The Yukon is home to many talented athletes, from those starting their sport careers to those who are competing at the highest levels of competition. Together, the Government of Yukon, Sport Yukon, Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle and Special Olympics Yukon celebrated the territory’s top athletes with an award ceremony on February 12, 2024.
For the Government of Yukon awards, athletes earned the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence or the Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition for their accomplishments in 2023.
The Premier’s Award, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding Yukon athletes who competed internationally or nationally, was presented to 23 athletes and four teams.
The Minister’s Award is presented to athletes or teams who excelled at the Arctic Winter Games, Canada 55+ Games, provincials, Western Canadians or national and international competitions. This award was earned by 62 athletes and three teams.
The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle award was awarded to two coaches for their commitment to the advancement of athletes and programs. The coaches helped the North American Indigenous Games teams and Arctic Winter Games sports teams.
Special Olympics Yukon enriches the lives of over 120 Yukoners with an intellectual disability through sport. Each year, Special Olympics Yukon presents the following awards: Athletes of the Year, Most Improved Athletes of the Year, Athlete and Sport Volunteer Rising Stars and the Heather Miller Sport Volunteer of the Year.
The Sport Yukon Major Awards are presented to Yukoners for their contributions to sport in the territory across seven categories for Athletes, Team, Coach and Administrator of the Year.
Congratulations to all the winners of the sport awards. I am consistently impressed by our territory’s athletes. Your hard work and determination are an inspiration to us all. I look forward to seeing you progress in your athletic careers and I wish you the best of luck as you pursue your future goals.
Premier Ranj Pillai
Congratulations to the recipients of the Sport Awards and the coaches honoured by the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle. Your dedication and achievements inspire us and strengthen our communities. You represent the Yukon with excellence and passion. I extend my gratitude to the coaches and volunteers; their efforts ensure our athletes can perform to the best of their abilities on the local, national and international stages.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
On behalf of the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle, we are proud to recognize and encourage these people for their leadership and the development of their sport and ongoing commitment that shows their dedication to helping young people to succeed. These efforts don’t go unnoticed and require our heartfelt appreciation on behalf of our organization. Including the thank you that the athletes they coach express given the opportunity. I would like to congratulate both Shereen and Ross on their achievements – most importantly, with the athletes that they coach and inspire for their overall success.
Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle President Gord Reed
Each year, I am amazed by the tremendous accomplishments of our athletes and impressed by the determination to train and compete in the sports they love to play. Congratulations to each and every one of our award winners.
Special Olympics Yukon Chairperson Mike Paré
Celebrating and honouring Yukoner’s commitment to sport – as athletes, coaches or organizers – is incredibly important. Our small territory is constantly growing and achieving at a higher and higher level, and we owe that to the dedication of the amazing people in our sport community. Congratulations to all the winners of these awards; know that your hard work is recognized and deeply appreciated.
Sport Yukon Executive Director Tracey Bilsky
The Government of Yukon presents its annual awards to outstanding Yukon athletes.
The Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence are presented to an athlete or team who has accomplished one of the following while representing the Yukon or Canada:
- They must win a gold medal 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 Pan-American Games, Commonwealth Games, or a World Championship.
The Minister’s Awards of Sport Excellence are presented to athletes or teams who have accomplished one of the following:
- They must win a gold medal at the Arctic Winter Games, North American Indigenous Games or Canada 55+ Games, or
- They must win a silver or bronze medal or all-star designation at Provincials or Western Canadian Championships, or
- They win a gold medal at Provincials, Western Canadian Championships, National Championships, or International Competitions (that have less than five competitors in the event).
16 recipients of the Premier’s Award and 21 individuals and two teams received the Ministers Award for their sporting achievements in 2022.
The Sport Yukon Major Awards are presented to Yukoners for their contributions to sport in the following categories:
- Administrator of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- National/Territorial Male Athlete of the Year
- National/Territorial Female Athlete of the Year
- International Male Athlete of the Year
- International Female Athlete of the Year
- Team of the Year
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.
Through the Yukon Sport Action Plan, the Sport and Recreation Branch supports the development of a sport system that is inclusive, fun and fair. It also supports the development of athletes, coaches and officials at all levels.
The awards ceremony marked the return of in-person events since the 2018 celebration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the recipients were recognized virtually.
Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence Winners:
|
Name |
Sport |
Competitions(s) |
Event(s) |
Placing/ Achievement |
|
Romeo Champagne |
Biathlon |
2023 National Championships |
Pursuit Mixed Single Relay |
Gold Bronze |
|
Tuja Dreyer |
Swimming |
Canadian Championship |
50 metre fly 400 metre IM |
Silver Bronze |
|
Cole Germain |
Biathlon |
2023 Canada Winter Games |
Mixed Single Relay |
Bronze |
|
Jaymi Hinchey |
Judo |
2023 Canada Winter Games US Winter Nationals |
57kg female
52kg IJF junior U21 |
Bronze
Gold |
|
Lia Hinchey |
Judo |
Open Nationals |
57kg - 16U |
Bronze |
|
Aubree Hombert |
Gymnastics |
2023 BC Provincials Artistic Gymnastics Championships |
Vault |
Gold |
|
Isla Hupe |
Biathlon |
2023 National Championships |
Mixed Single Relay |
Bronze |
|
Taylor Kennedy |
Gymnastics |
2023 BC Provincials Artistic Gymnastics Championships |
Uneven Bars |
Gold |
|
Bree Labelle |
Gymnastics |
Alberta Xcel Championships |
Vault |
Gold |
|
Stian Langbaak |
Snowboarding |
Alberta Provincials |
Slopestyle-U15 |
Gold |
|
Tijana McCarthy |
Golf |
Special Olympics World Summer Games |
Golf |
Being selected to Team Canada |
|
Darby McIntyre |
Cross Country Skiing |
Special Olympic World Games 2023 SO BC Provincials |
5 & 10 km classic
|
Being selected to Team Canada Gold |
|
Alayna Mortimer |
Gymnastics |
2023 BC Provincials Artistic Gymnastics Championships |
Vault, Beam, All Around |
Gold |
|
Mara Roldan |
Cycling |
2023 BC Road Cycling Provincial Championships |
U23 Road Race |
Gold |
|
Mike Sumner |
Figure Skating |
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2023 Canada Winter Games |
|
Being selected to Team Canada Winner of the Pat Lechelt True Sport Award |
|
Cheyenne Tirschmann |
Biathlon |
2023 Canada Winter Games |
Mixed Single Relay |
Bronze |
|
Aramintha Bradford |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals |
1km Free Technique Sprint 7.5km Free Technique |
Gold
Bronze |
|
Constance Lapointe |
Cross Country Skiing |
FIS Nordic Junior & U23 Cross Country World Ski Championships |
U20 20km Classic and 1.2km sprint |
Being selected to Team Canada |
|
Maude Molgat |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals |
U20 1.3km Free Sprint |
Gold |
|
Dahria Beatty |
Cross Country Skiing |
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships |
Women’s 10km Freestyle and 30km Classic |
Being selected to Team Canada |
|
Sasha Masson |
Cross Country Skiing |
FIS Nordic Junior and U23 Cross Country World Championships
2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals |
U23 relay, 1.2km Classic and 10km sprint 10km Skate and 1.3km Sprint Skate |
Being selected to Team Canada
Silver and Bronze |
|
Sonjaa Schmidt |
Cross Country Skiing |
FIS Nordic Junior and U23 Cross Country World Championships 2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals |
U23 1.2km Sprint
Senior Female 10km Free |
Being selected to Team Canada
Silver |
|
Gavin McKenna |
Hockey |
World U17 Hockey Challenge |
|
Named to the all-star team |
|
U14 Subzero Boys Big Tippers |
Volleyball |
2023 Volleyball Canada Nationals |
|
Gold |
|
U15 Subzero Boys Frostbite |
Volleyball |
2023 Volleyball Canada Nationals |
|
Silver |
|
U17 Subzero Boys Ice Storm |
Volleyball |
2023 Volleyball Canada Nationals |
|
Silver |
|
U18 Subzero Boys Black Ice |
Volleyball |
2023 Volleyball Canada Nationals |
|
Silver |
Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition Winners:
|
Name |
Sport |
Competition(s) |
Event(s) |
Placing/ Achievement |
|
Thomas Bakica |
Swimming |
Winter Provincials |
50 and 200m Breaststroke |
Bronze |
|
Kaelan Basnett |
Beach Volleyball |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
U16 Beach Volleyball |
Gold |
|
Johannes Benkert |
Snowshoeing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Alex Brown |
Snowshoe Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Sprint, Individual, Mass Start, and Relay |
Gold |
|
Taiga Buurman |
Snowshoeing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
2.5km, 5km Cross Country, Short Distance, and Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Ernest Chua |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 SO BC Provincial Games |
500m Classic and 2.5km Classic |
Silver |
|
Simon Connell |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 7.5km Classic, 5km Free, 800m Sprint and 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Leoni Crete-Bergeron |
Gymnastics |
2023 Compulsory BC Championships |
Vault and All Around |
Bronze |
|
Ellyann Dinn |
Alpine Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U14 Female |
Three Gold |
|
Kassua Dreyer |
Swimming |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U 100 and 200m Butterfly, 400m Freestyle |
Gold |
|
Tuja Dreyer |
Swimming |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
16U 200m Freestyle, 50 and 100m Butterfly, 200m IM, 200m Backstroke, 200m Butterfly, and 19U 4x50m Freestlye Relay |
Gold |
|
Cole Germain |
Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Nico Giangrande |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U14 3.75km Classic and 400m Sprint |
Gold |
|
Sophie Giangrande |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U18 5km Free, Sprint, and 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Liam Gishler |
Judo Wrestling |
BC Provincials
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Senior-Intermediate
60kg |
Silver
Bronze |
|
Amélie Guilbeault |
Arctic Sports |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Sledge Jump |
Gold |
|
Marcus Herron |
Dene Games |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Hand Games |
Gold |
|
Jaymi Hinchey |
Judo
Wrestling |
BC Provincials
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U18 57kg Senior-Intermediate |
Gold Bronze Gold |
|
Lia Hinchey |
Judo Wrestling |
BC Provincials 2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 63kg 60kg |
Bronze Gold |
|
Kieran Horton |
Speed Skating |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
1500, 400, 500m |
Gold |
|
Isla Hupe |
Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Sprint and Relay |
Gold |
|
Ava Irving-Staley |
Rifle Shooting |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U – 3P, Prone, Overall |
Gold |
|
Johna Irving-Staley |
Snowshoe Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
2km Sprint |
Gold |
|
Corbin Jackson |
Swimming |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
16U 50m Backstroke, 19U 4x50m Freestyle Relay |
Gold |
|
Jorja Jackson |
Rifle Shooting |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
16U prone |
Gold |
|
Josh Jackson |
Rifle Shooting |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U prone |
Gold |
|
Reese Jackson |
Swimming |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U 4x50m Freestyle Relay |
Gold |
|
Abby Jirousek |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U18 10km Classic and 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Troy Johns |
Dene Games |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Hand Games and Snow Snake |
Gold |
|
Justin Johnson |
Rifle Shooting |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U 3P and Prone |
Gold |
|
Emmett Kapaniuk |
Archery |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Team Compound |
Gold |
|
Myra Kendi |
Dene Games |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Snow Snake |
Gold |
|
Avery Kinsella |
Snowshoeing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
2.5km, 5km Cross Country, Short Distance, and Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Bree Labelle |
Gymnastics |
Alberta Xcel Championships |
Uneven Bars, Beam, All-Around |
Bronze |
|
Stian Langbakk |
Snowboarding |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Slopestyle, Rail Jam, Overall |
Gold |
|
Kashtyn Leas |
Dene Games |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Hand Games |
Gold |
|
Matthew London |
Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Relay |
Gold |
|
Seamus MacDonald |
Snowboarding |
Alberta Provincials |
U13-Slopestyle |
Silver |
|
Claire MacMillan |
Snowshoe Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Darby McIntyre |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 SO BC Provincial Games |
7.5km Classic |
Silver |
|
Leah McLean |
Judo |
BC Provincials |
Senior-Intermediate 63kg |
Silver |
|
Sophie Molgat |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 5km Free |
Gold |
|
Stella Mueller |
Snowshoe Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
3km Sprint and 5km Individual |
Gold |
|
Owen Munroe |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 SO BC Provincial Games |
7.5km and 10km Classic 5km Classic |
Silver Bronze |
|
Sascha Nelson |
Arctic Sports |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Kneel Jump |
Gold |
|
Chase O’Brien |
Snowshoe Biathlon |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Relay |
Gold |
|
Isabelle Paquette |
Snowboarding |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Banked Slalom and Overall |
Gold |
|
Kaleb Parry |
Wrestling |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
70kg |
Gold |
|
Daniel Phillips-Freedman |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Joseph Popadynec |
Beach Volleyball |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
U16 Beach Volleyball |
Gold |
|
Issac Powell |
Swimming |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U 4x50m Relay |
Gold |
|
Gabriel Racine |
Wrestling |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
78kg |
Gold |
|
Mara Roldan |
Cycling |
2023 BC Road Cycling Provincial Championships |
U23 Time Trial |
Silver |
|
Mitchell Rudolph |
Archery |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Individual Male Barebow |
Gold |
|
Michael Sumner |
Figure Skating |
2023 Canada Winter Games 2023 SO BC Provincial Games 2023 SO BC Provincial Games |
Men’s Level 3 Men’s Level 3 Men’s Level 3 |
Gold Silver Gold |
|
Delia Therriault |
Archery |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Mixed Team Compound |
Gold |
|
Cheyenne Tirschman |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 7.5km Classic and U18 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Thomas Vollmer |
Alpine Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U14 Male |
4 Gold |
|
Tori Vollmer |
Alpine Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 Female |
4 Gold |
|
Hayden Wallace |
Archery |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Individual Male Compound |
Gold |
|
Pheonix Widney |
Archery |
2023 North American Indigenous Games |
19U Barebow |
Gold |
|
Jan Zumer-Brewis |
Cross Country Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
U16 3x3km Relay |
Gold |
|
Team Yukon Alpine Ski Team |
Alpine Skiing |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Cumulative Team Results from Slalom |
Gold |
|
Team Yukon Men’s Basketball |
Basketball |
2023 Arctic Winter Games |
Basketball Tournament |
Gold |
|
Team Yukon Special Olympics Curling Team |
Curling |
2023 SO BC Provincial Games |
Curling Tournament |
Bronze |
Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle award winners:
|
Name |
First Nation |
Sport |
Games/events coached at |
Coaching Tenure |
|
Shereen Hill |
Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation |
Swimming |
North American Indigenous Games |
Coaching since 1988, NAIG 2003 to present |
|
Ross King |
Tahltan First Nation |
Arctic Sports |
Arctic Winter Games, NYO Games, WEIO, Yukon Arctic Sport Championships |
Coaching from 2015 to present |
Special Olympics Yukon
|
Award |
Winner(s) |
|
Athletes of the Year |
Mike Sumner and Kenny Atlin |
|
Most Improved Athletes of the Year |
Alanna Dene and Cheyenne Sparvier |
|
Athlete Rising Star |
Brandle Bruneau |
Sport Yukon Major Awards
|
Award |
Winner |
|
Administrator of the Year |
Mary Binsted |
|
Coach of the Year |
Bobby Woodman |
|
National/Territorial Female Athlete of the Year |
Mara Roldan |
|
National/Territorial Male Athlete of the Year |
Gavin McKenna |
|
International Female Athlete of the Year |
Dahria Beatty |
|
International Male Athlete of the Year |
Sasha Masson |
|
Team of the Year |
Team Yukon U16 Male Hockey Team |
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca