Annual Awards

The Charlie O’Brien Memorial Award has been presented annually by Softball New Brunswick since his passing in 2004. It is presented to the person that best exemplifies the traits and commitment to softball that Charlie possessed.
Charlie has been described as one of the most likeable men in sport. He was a dedicated servant to the sport of softball and a lifelong fan of sports in general. As the secretary/treasurer of Softball New Brunswick for over 30 years, Charlie was referred to by some as the “million-dollar man” for the sheer volume of financial transactions that he tracked. Charlie was a member of three sports hall of fames, the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1994, the Softball New Brunswick Hall of Fame in 1996, and The Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named Saint John Sportsperson of the Year in 1989 and the Sport New Brunswick Volunteer of the Year in 1992.
Charlie served as the Softball New Brunswick liaison to Softball Canada at many local, provincial, and national tournaments. He was one of the founding organizers of the “Play Ball for St. Joseph’s” fundraiser and a proud member of the organizing committee that brought the 1978 Senior Men’s Nationals to Saint John. He served for many years as the President/Coordinator for the Saint John Softball Association. Charlie served on the organizing committee for The Canada Games, held in Saint John in 1985.
Charlie had the ability to communicate with anyone. He was very kind and easy going and never said a harsh word about anyone. He often took time to call and send best wishes if friends were going through hard times. He had an incredible sense of humor and could bring a smile to the face of the most serious individuals. His enthusiasm and cheerful manner was infectious. Charlie was not only a dedicated and valued volunteer, but he also demonstrated his positive traits of kindness, caring and good cheer in his role as husband, father, and grandfather.

Henry Kelly, the name was synonymous with softball in Moncton, New Brunswick and even across Canada for many years as a coach, builder, official and player. Few have dedicated as much time and energy as Mr. Kelly did to the sport of softball. He was acknowledged for his contribution by being named into the Moncton Wall of Fame, Softball N.B. Hall of Fame, Sports N.B. Hall of Fame and the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame.
It is not the number of wins or championships that he is remembered for, even though there are many, it is the invaluable life lessons he taught his players. He was a man of enormous character and not only a gentleman but a gentle man. He instilled in his players fair play, dedication, commitment, work ethic, teamwork, focus, discipline and to win with class and lose without excuse. These life lessons taught by Mr. Kelly have lived on in his players long after the games were over.

Paul Dawson was an original member of the Nelson Softball Association beginning back in 1968. He lived and breathed Softball. Paul was the driving force behind the construction of two softball fields in Miramichi - the Gerald King Memorial and at the Strawberry Marsh. He took on the role of President of the Nelson Softball Association from 1970-1978, while synonymously sitting as President of Softball New Brunswick (1972-1979). During that time, he was involved in organizing and hosting five national championship tournaments in the Nelson-Miramichi area, as well as many more across the province.  Not only did Paul act as President throughout these years, he also coached and managed numerous teams representing New Brunswick at Canadian Championships. Paul moved on to become the Vice-President of Softball Canada from 1980-1982. During this time, he represented Softball Canada at both National and International events. He later moved on to become an MLA of Miramichi-Newcastle, Minister, Councillor for the City of Miramichi, and finally Deputy Mayor of the City. Paul is a member of both the Softball New Brunswick (1994) and Softball Canada Halls of Fame (2002).