This award is presented by the RA Centre for special achievement in sports not recognized as part of the other awards.  It is used only under special circumstances, for members who have contributed to the success of the Association in a special way.

Andrew Dabeka was recognized by the RA for this award in 2005.  Andrew began badminton at the RA at the age of 13.  An Ottawa-South boy from South Keys, he joined at the same time as one of his friends.  While his friend stopped playing after six months, Andrew continued. Three years later, he won his first national title, the Under 19 Boys Singles Championship.  Two years later, in 1999, he was the youngest player to ever win the Canadian Men’s Singles Championship!  To continue his improvement, he moved to Denmark and trained with some of the best players in the world during the period 1999-2003, keeping his focus on badminton in spite of Danish beer and women!

Back in Ottawa, he achieved many more very impressive results, all over the world.  Please refer to his achievement under http://www.rabadminton.com/Hall-of-Fame.htm.  Andrew not only trains very hard to be the best he can be, he also helps out at many Club programs and events, showing he’s proud to be a member of the RA Badminton Club, and giving back to his club whatever and whenever he can.  After his recent trip to the 2008 Bejing Olympics, Andrew plans to retire as a full-time competitive player after the World Championships  in 2009.  He will be a fixture on the RA badminton courts for many years to come!

Mike Beres was recognized with this special award in 2007 to reflect his success at the 2007 National Championships where he captured titles in all three disciplines, Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles.  An incredible feat!  After his appearance in the recent 2008 Bejing Olympic Games, Mike retired as a full-time competitive player and now works for a living.  He still rules the RA Badminton Doubles League.