ARCHIVED - RCAF member inducted into Canadian Armed Forces Sports Hall of Fame

News Article / December 9, 2015

From RCAF Public Affairs

Chief Warrant Officer Tony Stuckless, a retired member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was inducted into the Canadian Armed Forces Sports Hall of Fame on November 27, 2015. As a Canadian Armed Forces golfer, he competed at the regional, national and Conseil international du sport militaire (CISM) (International Military Sports Council) levels as well as locally, provincially and nationally at various civilian events, winning numerous individual and team medals.

The Sports Hall of Fame is the highest honour in the sports awards program, and recognizes inductees for bringing fame to themselves and honour to the Canadian Armed Forces through their contributions to sport. They may be competitors, coaches, officials, trainers or administrators in a military or civilian sports program.

During the sports awards gala dinner, Captain Khaled El Seweify, whose sport is squash, and Master Warrant Officer Mario Gervais, a badminton player, were inducted into the Canadian Armed Forces Sports Honour Roll. This is the second highest honour in the Canadian Armed Forces sports awards program. It recognizes athletes, coaches, officials and administrators who have distinguished themselves through high-calibre athletic performance or longstanding contribution to sport.

National awards were also presented to the top individual military athletes or teams. The winners are selected from the winning athletes or teams in Canadian Armed Forces formations, including the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force. The 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, men’s slo-pitch team took home the national award for team of the year–collective sports.

The RCAF top athletes and teams for 2014, who automatically became nominated for the national awards held last month, were as follows:

• Major Joel Maley, RCAF male athlete of the year, 1 Wing Kingston, Ontario (408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron)
• Captain Kristen Cohen, RCAF female athlete of the year, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta
• Warrant Officer Alain Chalifoux, RCAF coach of the year, 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia
• Master Corporal Giancarlo Pavone, RCAF official of the year, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta
• 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, men’s slo-pitch team, RCAF collective sports–team of the year

For a full list of all the environmental sports awards winners, the national winners, and others who received awards on November 27th, visit the Canadian Armed Forces sports website.

A talented and dedicated athlete for over 35 years, Chief Warrant Officer Stuckless is an ambassador of the Canadian Armed Forces sports program. As a Canadian Armed Forces golfer, he competed at the regional, national and CISM levels as well as locally, provincially and nationally at various civilian events, winning numerous individual and team medals.

During his athletic career, he consistently finished in the top four in all of the countless tournaments that he entered. He proudly represented the Canadian Armed Forces and his country in nine CISM golf military world championships, reaching the podium 11 times to earn two gold, six silver and three bronze in team and individual competitions.

As an instructor, he gave back to his favorite sport. On his own time, he generously instructed military golf sessions, helping countless players improve their game. His leadership and enthusiasm were formally recognized in 2009 when his peers unanimously awarded him the dedication to golf award at the Canadian Armed Forces national golf championship. Though Chief Warrant Officer Stuckless was determined to master the sport of golf, he also competed at other sports including broomball, hockey, and softball. His successes show that he was able to balance his career and sport, excelling at both.

Captain El Seweify has a diverse sporting portfolio competing in multiple sports, officiating and coaching. Over this athletic career, he has won countless Canadian Armed Forces regional and civilian provincial squash titles. Captain El Seweify ranked in the civilian national top 10 squash players for 11 years in addition to being a five-time Canadian Armed Forces squash champion. He also won the Italian national championships and finished fifth at the world masters games. Having retired from active competition but still passionate about the sport, Captain El Seweify gives back to squash as a coach and official. He referees at the grass roots level and up the highest levels such as at the Canadian squash nationals and Professional Squash Association events. In hockey, he officiates more than 100 minor hockey games per year. Even with a busy schedule, he finds time to coach and constantly encourages, supports and promotes multiple sports at all levels.

Master Warrant Officer Gervais has been an active and enthusiastic badminton competitor in the Canadian Armed Forces sports program for over 25 years. With quite an extensive resumé, he has accomplished many meritorious achievements at all levels of competition – from intersection through to national – in badminton. Crowned Canadian Armed Forces master single badminton champion for two years in a row, he also achieved the status of finalist or team champion in one or more badminton events at each Canadian Armed Forces national badminton championship for over 10 years. He has served as team captain since 1989 to help mold and motivate players at Canadian Armed regional and national competitions. Furthermore, he was selected by all his fellow peers for the 2009 dedication to badminton Award. Master Warrant Officer Gervais plays a very active role at promoting and developing the military sports program in badminton, demonstrating his evident love of the sport every day.