Evelyn Shakell, Mike Kirby Award 2024

For anyone who may not be aware, Mike Kirby founded the Belleville Spirits Girls Basketball Club and worked tirelessly over many years to encourage development and competition through establishing an excellent girls basketball program in the Belleville area. He continues to be a supporter and advisor, both to the club executive and to basketball in this region.

The Mike Kirby Award is given to an athlete who demonstrates a love for the game, takes on leadership roles and encourages others to get involved. This athlete should demonstrate a desire to coach or lead within the sport now and into the future, therefore making their impact infectious and long lasting.

For the 2023-24 season, I am pleased to present the Mike Kirby Award to Evelyn Shakell. Evelyn is a strong and respected competitor across the basketball teams that she competes with. Everyone knows, without a doubt, when Evelyn is in the gym. She is quick to praise, equally quick to voice dissent. Ev comes full force and her impact on this team has been significant.

A talented natural athlete with amazing foot speed, deft passing, superior ball handling and full court vision Evelyn shows every day how the fire of sport is a good fit for her.

Ev supports her Indigenous heritage by serving on school board council and participating in Indigenous sport, including basketball. She will, no doubt, continue to teach and coach going forward. In her graduating year, Ev is going to Trent University to continue her studies. No doubt her influence will continue to be felt in the gym and beyond.