February 17/06 11:48 am - Deadline for Nominations Extended for Canadian Sport Awards

Posted by Editoress on 02/17/06
 

True Sport Foundation Announces: Extension of Nomination Period for the 33rd Canadian Sport Awards

The True Sport Foundation today announced an extension of the nomination period for the 33rd annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA). The nomination period reopens today and closes on March 2, 2006. The awards eligibility period remains unchanged – recognizing excellence in sport for the calendar year 2005. The on-line nomination form is available at www.canadiansportawards.ca.

This annual event brings together more than 500 leaders from the sporting and corporate communities. Established in 1972, the Canadian Sport Awards are the premier recognition event for sporting excellence. The Canadian Sport Awards have a rich history of recognizing excellence in Canadian Sport across a broad range of award categories.

“For reasons unknown to us, this year we have experienced a sharp decline in the numbers of nominations received prior to the original (January 13, 2006) deadline,” said Victor Lachance, Chairperson of the True Sport Foundation. “This is an exciting time for Canadian sport and the achievements of our athletes, leaders and sponsors deserve to be recognized. Rather than risk the potential of some categories being dormant this year, the True Sport Foundation Board of Directors has taken the extraordinary step of extending the nomination deadline. The Foundation would again encourage all sport organizations, media and the general public to take this new opportunity to nominate their sport heroes for this year’s Canadian Sport Awards,” Mr. Lachance commented.

Finalists for each CSA award will be announced in March 2006. Winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony thereafter in the spring of 2006.

The 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Award categories are listed below, along with those honoured for each award in 2004.

The Athletic Performance Awards recognize outstanding athletic performance.
• Male Athlete of the Year (The Norton H. Crow Award)
2004 winner: Kyle Shewfelt, Men’s Gymnastics
• Female Athlete of the Year (The Velma Springstead Award)
2004 winner: Chantal Petitclerc, Athletics - Wheelchair Track and Field
• Junior Male Athlete of the Year (The Viscount Alexander Award)
2004 winner: Michael Mason, Athletics - Track and Field, High Jump
• Junior Female Athlete of the Year (The Elaine Tanner Award)
2004 winner: Shannon Rempel, Speed Skating – Long Track
• Male Team of the Year (The Dick Ellis Trophy)
2004 winner: Men’s Wheelchair Basketball
• Female Team of the Year (Edmonton Grads Trophy)
2004 winner: Women’s Goalball Team, Canadian Blind Sports
• Partners of the Year (The Wilson and McCall Trophy)
2004 winner: Men’s Coxless Four Rowing Crew:
Cam Baerg, Tom Herschmiller, Jake Wetzel, Barney Williams
The Leadership Awards recognize and celebrate an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.
• Athlete Leadership Award (The Bruce Kidd Award)
2004 winner: Patrick Jarvis, Amarok Training Centre
• Volunteer Achievement Award (The Bryce Taylor Award)
2004 winner: Eldon Godfrey, Diving Plongeon Canada
• Leadership in Sport Award
2004 winner: Dale Henwood, Calgary Sport Centre
• Coach of the Year Award
2004 winner: Peter Eriksson, Athletics Canada
The Corporate Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate corporations who provide outstanding support to Canadian sport.
• National Team Support Award
2004 winner: Pfizer Canada
• Individual Athlete Support Award
2004 winner: Royal Bank Financial Group
• National Initiative Support Award
2004 winner: Bell Canada
The Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year category recognizes and celebrates a Canadian hero who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as fairness, inclusion, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others, and a true love of sport. The 2004 winner was Myriam Boileau, Diving Plongeon Canada.

Nomination Eligibility
Any Canadian citizen can nominate an individual, team or corporation for the Canadian Sport Awards. Individuals and corporations can also self-nominate. Eligible entries are for performances or contributions from January 1, 2005 through to December 31, 2005.

Nominations are to be made on-line at www.canadiansportawards.ca.
Nominations received by the True Sport Foundation in accordance with the earlier call for nominations shall remain in effect. Additional submissions must be received on-line by the True Sport Foundation no later than 11:59 p.m. E.S.T., Thursday, March 2, 2006. Submissions received after that time will not be considered.

About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society, athletes and the physical and moral development of Canada’s youth. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Canada, the Canada Games Council and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

For complete nomination rules and guidelines, and more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca