#BCT100: Esteemed sports trophy finds its way back

A local resident, Denise Mayson, donated the Rob McBride sports trophy back to the newspaper last year.
Denise’s late husband, Tim, worked for His Image Group, which co-sponsored the City Times His Image Sports Star of the Week in the early ’80s.

This accolade appeared on the back page every week without fail, where a week’s sporting hero was highlighted.

The initiative was sponsored by His Image Gents and Ladies Outfitters, owned by Brian Hollmer.

At the end of each year, 10 finalists were selected and the nominees normally came from those nominated weekly in the City Times.

The panel who chose the Sportsman of the Year consisted of Dennis Lindsay, Fred Zackey and esteemed City Times sports journalist Rob McBride.

The trophy, which was named the Rob McBride Trophy, was then presented to the Benoni Sportsman of the Year.

“The awards evening was a prestigious affair,” recalled Ted Jarvis, former chairperson and president of Benoni Northerns.

“My wife, Mandy, was one of the finalists in 1986. I attended most years and I recall Charlene Wittstock was awarded for swimming, Cindy McCall-Peat for tumbling/gymnastics, Dean O’Reilly for swimming and John Bland for golf.”

When Ted Jarvis arrived in Benoni in 1976, he met Rob McBride.

“As a newcomer to Benoni Northerns, I first encountered Rob as the sports reporter for the City Times. He came to the club to photograph our first hockey team. When I met him I thought he was a grumpy old man – I was in my 30s so of course, he was ‘old’ to me! He had a black patch over his one eye; hence, you experienced a sense of intimidation,” explained Jarvis.

“As I got to know him I became very fond of him and found him to be well-intended. I have fond memories of him. The Sportsman of the Year Award was a project, which he had ownership. The annual awards function was attended by the finalists and sporting personalities and a well-known personality would be the MC.”
Cindy McCall-Peat (nee Hollis) won the trophy in 1992.

“I was ranked 10th in the world for tumbling and had just been awarded the Sportswoman of the Year for Benoni, a prestigious award I had longed to win. Rob was the sports photographer who followed my career and took numerous pictures of me training and competing.

“He was a wonderful gentleman who loved his sport. He never missed an event no matter the distance or the time, he was always there to take a picture.”

The City Times handed the Rob McBride trophy over to Benoni Northerns Sports Club, where it will be kept as a fond reminder of McBride and a wonderful bygone era in Benoni.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Denise for thinking of us when she came across the trophy in her garage,” said City Times editor Lana O’Neill.

“I was a very young journalist when Rob was on the sidelines of everything sporting in Benoni, but he always had a presence and was well-loved in the company.

“I would like to see a similar sporting/community awards initiative being hosted by the City Times again. Having the Rob McBride trophy back may be just the motivation we need!”

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