Finalists announced for the Sport BC 52nd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards
February 14, 2018 17:53pm
Sport BC, on behalf of the BC Sport community, has proudly announced the outstanding amateur athletes, coaches, and officials, named as finalists for 14 of the 18 award categories to be presented at the upcoming Athlete of the Year Awards. We are proud to be the longest standing sport recognition event in Canada and this year signifies a historic achievement for sport with our 52nd anniversary.
The 52nd Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala dinner is set for Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver Hotel. The ceremonies will recognize BC’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport over the 2017 season. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial or Multi-Sport Organization, High School, College or University. The Selection Committee, chaired by Bernie Pascall, included 16 highly regarded sportswriters, broadcasters, and amateur sport leaders in British Columbia.
“Each year the Athlete of the Year Awards selection committee reviews all nominations and recognizes the talented and deserving athletes, coaches and officials”, notes President & CEO of Sport BC, Rob Newman. “The nominees for the 2018 Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards represent 23 sports and 29 various cities who are all representative of the strength and depth of sport development in our province over the last 52 years. Each year, we are grateful for the support and contribution of our sport and business partners and volunteers.”
An additional four awards will be presented at the ceremony including the Best of BC, KidSport BC Community Champion, Harry Jerome Comeback and the Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award.
| Athlete with a Disability of the Year | Liam Stanley (Victoria) |
| Female High School Athlete of the Year | Katarina Vlahovic (Fraser Heights) |
| Male Coach of the Year | Garrett Collier (Delta) |
| Female Coach of the Year | Tara Self (Coquitlam) |
| Master Athlete of the Year | Christa Bortignon (West Vancouver) |
| Male Junior Athlete of the Year | Anastas Eliopoulos (Vancouver) |
| Male Senior Athlete of the Year | Michael Mason (Nanoose Bay) |
| Team of the Year | UBC Men's Track & Field (UBC) |
| Harry Jerome Combeback Award | Spencer Allen (Kamloops) |
About the Athlete of the Year Awards
The Athlete of the Year Awards, founded by Sport BC, is the longest standing amateur sport recognition event in the
country. Awards in 18 different categories are given each year to athletes, coaches, and officials on their performance
and contribution to sport in the province of British Columbia. The awards play a valuable role in nurturing athletic success
while recognizing extraordinary accomplishments in BC.
24th Annual Presidents Awards
The 24th Annual Presidents Awards is proudly sponsored by Sports with Balls. This group is comprised of Basketball BC,
Volleyball BC, BC Lacrosse Association, BC Soccer Association, Softball BC, Baseball BC, Tennis BC and the BC
Ringette Association. These awards are presented annually to volunteers from Sport BC member organizations who
represent the spirit of volunteerism, and whose dedication, energy, and commitment contribute to the development of their
sport or organization.
About Sport BC
In 1966, a small group of dedicated volunteers created an organization to provide a unified voice for amateur sport in
British Columbia. While much has changed in 52 years, our core purpose remains the same.
Who we are:
Sport BC is the non-profit sport federation, representing over 60 Provincial Sport Organizations in British Columbia. As a
member-based organization, Sport BC offers services and programs to build the capacity of our members and advocate
on their behalf to improve the landscape for organized sport in BC.
Mission:
Sport BC, as a member-based organization, supports the growth of amateur sport in BC and provides leadership through
delivery of its programs and services for members.
Vision:
Sport in British Columbia is thriving through the leadership of Sport BC and our members.
Values:
Integrity, Transparency, Collaboration, Creativity and Innovation
