Know an MVP? We want to hear about it

In sports, a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is an honour typically given to the best-performing player (or players) — a goalie who recorded a shutout victory or a soccer player who scored the winning goal in the tournament.

And, while those accomplishments are certainly worthy of praise, NorthernLife.ca is looking outside the box for MVPs.

We belive sports are about pride, and Sudbury is bursting with it.

That's why NorthernLife.ca is looking to celebrate and profile one Greater Sudbury MVP, nominated by readers for readers. Every two months we will choose a new MVP and profile that person in Sudbury Sports, a new insert that will appear every other month Northern Life.

We aren't necessarily looking for the best of the best. Instead, we're looking for those people who, in their own way, help make their team better. We're looking for those people who sacrifice their own personal agendas to better the lives of others.

That could very well be the captain of the hockey team, but it could also be the person responsible for making sure all the equipment is in good repair and in the right place at the right time. It could be the mom who never forgets to bring snacks for the entire team. It could be a dad who goes out of his way to drive teammates to and from practice and games. Really, the sky is the limit when it comes to MVP nominations.

For example, past recipients of the MVP honours include the members of the Burns rink. Since joining forces, the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club’s Krysta Burns and Sara Guy of Sudbury, and Leah Hodgson and Laura Masters of Sault Ste. Marie, have thrived on the national and international junior women’s curling circuit.

Another past MVP is Sarra Gratton, a member of Korean Martial Arts Centre, whose dedication to her sport earned her world champion status at the 2014 WKC World Championships.

Of course, in Sudbury, what sports publication wouldn't be complete without hockey players having earned the honour of MVP.

Sébastien Leroux is a hockey player with the kind of drive that leaves no room for doubt of his ongoing success. He was featured earlier this year for his contributions to the Laurentian Voyageurs’ men’s hockey team.

We're just eager to share their stories with you, and to give them a little well-deserved recognition.
MVPs can be participants of any level and sport. MVP submissions will be vetted by Northern Life.

It's easy to nominate someone. Send us a quick email with details as to why you think you or your athlete deserves the title of MVP. Emails can be sent to [email protected].

And don't forget to look for the new sports insert in the pages of Northern Life. The first 16-page sports insert of Sudbury Sports will be unveiled at the end of October, featuring sports news, columns, recipes and more.

Sudbury Sports will appear every other month in Northern Life.