. The team manager is a very important piece to the puzzle of running a successful hockey team, and Wheat Kings head coach Pat Sperle is very thankful for their top tier organizer.

"She's done a fantastic job for us all year," shared Sperle, "It's very deserving because she puts a lot of time and energy into our organization, and maybe some other things to as well."

The Wheat Kings team is based out of Unity, and Shepherd is based out Kerrobert, just adding some more credit towards her excellent work as manager this year. Strong continuity between parent volunteers is a huge factor when it comes to running a team with kids from all around the region.

"It's nice that we get parents from all different communities chipping in to make our team successful."

Congrats to these award winners, and thank you for everything you do for your section of the west central community.