St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame inducts exceptional athletes, builder into Class of 2026

Five distinguished athletes and builders of sport in the city are the latest inductees into the illustrious St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2026 St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated last night for their significant achievements in sport, either in competition or through other exceptional contributions, at the hall of fame on the concourse level of the Meridian Centre, 1 David S. Howes Way:

• John Dakin (Athlete): Hockey, Fastball
• Wally Dick (Athlete): Fastball, Basketball
• Jeff Finley (Athlete): Football
• Kirsten Moore-Towers (Athlete): Figure Skating
• Albino Pereira (Builder): Volleyball

"We are proud to recognize these exceptional athletes and builders who have shaped sports in St. Catharines," said Peter Partridge Jr., St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame Chair. "Whether on the field or behind the scenes, they have demonstrated unwavering commitment, mentorship, and a genuine passion for advancing our community's sporting culture."

The 2026 inductees’ names have been added to the David S. Howes St. Catharines Sports Wall of Fame, and each inductee received a commemorative plaque and pin. This year’s class brings to 203 the number of inductees to the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame.

Founded in 1990, the Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of athletes and builders who have significantly contributed to the development of sport in St. Catharines, and who went on to success at provincial, national and / or international levels. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, candidates must have been born or raised in St. Catharines or lived in the city during their sporting career.

“The dedication and passion each of you has brought to sport throughout your lives, whether through athletic achievement or service to others through your contributions have helped strengthen St. Catharines’ proud sporting tradition and inspire future generations,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “We are proud to recognize the impact you have made within your respective sports and the role you have played in our city’s sporting history.”

The St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame and the David S. Howes City of St. Catharines Sports Wall of Fame is available for viewing during public events at the Meridian Centre. In addition to the wall of fame, the hall of fame features an exhibition space showcasing a selection of sports’ artifacts and memorabilia. The current exhibit highlights lacrosse across Ontario and was developed in partnership with the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum.

Inductee Bios

St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductee John Dakin, centre, is presented with a plaque and pin by Mayor Mat Siscoe, left, and Peter Partridge, Jr., Chair of the St. Catharines Hall of Fame.

John Dakin

In 1980, John Dakin was a member of the Cleland Junior A’s, helping the team capture the prestigious title of Canadian Junior Fastball Champions.

During the 1980–81 season, Dakin was a proud member of the St. Catharines Junior B Falcons when they captured the Golden Horseshoe Championship. In addition, Dakin was the Golden Horseshoe League scoring leader, tied the league scoring record, and was recognized as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Dakin was also named the St. Catharines Junior B Falcons’ First Star winner, further recognizing his performance and contribution to his team throughout the season.

From 1982-1984, as a member of the Brock University Men’s Hockey team, Dakin was among the Ontario Universities Athletics Association’s (OUAA) top offensive players, finishing second in OUAA scoring and was named to the OUAA Second All-Star Team.

Beginning in 1995, Dakin carried his passion for athletics into coaching basketball at Governor Simcoe Secondary School, for the St. Catharines Rebels, and was a committee member of the St. Catharines Standard Basketball Tournament.

Through his ongoing involvement, he has shared his passion for the game while fostering teamwork, confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for sport.

Leah Dick, Wally Dick's niece, centre left, and Dick's nominator Ron Friesen, centre right, accept his St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame induction honour on his behalf from Mayor Mat Siscoe, far right, and Peter Partridge, Jr., Chair of the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, far left.

Wally Dick

Wally Dick began playing team sports as early as 1960 when he was the top pitcher for the Juvenile A Fastball Championship team. Throughout his youth, he played many sports in high school, including football, basketball and track and field. He joined the St. Catharines TeePees in 1961 and continued to play fastball for the team from 1960-1968. In 1968, the TeePees won the Canadian Fastball Championships where Dick won the Top Pitcher Award.

Dick attended Brock University from 1968-1970. He played basketball for the Brock Badgers for two seasons. During the 1968-69 season, he was recognized as OIAA All-Star and was chosen as the team’s Most Valuable Player. As a result of this standout performance as a star player for the Brock Badgers Basketball team, he was named the St. Catharines Athlete of the Year for 1969. During his collegiate career at Brock, he finished second in all-time scoring for the Badgers with 966 points. He was later inducted into the Brock University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for his multi-sport career.

From 1970 to 1990, Dick continued to play fastball on teams across Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Alberta where he was a part of several championship-winning teams and where he was consistently recognized for his pitching excellence.

Dick leaves a legacy as one of Canada’s best fastball and softball pitchers, known for his dominant career in the 1960s and 1970s.

St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductee Jeff Finley, centre, is presented with a plaque and pin by Mayor Mat Siscoe, left, and Peter Partridge, Jr., Chair of the St. Catharines Hall of Fame.

Jeff Finley

Jeff Finley’s football journey began in the Niagara Minor Football League when he was in Grade 5. He would go on to play for Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School where the team won three City championships, and he was made team captain.

Finley attended the University of Guelph and played for the Guelph Gryphons football team from 2010-2013. He helped anchor the defence to multiple 7-1 seasons and was named a team captain. Finley earned invitations to the East-West Bowl and the regional CFL Combine while playing for Guelph.

He was drafted 22nd overall in the 2014 CFL draft to the Montreal Alouettes where he played three seasons before hitting free agency. Finley signed with the Toronto Argonauts who would go on to win the Grey Cup in 2017. He continued to play for the Argonauts until his retirement in 2019.

Finley’s football career would come full circle, as he coached clinics at the University of Guelph, coached for the Niagara Spears Football Club and, since 2025, he has coached the Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Bulldogs.

Katie Towers, centre, accepts a plaque and pin on behalf of her sister, Kirsten Moore-Towers, St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductee, presented by Mayor Mat Siscoe, left, and Peter Partridge, Jr., Chair of the St. Catharines Hall of Fame.

Kirsten Moore-Towers

Born in St. Catharines, Kirsten Moore-Towers represents sports excellence and a lasting legacy in Canadian pairs skating.

Moore-Towers is a three-time Olympian, representing Canada at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Winter Olympic Games. At the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, she and partner Dylan Moscovitch helped Canada win a silver medal in the inaugural team figure skating event.

She is a four-time Canadian national pairs champion. With Dylan Moscovitch, she claimed the 2011 national title and earned silver at the 2013 Four Continents Championships. In 2014, she teamed up with Michael Marinaro, and together they won three consecutive Canadian titles in 2019, 2020, and 2022. With Marinaro she also added a Four Continents Championship silver medal in 2019 and a bronze medal in 2020.

Throughout her career Moore-Towers has collected numerous Grand Prix medals and finals. She consistently finished in the top eight at the World Championships until her retirement in 2022 after 13 international seasons. She continues to give back to Canadian skating as a coach and broadcast analyst.

St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductee Albino Pereira, centre, is presented with a plaque and pin by Mayor Mat Siscoe, left, and Peter Partridge, Jr., Chair of the St. Catharines Hall of Fame.

Albino Pereira

Over a remarkable coaching career spanning more than three decades, including 28 years at Eden High School, Albino Pereira built one of the most-successful high school volleyball programs in Ontario.

His teams captured multiple SOSSA championships and at least nine OFSAA gold medals in a 10-year span, including an extraordinary run of consecutive titles. His success, however, was never built solely on talent, but on a culture of hard work, discipline, and belief in team.

Pereira’s contribution to sport in Niagara is undeniable. His influence has impacted hundreds of athletes through his coaching, summer camps, tournaments, and countless volunteer hours. He consistently created safe, inclusive, and engaging environments, often sacrificing his own time to ensure that all athletes — regardless of background — had the opportunity to participate and grow.

His passion for the game is evident in his every role in sport. No matter the role, his impact has remained the same: steady, selfless, and deeply meaningful.