The London Sports Hall of Fame will welcome a new group of six on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Hellenic Community Centre – a team organizers say has collectively earned over 20 gold medals or world titles on the global stage.
“For a community our size, this is an amazing achievement,” said Hall of Fame committee chair Jay Minielly, who mentioned he expects future classes to continue that success.
This year’s inductees are:
Jeff Carter – NHL all-star and Olympic gold medallist Maggie Mac Neil – Olympic and world champion swimmer Jennifer Ogg – world champion boxer Darda Sales – multi-sport Paralympic champion David Willsie – five-time Paralympian and longtime captain of Canada’s wheelchair rugby team Murray Young – one of Ontario’s top rugby organizers
The Hall will also honor the city’s 2025 Spirit of Sport award winners during the event.
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London-born Darda Sales competed on the world stage in swimming and wheelchair basketball.
(Canadian Paralympic Committee) The hall of fame induction is also significant for world champion boxer Jennifer Ogg, who shared that her boxing journey was among some of her best years. “It’s recognition for my coaches , my family. It means so much.”
Ogg , who grew up in London , is recognized as four-time national female boxing champion , and she’s Canada’s second female boxer to win World Amateur Championships. The worlds happened in Turkey back in 2002 , which she considers one of the highlights of her career. “I appreciate being recognized by London because it’s always felt like home,” Ogg noted. “I’m really honored to be among other inductees.”![]()
Jennifer Ogg (blue) is set to be inducted into London’s Sports Hall Of Fame.< (Submitted By Jennifer Ogg)
If you go to The CeremonyWhen : Thursday Nov.6 ,2025 :00 p. m.: Meet-and-greet6:00 p. m.: Formal program Where : Hellenic Community Centre Southdale Road Tickets : Available via London Sports Council website
‘One of the coolest things you don’t see coming’
Londoner David Willsie says he was surprised by the call from the Hall of Fame, which came with a personal touch. “Tim Moore, my high school hockey coach at Laurier, made the call and let me know,” Willsie told CBC’s London Morning. “I was blown away. A good feeling.” Willsie spent his summers playing baseball and winters playing hockey. In 1995, a hockey accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. He credits Victoria Hospital and months of rehab at Parkwood Hospital for helping him find a new path forward – eventually leading him to another sport. “I met some crazy guys who told me about this sport called wheelchair rugby,” he said. “I walked through the gym doors, saw someone knock another person out of their chair, and he called time out when he stole the ball. I signed up that day.” In just a few years, Willsie secured a spot on Team Canada and became co-captain in 2001. That same year, Canada won gold at the World Championships by defeating a U. S. team that “had never lost a game,” he recalled. Willsie’s career includes five Paralympic Games and three medals; he also appeared in the 2005 documentary Murderball. When asked about his favorite memory, Willsie highlighted moments on the podium alongside those around him. “Nothing better than being on the podium, seeing your flag and hearing your anthem,” he said. “But the friendships… being elected by your teammates for 12 straight years is a huge honor.”‘A cherry on top of a great career’
Darda Sales, who has competed in multiple sports as a Paralympic athlete, expressed her surprise when she received news about her induction saying it was “just a cherry on top of a great career.” Sales earned a gold medal in swimming at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney and took home silver in Athens in 2004 along with several medals at swimming world championships. After suffering an injury, she shifted to competitive wheelchair basketball where she won silver at the Parapan American Games in 2015. “Work is never something I am afraid of,” she stated. “I put my head down and worked really hard.”(Canadian Paralympic Committee) The hall of fame induction is also significant for world champion boxer Jennifer Ogg, who shared that her boxing journey was among some of her best years. “It’s recognition for my coaches , my family. It means so much.”
Ogg , who grew up in London , is recognized as four-time national female boxing champion , and she’s Canada’s second female boxer to win World Amateur Championships. The worlds happened in Turkey back in 2002 , which she considers one of the highlights of her career. “I appreciate being recognized by London because it’s always felt like home,” Ogg noted. “I’m really honored to be among other inductees.”
