According to a news release, Evelly began volunteering when his daughters got into competitive swimming in 1981, eventually becoming a Master Official. He served on many club committees, and became president of Swimming Newfoundland and Labrador in 1990. He held many influential positions in swimming organizations provincially, nationally and internationally.
Evelly’s sizable list of accolades includes awards dating back to 2004, when he won the President’s Award from Swimming/Natation Canada. More recently, in 2016, he won a Special Appreciation Certificate for commitment and dedication to the sport of masters swimming in Canada as a director, officer and representative to FINA and UANA.
Evelly will be travelling to Dallas, Texas later in September to be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame, which is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. According to a news release, he will be in the Masters category of all aquatic disciplines, including swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, open water swimming and diving.
Evelly becomes one of five Canadians to receive the honour.
