Accepting Nominations January 1-31.
Recognizing athletes, coaches, officials, sport builders and volunteers reaching for success in 2024. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2024, but must establish a connection to the 2024 year and should be primarily regarding the 2024 year.
Selection process – Nominations will be evaluated by a selection committee made up of 2 representatives from the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection Board and 3-4 members from the Northwest Alberta sport community.
Award Categories
Female and Male Athlete of the Year
- Recognizes one female and one male amateur athlete excelling at provincial, national, or international competitions.
- Contributions recognized for activities from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2024 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2024, but must establish a connection to the 2024 year and should be primarily regarding the 2024 year.)
Junior Female and Male Athlete of the Year
- Recognizes one female and one male amateur athlete excelling at local, regional, school, club and/or Alberta Schools Athletics Association sanctioned competitions.
- Contributions recognized for activities from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2024 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2024, but must establish a connection to the 2024 year and should be primarily regarding the 2024 year.)
Team of the Year
- Recognizes a team that excelled at a provincial or national and/or international level.
- Category may be awarded as a male & female at the discretion of the selection committee
- Recognized for activities from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2024 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2024, but must establish a connection to the 2024 year and should be primarily regarding the 2024 year.)
Coach of the Year
- Recognizes an NCCP trained coach coaching athletes that have excelled at the provincial, national or international level. A coach who has supported their athletes and created a healthy and safe environment for athletes to train and compete.
- Contributions recognized for activities from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2024 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2024, but must establish a connection to the 2024 year and should be primarily regarding the 2024 year.)
Developmental Coach of the Year
- Recognizes a coach responsible for developing the competitive skills of athletes participating at the developmental level and competing at the regional or provincial level. A coach who has supported their athletes and created a healthy and safe environment for athletes to train and compete. This coach has completed some NCCP training.
- Category may be separated into ‘Community’ & ‘School’ at the discretion of the selection committee
- Contributions over a period of time will be considered.
- More than 1 Developmental Coach of the Year may be recognized annually.
Outstanding Official
- Recognizes an official officiating at the local, provincial, national, or international level who has also contributed to the development of officials and the game at the regional level.
- Contributions over a period of time will be considered.
Outstanding Junior Official
- Recognizes a junior official that has contributed to the growth and development of the game during the 2024 year.
- Nominees must be aged 18 or younger.
Sport Builder
- Recognizes a person that demonstrates outstanding commitment and longstanding service in developing a club, organization, or sporting event resulting in a positive impact on the sport community.
- Contributions should cover a minimum of a 10-year period.
- Nominations will stand for three years.
- More than 1 sport builder may be recognized annually.
Unsung Hero
- Recognizes achievements and outstanding contribution made by a volunteer to their community or region, or to a specific sport activity, club, team, or group. This contribution has made a positive difference in the lives of others by support and encouragement, often with self-sacrifice and without personal gain.
- Contributions over a period of time will be considered.
- This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime.
Spirit of Sport Award
- Recognizes the contribution and achievements made by an inspirational individual or group which exemplifies sport values of fairness, excellence, inclusion, and fun benefiting their community.
- Contributions recognized for activities primarily from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
- This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime.
Sport Event of the Year Award
- Recognizes the overall success of an outstanding single-sport, multi-sport or collegiate event held in Northwest Alberta in 2024
Award of Sport Excellence (ASE)*
The Award of Sport Excellence is a prestigious honour presented to individuals who demonstrate outstanding performances in their sport. This honour recognizes athletes, coaches or teams who excel not only in competition but also in leadership, dedication and fair play, setting a remarkable standard for excellence in their respective fields.
- Nominees must meet the criteria for Athlete/Coach/Team of the Year award category in addition to competing in eligible competitions.
- Depth of competition will be considered. Recognition in this category is at the discretion of the selection committee. Competition in eligible competitions does not guarantee recognition.
Eligible competitions and results below:
- Podium finish, special accomplishment, and/or participant in the Olympics, Paralympics Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, Para Pan Am Games or world championships
- Podium finish and/or special accomplishment at the National Championships or Canada Games.
- Podium finish and/or special accomplishment in a major international event sanctioned by the national sport organization
*To be awarded at the discretion of the selection committee.
Nominations Guidelines
The selection committee makes their decisions from the information received in the nomination packages. Ensuring you submit a quality nomination package only helps your nominee.
Here are a few tips for completing a great nomination:
- Be sure to understand the category criteria your are submitting your nomination for. (The selection committee reserves the right to move nominations to another category if they feel it’s a better fit.)
- Use bullet points where it is indicated to do so.
- Answer each question completely but be concise.
- Depth of competition is considered.
- Include letters of support even when they are not mandatory. (Up to five letters of support can be submitted.) We recommend letters from the provincial governing body, a coach or teacher/principal.
- Past winners are eligible for re-nomination only in the categories with accomplishments recognized in the 2024 calendar year.
- Remember that while you know the nominee and their accomplishments, the selection committee likely does not. The nomination package is your only chance to convince the selection committee your nominee deserves to win.
