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TYNDALL VOLUNTEER RECOGNIZED BY RBC INSURANCE, HOCKEY CANADA & HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

by Hockey Manitoba  |  March 19, 2007 12:12 pm

Manitoba’s “RBC Local Hockey Leader” awarded $10,000 for hockey in his community

TORONTO, March 1, 2007 — Tyndall resident Henry Kazina, an elementary school principal who was the driving force behind converting the Garson Arena into a year-round facility, will earn special recognition in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Kazina is this year’s RBC Local Hockey Leader for Manitoba, one of 13 volunteers (one for each Hockey Canada branch) recognized today by RBC Insurance, with support from Hockey Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The winners, who will also receive a signed Team Canada jersey, were chosen from more than 1,000 nominations received from across the country.

As outlined in fellow Tyndall resident Jeff Wood’s submission essay, Kazina’s passion for hockey and the sport’s importance to community life was the driving force behind fundraising for and organizing of the Garson Arena’s transformation.

“Henry was very involved in every phase of our project – attending meetings at the local and municipal levels, making presentations to councils and organizations, completing applications for grants, and monitoring almost every phase of the installation of the artificial ice plant,” said Wood, who is the President of the Garson Arena Board of Directors. “Due to his dependability and willingness to help, Henry has been a positive role model for his students and members of the community. The conversion of the Garson Arena into a year-round facility will have a positive impact on our community for many years.”

RBC Insurance will donate $10,000 to the program in Kazina’s name. Kazina is also invited to attend a special ceremony unveiling a display honouring the 2006-07 RBC Local Hockey Leaders at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. A banner recognizing his achievement will also be raised at Kazina’s local arena.

“RBC Insurance is proud to recognize truly dedicated hockey volunteers like Henry Kazina,” said Neil Skelding, President and CEO, RBC Insurance. “Hockey is a way of life in many Canadian communities, and this simply wouldn’t happen without volunteers.”

The RBC Local Hockey Leaders program is now in its fourth year. A panel of experts including Hockey Hall of Fame Director of Public Affairs Ron Ellis, Chair of the Board for Hockey Canada René Marcil, and 2006 Olympic gold medalists Jennifer Botterill (Women’s Ice Hockey) and Jean Labonté (Men’s Sledge Hockey) selected the winners based on guidelines that include dedication, leadership, commitment and impact on hockey and hockey players in their community. To date, the program has donated more than $450,000 to grassroots hockey initiatives across Canada.

“If you visit any arena in Canada, chances are you will hear people talking about the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program and about a volunteer in their community who is a perfect candidate for recognition,” said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada. “This program resonates across the country, because every Canadian community has individuals that organize, administer, fundraise, coach and do whatever it takes to keep hockey vibrant in their communities. We appreciate RBC’s continued leadership in recognizing these volunteers.”

For more information and biographies on all of the RBC Local Hockey Leaders, please visit www.rbcinsurance.com.

2007 Regional RBC Local Hockey Leaders:

Region RBC Local Hockey Leader Community
Hockey North Dale Smith Cambridge Bay, NU
British Columbia Gary Edwards Cecil Lake, BC
Alberta Brian Ennis Red Deer, AB
Saskatchewan Johnny Ford Gray, SK
Manitoba Henry Kazina Tyndall, MB
Ontario Murray Howard London, ON
Northwestern Ontario Dan Reynard Kenora, ON
Ottawa District Raymond & Cheryl Graham Ottawa, ON
Quebec Robert Nutbrown Canton d’Ascot, QC
New Brunswick Gary Brooks Fredericton Junction, NB
Nova Scotia John Murphy Yarmouth, NS
Prince Edward Island Terri MacDonald Central Bedeque, PEI
Newfoundland & Labrador Joseph Lane Port Aux Basques, NFLD

About RBC Insurance

RBC Insurance provides a wide range of creditor, life, health, travel, home, auto and reinsurance products and services to more than five million clients in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. These products and services are offered through a wide variety of distribution channels, including the telephone, independent brokers, travel agents, a proprietary sales force and the Internet. More information is available at www.rbcinsurance.com.

For further information, please contact:
Brian Findlay or Bob Stellick, 416-603-9452
Jackie Braden, Media Relations, RBC, 416-974-2124


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Nov 2, 2005
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