Ernie O’Dowda devoted almost fifty years to the founding, organizing and managing of sports organizations in his Elmwood area. Following the Second World War, O’Dowda was coach and manager of the Elmwood Terriors and Elmwood Pats lacrosse teams. He was named an Honourary Life member of the Elmwood Curling Club. O’Dowda and Alex Irvine operated amateur boxing and wrestling cards at the Elmwood Kelvin Community Centre, of which he was founder and long-time president. He was founder and chairman of the Kildonan Place Sports Historical Society where, from a collection of his own, he worked to preserve the sporting heritage of his community.

O’Dowda’s main love was lacrosse. He managed the Elmwood teams and was elected President of the Manitoba Lacrosse Association. He established the Manitoba Lacrosse Alumni Association of which he later became chairman and organized many reunions to keep former players in touch with each other. O’dowda received a national award from the Canadian Lacrosse Association in 1981 to recognize his “Outstanding Contribution to Lacrosse in Canada”. He wrote a book on school lacrosse and a second on field lacrosse.

He was instrumental in organizing the Canadian Little League baseball group which still flourishes across Western Canada.

O’dowda has been recognized with various awards for his efforts. In 1956, he became the first Canadian to be honoured with the prestigious American National Recreation Association Award for actively encouraging young people’s participation in sport. In 1967 he was awarded the Centennial Medal in recognition of his valuable service in the field of sports to the nation.

Ernie O’Dowda’s greatest delight was in unselfishly helping others meet their athletic potential and he showed tremendous heart in doing so.