(November 27, 2007)

Figure skating was well represented with four finalists at the 14th Annual Pitney Bowes Sports Awards. The event celebrates the best in the New Brunswick sporting community and was held Saturday November 17, 2007 at the Fredericton Inn.

André-Marc Allain, of Hanwell, N.B., was nominated and selected New Brunswick official of the year. Allain also won the 2007 Skate Canada Officials Award of Excellence in May earlier this year. Allain has been volunteering in skating for 19 years. He officiated at numerous events last season, including the 2007 BMO Canadian Championships, 2007 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals and 2007 HomeSense National STARSkate Championships. Allain was the Canadian team leader at the 2006 North American Challenge Skate in Pittsburgh and conducted Cumulative Points Calculation training for judges in August 2006. He also attended the 2007 Canada Winter Games as part of the New Brunswick mission staff.

Joan Richardson, of Moncton, N.B., was a finalist in the Investors Group Volunteer Sport Administrator Award category. Richardson is the recipient of the 2007 Skate Canada Volunteer Award of Excellence for Skate Canada – New Brunswick. She is affiliated to the Petitcodiac Dist Figure Skating Club and has been volunteering in skating activities for 26 years.

Mario Richard, of St. Isidore, N.B., was a finalist in the Male Coach of the Year category. Richard coaches at the Bathurst Figure Skating Club.

Skate Canada-New Brunswick’s National STARSkate Team was a finalist in the Aliant Team of the Year Category.