First time in 50 years a group or organization is honoured with award

Published Jun 10, 2026  •  Last updated 2 days ago  •  3 minute read

Rick Mannen (left), chair of the Frank Tomlin Memorial Award selection committee presented the trophy to directors of Free Sports For Growth on Friday June 5, 2026 in Brantford, Ontario. Joining Mannen are (left to right) Dave Levac, Ross Enslev, Rob Lorenz, and Wray Brimmer. Absent from the photo are directors Darin Cleary, Bob Phillips, and Pieret Beare. It marked the first time in the award's 50 year history -- for Sportsperson of the Year -- to be presented to a group. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor

Free Sport for Growth isn’t just making a massive impact in the community, it’s also making history.

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During the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition banquet on Wednesday at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre, Free Sport for Growth was announced as the winner of the Frank Tomlin Memorial Award as the Brantford and Area Sportsperson of the Year.

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It’s the first time in the award’s 50-year history that a group rather than an individual has been honoured.

“I’m blown away by it,” Free Sport for Growth’s Dave Levac answered when asked about winning the award.

“Ross (Enslev) and I are not in it for anything else other than to get the kids (equipment). This is another feather in the cap to say people are paying attention to what we’re doing and that the capacity we have is limitless.”

“Our idea was to get kids outside playing, to give them an opportunity to gain the kinds of skills and life skills that will make them better people,” added Enslev.

“If both Dave and myself hadn’t had the early chance to play in our parks and gain all the life skills, like failure and bouncing back, I don’t think either of us would have done what we did in our lives.”

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The idea behind Free Sport for Growth was basically the brainchild of Enslev and Levac.

Back in 2024, Enslev was told by a friend he should write a sports book. Enslev, a well-known sportsman in the city, decided it was a great idea so he wrote about Brantford’s neighbourhoods, what it was like to grow up in the city in the 1950s and 60s and the sportspeople that made an impact.

Enslev, a 74-year-old former educator, wanted a purpose for the book so he reached out to longtime friend Levac, a 72-year-old former educator and MPP, and they came up with Free Sport for Growth.

Neither was critical of what was taking place through minor sports organizations or schools, they just felt there was an area that was being missed – underprivileged youth whose families couldn’t afford equipment.

The idea was to collect sports equipment and donations and then redistribute those items on giveaway days to help children get passionate about outdoor activities while also promoting physical health and social interaction.

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With previous City of Brantford CAO Brian Hutchings on board, Free Sport for Growth was given space at Earl Haig to store donations. Now housing its sports equipment at the old cricket building at Cockshutt Park, Free Sport for Growth has provided equipment for more than 3,000 youths.

“Dave was more optimistic about the long-term plan,” admitted Enslev. “I was very optimistic about the short-term plan.

“What happened was, we struck a nerve.”

Other prominent community members have come forward and Free Sport for Growth has a board of directors that includes Enslev, Levac, Rick Mannen, Bob Phillips, Rob Lorenz, Piret Beare, Darin Cleary and Wray Brimmer. There is also a group of volunteers and general members who help out.

With that support, Free Sport for Growth has been able to move forward with its next major initiative – an outdoor community ice rink at Conklin Park. That facility, which would be paid for through fundraising, will allow youths access to free ice where semi-organized weekly hockey games will take place.

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There are still steps to go through in that process but Levac is optimistic once the project is green-lighted the group will have enough in donations to cover the cost. Levac said shovels could be in the ground as early as this summer but more than likely it will be next spring.

With so much accomplished and the future extremely bright, Enslev is excited.

“Both Dave and I believe that it takes a community to raise a child and we have about 10 or 12 facets of this community all on the same page,” he said.

“I think it’s pretty clear that we’re trying to make this project inclusive, where nobody gets turned down and everybody has an opportunity to partake at some point.

“We want to leave a legacy for the community.”

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