A nordic skier and a wheelchair tennis player will be sharing the 2023 Jack Burrows Memorial Award for Sports Achievement.
The North Bay Sports Hall of Fame made the announcement back in March.
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Rob Shaw is a world top ten quadriplegic singles and doubles tennis player, six-time Canadian quad singles and doubles champion, and 2019 Parapan Am Games gold medalist.
For the second time, Shaw is the co-recipient of the Jack Burrows Memorial Award for Sports Achievement.
Since last being recognized in 2019, Shaw has gone on to achieve a career-high singles ranking of 6th in the world as of January 30, 2023, compete in each of the four Grand Slams at least once (including reaching the doubles finals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros in 2023, and the US Open in 2022), amass a total of 14 ITF singles and 15 ITF doubles titles, earn a silver medal at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and become a Paralympian when he
represented Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Born and raised in North Bay, Shaw graduated from Chippewa Secondary School and Nipissing University (Bachelor of Physical and Health Education) before ultimately moving west to complete his PhD at the University of British Columbia in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences. Off the court, Shaw acts as a disability advisor and engages in research and consulting in the field of spinal cord injury.
At the age of 21 Shaw was injured in a diving accident rendering him partially paralyzed from the neck down. Before negotiating the wheelchair game, Shaw was a top player and tennis instructor turned Club Professional at the North Bay Granite Club where his father introduced him to the sport at the age of eight years old. In High School, Shaw was an NDA and NOSSA boys’ doubles champion, which led to an OFSAA bronze medal for the Raiders.
Shaw is part of Tennis Canada’s National High Performance Program receiving support from national coaches, sport science and sport medicine personnel, funding assistance, training camps, access to Sport Canada carding and privileges at the National Tennis Centre and Regional Training Centres.
As a proud member of Team Canada, Shaw has had the privilege of travelling the world and putting his talents to work as a representative of the country. Five times Shaw has sported the maple leaf as a participant at the World Team Cup (the wheelchair equivalent of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup), where he was appointed team captain on four occasions, and led the team to as high as a sixth-place finish.
At 34 years of age, despite nearing the tail end of a typical professional sport career, Shaw is producing some of his best-ever tennis and has his sights set on the 2024 Paralympic Games. The Canadians heading to Paris are still unconfirmed, though as of today Shaw has the required ranking to earn a direct entry.
Maycock, OUA champion
Alex Maycock, Nipissing University alumnus and Nordic skier, has been named co- recipient of the prestigious Jack Burrows Memorial Award for Sports Achievement of the Year.
By a margin of 0.1 seconds, Maycock outstretched his competitor from Lakehead University to win the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Nordic Championship in 2023.
One tenth of a second, though just a blink of an eye, represents a lifetime of effort and dedication to a physically demanding sport that began when Maycock was in grade 4.
Growing up in Orangeville with the Mono Nordic Club just minutes from his home, Maycock, the youngest of four brothers, developed a love of the sport that continues to this day.
“My parents were incredibly supportive of all of us. I spent much of my childhood chasing my older brothers and being relegated to goalie in driveway hockey,” said Maycock. His next oldest brother skied with him at the Mono Club.
It was the welcoming environment of Nipissing University that attracted Maycock to North Bay. He credits coaches Toivo Koivukoski and Dave Nighbor for convincing him that Nipissing was the right choice.
“Nipissing University was close to home and offered an affordable education," said Maycock.
"Plus, the on-campus trail network was a huge asset to my training program.”
Maycock completed his Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and subsequently enrolled in the Master of Kinesiology program, completing it last October. Maycock’s excellence is also reflected in his academic career, as he has received numerous awards, scholarships, and research grants. So much so that he looks forward to embarking upon his doctoral journey at the University of Alberta this fall. It is no surprise that his research focuses on Nordic skiers and the cardiovascular system.
Maycock was named to the Canadian Team that competed at the FISU (World Student Games), but perhaps more importantly, he was named flag bearer during the opening ceremonies.
“Carrying the flag was definitely the highlight of 2023 for me, as it was significant for Nipissing University and all my supporters. Nordic skiing is not just an individual sport, it is a team sport. I felt the support of the whole team,” said Maycock.
Nordic skiing encompasses two styles of skiing; classic and skate. Classic skiing (similar to a vigorous walking/running motion, skis stay in a track) has grown on Maycock since he moved to North Bay.
“Insufficient snowfall in Orangeville prevented optimal track preparation for classic skiing, so I spent most of my earlier years skate skiing (more similar to ice skating),” said Maycock.
The OUA race was a 15 km classic race, but Maycock has been successful at both styles. His off-season training regime includes two training sessions per day; plyometrics, roller skiing, or ski striding with poles. No doubt such a training schedule is difficult while maintaining a full university course load.
Maycock emphasizes the importance of rest and balanced nutrition, “In between classes and training sessions, I would try to squeeze in a nap. On race days, I would have a large balanced meal about three hours before the start, then sports drinks one hour before.”
Maycock would like to thank the Nipissing Community for the positive impact it has had on his growth as a student and athlete.
“Nipissing has felt like a second family to me, and I am grateful for all the opportunities. I would especially like to thank Coach Toivo Koivukoski for his mentorship.”
Maycock and Shaw ill be presented with the shared award at the 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Davedi Club. Tickets are available by contacting Larry Tougas (705-303-8104).
