By Ottawa Sports Pages executive director Dan Plouffe
The bittersweet day we always kind of dreaded has indeed arrived – Martin Cleary is calling it a career after more than 53 years covering amateur sport in Ottawa.
For me, it’s almost been the five stages of grief since Martin hinted the moment may be near, and if you’ve been a follower of local sport at any point during his unmatched run reporting on our city’s amateur sports scene, then you’re probably experiencing something similar.
But after meeting Martin for a wonderful, and emotional, lunch earlier this week, I’m happy to say I’ve now arrived at one overpowering feeling – gratitude.
Dan Plouffe with Martin Cleary’s family (wife Nancy, daughter Emily and son Andrew) at a 2023 celebration of Cleary’s 50 years in sports journalism. Photo: Wayne Cuddington
The words to properly say thank you simply don’t exist. Nor can they adequately explain the immense impact he’s made with his exceptional storytelling, tireless research, attention to detail, and his unwavering dedication to largely-overlooked amateur sport.
But if you’re among the generations of athletes, sports figures and unsung heroes Martin has covered, then you certainly understand it. And then you multiply that by well over 10,000 – a rough count of the total number of stories he’s written – and the appreciation you get for those contributions… Truly no words.
Some people mistakenly thought the celebration we had to mark Martin’s 50 years in local sports journalism was his retirement party. There were of course some fantastic reflections alongside that milestone moment, but they couldn’t have been more wrong.
After receiving a Letter of Commendation from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at that 2023 event, Martin continued to pile up awards in each of his last three years of writing, building on an already-storied career that notably included Canadian sportswriter of the year and Ottawa Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement in Sport Media honours.
2007 Ottawa Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for Media winner Martin Cleary. File photo
I feel especially grateful for these final chapters because I never expected that Martin would have this extraordinary run of nearly six years with Ottawa Sports Pages.
From our initial plans to provide a news website home for the Twitter threads he was producing during the pandemic, Martin carried on to write another 1,000+ stories shining a light on local sport.
Martin wrote his final article for OSP just before the Thanksgiving weekend. That one served as a reminder of how many high achievers there are in our community, showcasing six news items that were all deserving of recognition.
Martin is irreplaceable. His dedication to the local amateur sports beat is unmatched. Period.
But he’s certainly provided endless inspiration and motivation for us to continue sharing these stories in the years ahead. Our publication probably wouldn’t even exist without Martin’s efforts, because a generation would have no idea what’s happening in Ottawa’s amateur sports scene. We know how important this work is to our community and we will do our very best to carry the torch going forward.
Martin included a humble personal sign-off note to share with readers as he filed his last column, here it is:
This is my 1,191st and final High Achievers’ story for the award-winning Ottawa Sports Pages. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to tell the fascinating amateur sports stories in our growing city.
Dan Plouffe has done a remarkable job presenting this best-kept-secret in Ottawa sport and is a true professional as a publisher, writer and leader.
A special thank you to all athletes, coaches, administrators, teams and clubs that have allowed me to put the spotlight on your hard work, dedication and rewards.
For more than 53 years, I had the opportunity with the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Sun and Ottawa Sports Pages to experience the capital’s sports scene in a unique manner. I am forever grateful.
– Martin
-30-
Note to readers: you are welcome to add on to the comments we collected around the occasion marking Martin’s 50 years of local sports reporting below:
Sorry I couldn’t be there Martin. I was coaching a sport you’ve written a lot about over the years - LL Baseball. In the late 90’s you wrote an article about my son throwing a no hitter is a District final. You have no idea how thrilled he and his parents were to see his name in the paper. We still have the article on our mantle. You’ve made many thousands of families feel the same way. Thanks for all you’ve done. Don’t stop now - there’s still a lot of great stories to tell. Congratulations my friend.
Martin...I am so sorry I wasn't able to join you to celebrate your 50 years of dedication to the Ottawa and area amateur sport scene. Your special attention to the athletes that work so hard is so very appreciated. Scary that I was one of those athletes 50 years ago! 😉 Thanks for all you do!
Thank you so much Martin for everything that you have done for the sporting community and athletes throughout the years. We celebrate your lifetime achievement!
Well done, Martin. This is a well-deserved celebration of a half century of fine sportswriting and dedication to the importance of local amateur sports.
Therese Brisson on behalf of Ed Champagne at Alpine Canada
May 9, 2023
Congratulations Martin on an incredible 50 years of sports reporting. Your help to the Canadian Ski Association back in the days was so very much appreciated, especially by team manager Ed Champagne who sends his best and the Alpine team. Wishing you and family the very best in your next adventure.
Mike Milligan & Gary Mighton (former chairmen of The ACT Sports Awards Dinner)
May 8, 2023
Congratulations Martin, Well done.
Your research & knowledge of Ottawa’s amateur athletes was greatly appreciated and enabled us to honour those athletes every year at The ACT Sports Awards Dinner. We couldn’t have done it without your help.
Many thanks & enjoy your retirement.
Congratulations to 50 years Martin. You have dedicated so much time to covering, elevating and profiling amateur sport here in Ottawa. The sport community cannot thank you enough - club, high school, and university. Thank you so much for your dedication and commitment.
Martin - I unfortunately cannot make your well deserved 50 years recognition event but wanted to make sure to send this brief note. Thank you for amplifying the many positive amateur sport stories, the community and local stories that no one else told. You have been an amazing reporter, with such high credibility and integrity in your work. Thank you for making a difference and for your dedication to youth and sport throughout Canada and right here at home in Ottawa. Way to go Martin!
Thanks Martin, for shining an encouraging spotlight on so many young people over the years. Your career has made a difference! Congrats on this celebration.
Congratulations Martin! Back in my rowing days, I admired your coverage of our team. You were always paying attention. Thanks for your dedication to sport and community.
Martin, what a wonderful and impactful career! Thank you for the advocacy and excellent coverage of Track and Field over the years! Thank you! Wishing you good health and a happy, fulfilled retirement; so well deserved!!!
Helen Cooper
Congratulations on 50 years of incredible sports writing in Ottawa! You have made a difference in so many lives by providing voice and recognition to amateur sports. I’m thankful you are my dad, always kind, supportive and the best dad I could ask for.
Congratulations, Martin, on 50 years of sports stories. Working with you at the Citizen always was a pleasure. You were knowledgeable and courteous -- both with your co-workers and the athletes you wrote about. This celebration is so deserved.
Your story telling has provided so many individuals with a platform to share passion, drive and reason for involvement within the community. You have always been able to raise that awareness of our athletes, coaches and entourage when it comes to our community. I know we have had the opportunity to meet and tell stories on many occasions throughout my career. One that I share with you. It’s true that if you surround yourself with the right people you can make some amazing things happen. You have done that throughout the last 50 years. Congratulations well deserved.
Congratulations Martin on an incredible career in sports reporting! Your interest in local amateur and professional athletes has been outstanding and has delighted sports fans, friends and family for decades. As communications lead for Team Ontario at several Canada Games, I always noticed that you showed great interest in all athletes, whether they were just beginning their amateur careers or others who were already at the top of their game, you treated them with the same respect and enthusiasm in your reporting. All the best and enjoy your special day! Cheers, John
