News Release April 8, 2015

Alberta’s best athletes, teams, coaches, officials and volunteers

Edmonton - Sport Connection has announced their 2014 Athlete and Team of the Year Awards and 2015 Alberta Sport Recognition Awards for coach developers, coaches, officials and volunteers.

“Alberta Sport Connection is committed to support Albertans who strive for excellence in sport,” said John Short, Chair of the Alberta Sport Connection. “These individuals and teams are the best in Alberta at what they do and we are proud to recognize their contribution to our province’s sport sector, and honour them for what they have achieved.”

2014 Athletes and Teams of the Year:

Kaillie Humphries Open Female Bobsleigh Jan Hudec Open Male Alpine Skiing Banff Kaetlyn Osmond Junior Female Figure Skating Yuri Kisil Junior Male Swimming Calgary Team Relay Open Team Calgary , Sam Edney, , Team Junior Team Edmonton area Kelsey Rocque, Keely Brown, Taylor McDonald, Claire Tully, Amanda-Dawn Coderre (coach)

2015 Sport Recognition Award winners:

Leigh Goldie Don Watts Coach Multi-Sport Grande Developer Prairie Beth Veale Coach Developer - Ringette Calgary Sport Robin McKeever Coaching Cross Country Skiing Canmore Duane Bratt Coaching Lacrosse Calgary David Flewwelling Coaching Diving Edmonton Duncan Daniels Officiating Whitewater Slalom Canoe & Calgary Kayak Bill Popadych Officiating Tennis Edmonton Deirdrie Zuk Officiating Netball Calgary Charlotte Sport Volunteer Orienteering Calgary MacNaughton Dan Syrotuik Sport Volunteer Football Edmonton Paula MacWilliam Sport Volunteer Netball Calgary Malcom Kano Sport Volunteer KidSport Lethbridge

The Athlete and Team of the Year Awards recognize and celebrate significant achievements, performances and contributions of Alberta’s amateur athletes. Award winners are outstanding role models who inspire other Albertans to higher achievements at the recreational or competitive level.

The Coaching Development award acknowledges the tremendous impact the National Coach Certification Program Multi-sport and Sport Learning Facilitators and Evaluators have on our sport delivery system. The Awards recognize significant achievement in developing Alberta’s coaches.

Coaching Recognition Awards recognize coaches for their outstanding achievements in developing Alberta’s amateur athletes.

Officiating Awards recognize outstanding achievements in officiating.

Volunteer Awards recognize the significant contributions of individuals devoting their time and effort to the development of sport.

The Awards will be presented at the Alberta Sport Recognition Awards Banquet on April 24, 2015, at the 2015 Alberta Sport Leadership Conference in Banff.

Alberta Sport Connection’s vision is to make Alberta the premier sport delivery system in Canada. Their mission is to enhance, advocate and inspire participation and partnerships as Albertans strive for excellence in sport.

2015 is the Year of Sport in Canada. It recognizes the role that sport plays in our Canadian identity and the positive impact that sport has on individuals, communities and society.

For more information please click on: Alberta Sport Awards or for information on the Alberta Sport Leadership Conference please visit: Sport Leadership Conference. Visit the Alberta Sport Connection, website at: www.albertasport.ca or follow ASC on Twitter @AlbertaSport_

-30- Media inquiries may be directed to: David Hennig Steven Patrick Aaron Lavorato Business Development & Communications Sport Consultant Sport Consultant Alberta Sport Connection Alberta Sport Connection Alberta Sport Connection 780-415-0272 780-721-0686 (mobile) 780-644-4897 780-427-6562 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Athlete and Team of the Year Sport Recognition Awards