Team BC Alumni honoured with Athlete of the Year Awards
480 guests, representing the sport sector in BC, gathered at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on March 12, 2015 to celebrate BC’s best amateur athletes, coaches, and officials for outstanding performances in sport over the 2014 season at the 49th Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards.
Amongst this year’s nominees were many who have attended the Canada Games or Western Canada Games as part of Team BC, with eight bringing home top honours.
Team BC alumni that were honoured with nominations and awards include:
Female Coach of the Year
Nominated – Tammy Thomas (Kelowna) – Volleyball (2005 Canada Summer Games)
Male Coach of the Year
Awarded – Paul Eberhardt (Vancouver) – Basketball (2009 Canada Summer Games)
Nominated – Randy Bennett (Victoria) – Swimming (1997 Canada Summer Games)
Female High School Athlete of the Year
Awarded – Payton Smith (Maple Ridge) – Wrestling (2013 Canada Summer Games)
Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Awarded – Naomi Ko (Victoria) – Golf (2013 Canada Summer Games)
Nominated – Emily Overholt (West Vancouver) – Swimming (2013 Canada Summer Games)
Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Awarded – Samson Reinhart (Saanichton)- Ice Hockey (2011 Canada Winter Games)
Nominated – Dylan French (Richmond) – Fencing (2013 Canada Summer Games)
Official of the Year
Awarded – John Carroll (Surrey) – Gymnastics (1999, 2003, 2007 Canada Games)
Female Senior Athlete of the Year
Nominated – Jessica Hewitt (Kamloops) – Speed-Skating (2003 Canada Winter Games)
Team of the Year
Nominated – Nicole and Megan McNamara (Vancouver) – Beach Volleyball (2013 Canada Summer Games
University Athlete of the Year
Awarded – Brad Gunter (Courtenay) – Volleyball (2011 Western Canada Summer Games)
Dan Hamhuis (Smithers) (1999 Canada Winter Games) was also recognized as part of
Men’s Canadian Olympic Hockey Team, recipients of the Best of BC award.
The KidSport Community Champion Award was presented to Team BC alumna and Olympic medallist (Ski Cross) Kesley Serwa (2007 Canada Winter Games) who was the honourary captain of Team BC for the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.
About Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year Awards:
The Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards is the longest standing sport recognition event in Canada. Awards in 18 different categories are given each year to athletes, coaches, and officials for their performance and contribution to sport in our province. The awards play a valuable role in nurturing athletic success and recognizing BC’s growing talents.