BREAKING NEWS: Province Honors Athletic Excellence: Team Gushue Named 2024/ 2025 Team of the Year
The City of St. John’s recently celebrated its vibrant sports community by presenting the 2024 Applause Awards at a gala held at the St. John’s Convention Centre. Among the distinguished honorees, Team Gushue was recognized as the 2023 Team of the Year, a testament to their exceptional achievements in the world of curling.
Skip Brad Gushue and his team—third Mark Nichols, second E.J. Harnden, and lead Geoff Walker—have consistently demonstrated excellence on the ice. Their remarkable season culminated in securing their sixth national title at the 2024 Montana’s Brier, held in Regina, Saskatchewan. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Gushue, making him the first skip to lead teams to six national championships, but also placed him alongside Randy Ferbey as the only players to achieve six Brier titles.
Following their national triumph, Team Gushue represented Canada at the 2024 World Men’s Curling Championship in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where they earned a silver medal. Their international success further solidified their reputation as a dominant force in the curling world.
In addition to their world championship performance, the team concluded their season with a victory at the Princess Auto Players’ Championship in Toronto, defeating Italy 7-6 to claim their 15th Grand Slam title. This win marked their first Players’ Championship title since 2016, capping off a season filled with remarkable accomplishments.
The Applause Awards gala also honored other outstanding individuals and groups within the community. Kate Bazeley was named the Female Athlete of the Year, recognized for her achievements in athletics, while James Clarke received the Male Athlete of the Year award for his contributions to rugby. Dr. Steven Wolinetz was honored as the Senior of the Year, and Alexis MacDonald and Sheza Chowdhury were acknowledged as the Junior and Senior Youth of the Year, respectively.
Mayor Danny Breen expressed pride in the diverse talents within the community, stating, “The City is proud to honour the remarkable contributions of our community with a range of awards, spotlighting excellence of individuals, groups and organizations.” He extended congratulations to all nominees and recipients, emphasizing the lasting impact they have made.
As Team Gushue continues to build on their legacy, the recognition at the Applause Awards serves as a reminder of their dedication, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of excellence that defines them. Their achievements not only bring pride to St. John’s but also inspire future generations to pursue greatness in their respective fields.
