Sport BC celebrated the 54th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards virtually on Thursday, March 25, 2021. The event was hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell recognizing the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport over the 2019 season. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial or Multi-Sport Organization, High School, College, or University. The Selection Committee, led by long-serving Chair Bernie Pascall, included a diverse group of highly experienced British Columbia sport leaders and media members.
“While our celebration was delayed, the Virtual Athlete of the Year Awards was a true celebration of sport in our province, the recipients represent an exceptional 2019 in BC sport and we would like to thank everyone for their patience in announcing our winners. We congratulate all of our finalists and the organizations they represent”, shares Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman. “We were proud to celebrate the winners. The last year has been challenging for everyone and it confirmed the importance of Sport in our lives; I personally would like to thank our members for everything they have done over the last year.”
“Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year Awards play an integral role in celebrating the outstanding achievements of B.C. athletes, coaches, officials and organizations,” said Minister Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “I was honoured to present the first Delivering on Diversity Award this year to recognize the important work being done in advancing equity, inclusion, and accessibility in sport. This award, along with all of the other awards, underscores the talent, strength and commitment of B.C.’s sport community. Congratulations to all of the nominees. Your accomplishment and contribution to sport are truly inspiring.”
Sport BC congratulates all the Athlete of the Year Awards’ Recipients:
Athlete with a Disability
Nathan Reich (Victoria) Athletics
College Athlete of the Year
Rachel Beauchamp (Douglas) – Basketball
Female Coach of the Year
Lynn Kanuka (Surrey) – Athletics
Male Coach of the Year
Chris MacDonald (Vancouver) – Golf
High School Female Athlete of the Year
Jasmet Nijjar (Queen Elizabeth) – Athletics
High School Male Athlete of the Year
Uyi Ologhola (Holy Cross) – Basketball, Football
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Camryn Rogers (Richmond) – Athletics
Team of the Year
UBC Women (Vancouver) – Volleyball
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Carter Woods (Cumberland) – Mountain Biking
University Athlete of the Year
Kiera Van Ryk (UBC) – Volleyball
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Rachel Cliff (Vancouver) – Athletics
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Scott Tupper (Vancouver) – Field Hockey
Master Athlete of the Year
Cathy Zeglinski (Whistler) – Mountain Biking
Official of the Year
Jeff Thomson (Vancouver) – Gymnastics
An additional six awards were presented including the Best of BC, KidSport BC Community Champion, Harry Jerome Comeback, Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and In Her Footsteps Honourees.
Best of BC Senior – Athlete of the Year
Vasek Pospisil (Vernon) – Tennis
The Best of BC Award, supported by the Province of British Columbia, is presented to an individual or team thought to have represented British Columbia, nationally or internationally, in either a professional or amateur sport.
KidSport Community Champion
Sanjeet Sadana (Richmond)
The KidSport Community Champion, supported by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, is presented to an individual who has made a significant and meaningful contribution to KidSport.
Harry Jerome Comeback Award
Stephane Tanguay
The Harry Jerome Comeback Award is presented to an individual who succeeded in their sport after suffering a significant and unique setback.
Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award
Dianne Barker (Kamloops) – Curling
The Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the BC Games Society, is presented to an individual who has contributed their time in an extraordinary way to sport over a long period of time and/or has made a major contribution to amateur sport in British Columbia. The award is named after the late Daryl Thompson an inspiring former Chair of Sport BC.
ProMOTION Plus The recipients have demonstrated their commitment to being role models and mentors of young women; they have opened doors to increase accessibility and promote opportunities for participation. They have strived, struggled, fallen, picked themselves us and continued – because they know the benefits and love what it means to be deeply involved in sport and physical activity.
In Her Footsteps . . . Celebrating BC Women in Sport
2019
Debbie Cheong (Delta) – Osteofit
2019
Loreen Barnett (North Vancouver) – Triathlon
2020
Diana Barkley (Whiterock) – Figure Skating
2020
Dr. Patricia Vertinsky (Vancouver) – Sport Researcher
Bobbie Steen Foundation Legacy Award
2019
Emma Courtney (North Vancouver) – Outdoor Recreation
2020
Meghan Hebert (Whistler) – Snowboard
About Sport BC
Sport BC believes in the power of sport and is committed to building stronger communities through positive sport experiences. Our goal is to enhance and support sport participation in British Columbia ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our KidSport BC, BC Amateur Sport Fund, and ProMOTION Plus along with our services Sport BC Insurance, and Payroll and Group Benefits; Sport BC supports our sixty plus member organizations. Keep up to date @SportBC