Accepting Nominations January 1-31.
Recognizing athletes, coaches, officials, sport builders and volunteers reaching for success in 2025. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2025, but must establish a connection to the 2025 year and should be primarily regarding the 2025 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 2-3 members from the Northwest Alberta sport community.
Award Categories
Female and Male Athlete of the Year
Note: Athlete vs Junior Athlete categories are divided by competition level, NOT AGE.
- Recognizes one female and one male amateur athlete excelling at provincial, national, or international competitions.
- Contributions recognized for activities from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2025 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2025, but must establish a connection to the 2025 year and should be primarily regarding the 2025 year.)
Junior Female and Male Athlete of the Year
Note: Athlete vs Junior Athlete categories are divided by competition level, NOT AGE.
- 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, 2025 to December 31, 2025. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2025 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2025, but must establish a connection to the 2025 year and should be primarily regarding the 2025 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, 2025 to December 31, 2025. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2025 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2025, but must establish a connection to the 2025 year and should be primarily regarding the 2025 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, 2025 to December 31, 2025. (A list of awards and achievements relevant to the 2025 season should be included. Past information may be included if the season began prior to January 1, 2025, but must establish a connection to the 2025 year and should be primarily regarding the 2025 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 2025 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, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
- 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 2025
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 its decisions based only on the information you provide in the nomination package. Follow these tips to ensure your nominee’s story and achievements stand out.
1. Match the Criteria and Timeframe
Check the Category Fit: Read the specific criteria for your chosen category carefully. For example, the difference between Athlete of the Year (Provincial/National focus) and Junior Athlete of the Year (Local/Regional focus) is level of competition, not age.
Focus on 2025: Ensure the majority of your evidence and accomplishments relate to the calendar year January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. If you include information from a previous year (e.g., a season that started in late 2024), clearly explain its connection to the 2025 competition year.
Measure Long-Term Impact: For the Sport Builder category, explicitly detail the nominee’s outstanding commitment and service over a minimum 10-year period developing sport in the Northwest Alberta region.
2. Be Specific and Quantify Achievements
Detail is Key: Do not just say the nominee had a ‘great year’. Use the “Nominee Accomplishments” section to list achievements in clear, separate points, including all of the following information:
What: Name of the competition or event.
When & Where: Dates and location.
Result: Specific, measurable results (e.g., Gold medal, broke a club record, achieved NCCP Level 3 certification, officiated 12 provincial events).
Establish Competition Level: For high-performance awards (Athlete, Team), indicate the depth of competition to show the significance of the achievement (e.g., “Defeated the reigning provincial champion,” “Placed 4th at the Canada Games,” or “Competed against an internationally ranked field”).
Highlight Role Modelling: Explain how the nominee is an exemplary role model. Give specific examples of passion, dedication, fair play, or community contributions that go beyond simply competing or coaching.
3. Polish Your Presentation
Address All Points: Use the “Reasons for Nomination” section to directly answer why the nominee deserves the award and how they meet the general and specific criteria. This should be a persuasive argument in bullet points.
Craft a Powerful Bio: Write the 100-word bio with care. This text will be used in the event production to introduce the nominee. It should be punchy, engaging, and summarise their connection to their sport and their most noteworthy recent achievement.
Supporting Documents Matter:
Letters of Support: A minimum of one letter is required for high-performance categories (Athlete, Junior Athlete, Coach, Team) and strongly encouraged for all others. Letters from a provincial governing body, coach, or teacher/principal carry significant weight.
Photos: Submit at least four high-quality photos (.png or .jpg) that can be used for event announcements and social media. Ensure you include one photo of the nominee alone that can be easily cropped. Do not send .heic photos.