SSNS 2026 Awards Recipients

2025-2026 Hugh A. Noble Distinguished Service Award

The 2025-2026 Hugh A. Noble Distinguished Service Award recipient is Gerry Digout of Barrington Municipal High School. Gerry has been a dedicated and influential leader in school athletics at Barrington Municipal High School since 1998, serving as Athletic Director from 1998 to 2024 and positively impacting countless student-athletes throughout his career. His commitment to school sports began in the late 1990s when he stepped forward to coach the senior girls’ basketball team for three seasons at a time when no one else was available, despite having limited basketball experience. His willingness to lead wherever needed quickly became a hallmark of his involvement in athletics.

From 1998 to 2016, Gerry coached track and field at BMHS while also helping establish the girls’ 7’s rugby program at Ecole secondaire de Par-en- Bas, coaching teams at both BMHS and PEB simultaneously. Over the years, he generously dedicated his time to a wide variety of sports whenever support was needed, including table tennis, badminton, junior girls’ and boys’ soccer,
senior boys’ soccer, girls’ golf, and cross country running. Beyond coaching, Gerry was a tireless supporter of athletics at BMHS
and throughout the province. He regularly attended events across Nova Scotia, cheering on student-athletes and often providing transportation to ensure teams could participate and succeed. His leadership also extended beyond the school level, serving as District Coordinator for five years and acting as Tournament Director for numerous district, regional, and provincial championships in hockey, soccer, slo-pitch, track and field, and rugby. Even in retirement, Gerry’s passion for school sports remains as strong as ever. He continues to travel throughout Nova Scotia as a devoted spectator, enthusiastically supporting student-athletes while closely following BMHS sports statistics, records, and achievements. His lifelong dedication, leadership, and unwavering support have left a lasting legacy within BMHS athletics and continues to inspire generations of student-
athletes and coaches.

Congratulations, Gerry!

2025-2026 Dorothy G. Walker Distinguished Service Award

Lori Shaw of Whycocomagh Education Centre is the recipient of the 2025-2026 Dorothy G. Walker Distinguished Service Award.
Lori is a dedicated Physical Education teacher at Whycocomagh Education Centre who has spent more than three decades shaping the lives of students through sport, mentorship, and leadership. With over 30 years of coaching experience in track and field and badminton, Lori has built a legacy defined by commitment, excellence, and a deep belief in the potential of every student.

Throughout her career, Lori has guided countless student-athletes to success at the provincial level. Since 2002 alone, 36 of her athletes have earned provincial medals, with an impressive 13 gold medals achieved across multiple events including high jump, shot put, the 100m dash, javelin, and discus. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, perseverance, sportsmanship, and confidence — qualities that extend far beyond competition. Lori’s impact reaches well beyond medals and records. She has
cultivated a culture of hard work, resilience, and pride within Whycocomagh Education Centre’s athletic programs. Generations of students credit her for instilling discipline, confidence, and a lifelong love of physical activity. Through her unwavering dedication to student development and athletic excellence, Lori has become a pillar of the Whycocomagh school community and a respected figure in Nova Scotia school sport. Her legacy is not only measured in medals, but in the countless young people she hasminspired to strive for their personal best.

Congratulations, Lori!

2025-2026 Eastlink Community Volunteer Award

Wayne Erskine of Musquodoboit Rural High School is the recipient of the 2025-2026 Eastlink Community Volunteer Award. Wayne has been a dedicated coach for nearly two decades at Musquodoboit Rural High School. He has coached both girls’ and boys’ soccer over the years and has been an integral part of fostering the MRHS table tennis team. Wayne continues to coach at the school even after his children graduated. He continues to show up every year for the student-athletes ensuring they have a team. Wayne is knowledgeable in his sports, coaching techniques and on top of that is able to build an excellent rapportwith his student-athletes. He never fails to recognize important milestones for student-athletes and always acknowledges those moments with tokens and keepsakes, usually made by him.

Congratulations, Wayne!