Sport BC Celebrates the Achievements of the BC Sporting
Community at the 43rd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Richmond, BC: Sport BC honoured outstanding contributions to the BC sporting community tonight at the 43rd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards presented by TELUS. Athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials from across the province were recognized with an award from 17 distinct categories, celebrating the recipients’ achievements and dedication to sport.
The 43rd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards recipients:
Senior Female Athlete sponsored by CTV
Carol Huynh, Hazelton, Wrestling
Senior Male Athlete sponsored by TELUS
Simon Whitfield, Victoria, Triathlon
Best of BC sponsored by the Province of British Columbia
Justin Morneau, New Westminster, Baseball
SportsFunder Community Champion sponsored by SportsFunder
Steve Nash, Victoria, Basketball
Athlete with a Disability sponsored by Flight Centre:
Michelle Stilwell, Nanoose Bay, Wheelchair Sports
Coach of the Year sponsored by myBackCheck.com:
Mike Spracklen, Victoria, Rowing
High School Female Athlete sponsored by Subway Restaurants of BC:
Alyxandria Treasure, Prince George, Athletics
High School Male Athlete sponsored by Subway Restaurants of BC:
Keynan Parker, Vancouver, Football / Athletics
College Athlete sponsored by Champion Canada:
Virginia Watson, Richmond, Basketball
Daryl Thompson sponsored by Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery
Laurel Crosby, Ladner, Wheelchair Sports
Junior Female Athlete sponsored by BC Ferries
Rebecca Marino, Vancouver, Tennis
Junior Male Athlete sponsored by The Vancouver Sun
Eugene Wong, Vancouver, Golf
Master Athlete sponsored by Chef Claire's
Jackie Little, Port Alberni, Golf
University Athlete sponsored by The Province
Nikki Wright, Surrey, Soccer
Harry Jerome Comeback Award sponsored by the Steve Nash Sports Club
Christopher Vanjoff, Abbotsford, Water Polo
Official of the Year sponsored by Infigo
Wayne Pomario, Vancouver, Cycling
Team of the Year sponsored by Team 1040
Canadian Olympic Men’s Rowing 8, Victoria, Rowing
"This year's recipients have set high standards and are outstanding representatives of the BC sporting community," said Sport BC's President and CEO, Paul Varian. "We are proud to honour their achievements and celebrate their commitment and dedication to sport."
This year's finalists represent 17 BC communities and 18 different sports, highlighting the depth of sporting achievements seen throughout the province. For the most part, award recipients were chosen by a selection committee, composed of more than 30 sports media representatives and sport leaders from around the province. The Daryl Thompson Award recipient was selected by Sport BC's Board of Directors from nominations brought forth by Sport BC's member organizations.
The public was invited to vote for the SportsFunder Community Champion Award. This award recognizes an athlete who has made extraordinatory contributions on and off the field and in doing so has inspired others to get in the game and do the same. In the spirit of the award, SportsFunder granted $10,000 on behalf of Steve Nash to KidSport™ BC, to help officially launch the 27th Community Chapter in BC, Vancouver.
About Athlete of the Year Awards presented by TELUS:
The Athlete of the Year Awards is the longest-standing sport recognition event in the country. Awards in 16 different categories are given each year to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers based on their performance and contribution to sport in the province. The awards play a valuable role in nurturing athletic success and recognizing some of BC’s growing talents, such as past recipients Nancy Greene-Raine (Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award 1967 and 1968, Alpine Skiing), Rick Hansen (Athlete with a Disability Award 1979 and 1980, Wheelchair Athletics) Scott Niedermeyer (Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award 1991, Ice Hockey) and James Lepp (Junior Male Athlete of the Year 2001/Senior Male Athlete of the Year 2003 and 2005, Golf). For further information on the 43rd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards presented by TELUS, please visit www.sport.bc.ca.
About Sport BC:
Sport BC is a not-for-profit organization built on the belief of creating and sustaining healthy communities. For more than 40 years Sport BC has been the federation of provincial sport and sport-related organizations that collectively represent the one-third of British Columbians active as athletes, coaches, officials, sport management staff and sport volunteers. Sport BC is the voice of sport in British Columbia, providing leadership, direction and support to foster the growth and development of sport, and advocating for increased participation in physical activity and striving towards excellence in all levels of competition. For more information www.sport.bc.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
High resolution photos of all the nominees and winners are available upon request.
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