This news release has been updated with additional athletic performance information in the backgrounder.
Recognizing the vital contributions and accomplishments of athletes throughout the Yukon, the Yukon government has announced the recipients of the 2022 Government of Yukon sport awards, which celebrate the achievements of the territory’s top athletes.
Athletes are recognized with two awards: the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence and the Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition. The Premier’s Award recognizes achievements on the international and national stage. The Minister’s Award is linked to regional events. These awards are given to athletes or teams that have achieved a medal or all-star designation at provincial, national or international competitions in the 2022 calendar year.
In 2022, a total of 15 individuals were acknowledged for their accomplishments with the Premier's Award, while the Minister's Award honoured 21 individuals and two teams.
I am constantly in awe of Yukon athletes who consistently excel not only in local competitions but also on a broader stage. Each and every athlete should feel a deep sense of pride in their extraordinary accomplishments in 2022. I would like to express my gratitude to coaches, support staff, and sport and recreation organizations who tirelessly dedicate themselves to guiding our athletes towards success.
Premier Ranj Pillai
A big congratulations to all the exceptional Yukon athletes who were recognized by this year’s sport awards! The Yukon has many athletes, from those starting their sport careers to those who are competing at the highest levels of competition. Throughout 2022, these athletes showcased true Yukoner spirit with relentless drive, unwavering dedication and strong work ethic.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
The Government of Yukon presents its annual awards to outstanding Yukon athletes. The awards recognize their achievements in the previous year and honour athletes who achieve a level of excellence or a special level of accomplishment in their sport.
The Premier’s Awards of Sport Excellence are presented in recognition of Yukon athletes who have excelled at Provincials, Western Canadian, National, & International Competitions. An athlete or team must accomplish one of the following, while representing the Yukon or Canada:
- They must win a gold medal or all-star designation, at Provincials or Western Canadian Championship, OR
- They must win a gold, silver or bronze medal, or receive all-star designation at National Championships, Canada Games, or Major International events, OR
- They must participate as a member of Team Canada at the Olympics, Paralympics, Pan or Para-Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games, or a World Championship.
The Ministers Awards of Sport Recognition are presented to Yukon athletes who have excelled at Arctic Winter Games, 55+ Games, Provincials, Western Canadian, National and International Competitions. An athlete or team must accomplish ONE of the following, while representing the Yukon or Canada:
- They must win a gold medal at the Arctic Winter Games, or 55+ Games, OR
- They must win a Silver or Bronze Medal or all-star designation, at Provincials or Western Canadian Championship, OR
- They win a Gold Medal at Provincials, Western Canadian Championships, National Championships, or International Competitions (that have less than 5 competitors in the event)
Minister's Awards for the 2021 season were not presented because the major sporting events that meet these criteria were either cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic.
Yukon athletes, coaches and officials are funded through several government funding programs like the Foundations and Podium Pathways grants and the Yukon’s High Performance and Elite Athlete funding programs.
Premier’s Award Winners:
|
Name |
Sport |
Competition(s) |
Event(s) |
Placing/ Achievement |
|
Jaymi Hinchey |
Judo |
2022 BC Provincial Judo Championships Elite Canadian Judo Championships |
U16 -57KG
-57KG |
1
3 |
|
Dahria Beatty |
Cross Country Skiing |
2022 Winter Olympics |
Senior Women |
|
|
Sasha Masson |
Cross County Skiing |
2022 Ski Nationals |
U20 Men – 21km mass start free 1.4km sprint classic |
1
3 |
|
Derek Deuling |
Cross County Skiing |
2022 Ski Nationals |
U20 Men – 21km mass start free 1.4km sprint classic |
3
1 |
|
Sonjaa Schmidt |
Cross County Skiing |
2022 Ski Nationals |
U20 women – 5km free 22.5km mass start free |
1
2 |
|
Aramintha Bradford |
Cross County Skiing |
2022 Ski Nationals |
U16 women 10km mass start free |
3 |
|
Simon Connell |
Cross Country Skiing |
2022 Ski Nationals |
U16 men 1.0km sprint classic |
3 |
|
Callum Weir |
Soccer |
2022 Canada Summer Games |
Soccer |
Named to all-star team |
|
Jessica Frotten |
Paralympic Athletics |
Bell Canadian Track & Field Championships 2022 Commonwealth Games |
100m Dash Para Wheelchair 800m Run Para Wheelchair 400m Run Para Wheelchair 1500m run Para Wheelchair |
4 golds |
|
Emmett Kapaniuk |
Archery |
2022 Youth & Masters Pan Am Championships |
U18 Mixed Team Event |
3 |
|
Jason McKay |
Freestyle Skiing |
Freestyle Junior Nationals |
U18 slopestyle |
2 |
|
Cole Germain |
Biathlon |
2022 Biathlon National Championships |
Senior Boys 6km Sprint Race Senior Boys 7.5km Pursuit Race |
1
3
|
|
Stian Langbakk |
Snowboarding |
Alberta Provincials |
U13 Slopestyle |
1 |
|
Hannah Kingscote |
Swimming |
BC Winter Provincials |
18+ girls 100m breaststroke |
1 |
|
Mia Barrault |
Swimming |
BC Winter Provincials |
15-17 girls 100m breaststroke |
1 |
Minister’s Award winners:
|
Name |
Sport |
Competition |
Event(s) |
Placing/ Achievement |
|
Jim Newnham |
Cycling |
Canada 55+ Games |
10km time trial 28km road race |
1 1 |
|
Tim McLachlan |
Darts |
Canada 55+ Games |
Men’s doubles |
1 |
|
John Hadvick |
Darts |
Canada 55+ Games |
Men’s doubles Men’s singles Mixed doubles |
1 1 1 |
|
Doris Dart |
Shuffleboard |
Canada 55+ Games |
|
1 |
|
Mike Spicer |
Shuffleboard |
Canada 55+ Games |
|
1 |
|
Mark Pike |
Golf |
Canada 55+ Games |
|
1 |
|
Vickie Roche |
Swimming |
Canada 55+ Games |
100m IM 50m butterfly |
1 1 |
|
Barb Philips |
Swimming |
Canada 55+ Games |
100m IM 50m Breaststroke |
1
1 |
|
Jennifer Trapnell |
Swimming |
Canada 55+ Games |
100m free 100m breaststroke |
1
1 |
|
Brenda Dion |
Track & Field |
Canada 55+ Games |
50m 65+ 100m 65+ Long Jump 65+ |
1 1 1 |
|
Sheila Senger |
Track & Field |
Canada 55+ Games |
50m 75+ |
1 |
|
Marg White |
Track & Field |
Canada 55+ Games |
Predicted Walk 400m |
1 |
|
Don White |
Track & Field |
Canada 55+ Games |
400m 70+ |
1 |
|
Jim Howard |
Track & Field |
Canada 55+ Games |
Predicted Walk 400m |
1 |
|
Chloe Tatsumi |
Gymnastics |
BC Championships |
CCP 6 - bars |
3 |
|
Jenna Henderson |
Gymnastics |
BC Championships |
CCP 7 – bars CCP 7 – All Around |
2 3 |
|
Aubree Hombert |
Gymnastics |
BC Championships |
CCP 6 – vault CCP 6 - bars |
2 2 |
|
Alayna Mortimer |
Gymnastics |
BC Championships |
CCP 5 – bars CCP 5 - floor |
1 2 |
|
Sammy Demchuk |
Soccer |
ACAC |
Women’s Soccer Championships |
3 |
|
Malorie Hanson |
Soccer |
ACAC |
Women’s Soccer Championships |
3 |
|
Thomas Gishler |
Swimming |
BC Winter Provincials |
15-17 male 400m freestyle |
3 |
|
Sub Zero 15U girls |
Volleyball |
BC Provincials |
15U Female |
3 |
|
YT Elites 18U |
Volleyball |
BC Provincials |
18U Female |
2 |
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca