For Immediate Release – March 8, 2024 (Vancouver, BC)
Sport BC celebrated the 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The event was hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell recognizing the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their 2023 sport season. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial or Multi-Sport Organization, High School, College, or University. The Selection Committee, led by long-serving Chair Bernie Pascall, included a diverse group of highly experienced British Columbia sport leaders and media members.
“The 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards celebrated sport in our BC at all levels. We were inspired by the sport stories of all of our finalists, the category winners, and the organizations they represent”, shared Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman. “We are proud to bring the amateur sport community together and thank you guests, sponsors, and friends in sport.”
“This ceremony underscores that we have a lot to be proud of in our sport sector,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Congratulations to all the finalists of this year’s awards. We are proud to cast the spotlight on all your achievements. Your success is a source of community pride and a testament to your passion and dedication to sport excellence that inspires others and makes our province shine.”
Sport BC congratulates all the Athlete of the Year Awards’ Recipients:
Athlete with a Disability
Mel Pemble (Victoria, BC) – Para Cycling (Track)
Female Coach of the Year
Jane Gumley (Victoria, BC)
Male Coach of the Year
Dylan Armstrong (Kamloops, BC)
High School Female Athlete of the Year
Keira Pemberton (Langley, BC)
High School Male Athlete of the Year
Nash Semeniuk (Kelowna, BC) – Basketball and Volleyball (Kelowna Secondary)
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Emmy Lan (Comox, BC) – Cycling
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Nicholas Bennett (Parksville, BC) – Para Swimming
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Camryn Rogers (Richmond, BC) – Athletics
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Ethan Katzberg (Nanaimo, BC) – Athletics
Post Secondary Athlete of the Year
Rowan Hamilton (Chilliwack, BC) – Athletics
Team of the Year
Trinity Western University Men’s Volleyball Team
Master Athlete of the Year
Malindi Elmore (Kelowna, BC) – Athletics
Official of the Year
Trevor Walmsley (Vancouver, BC) – Karate
An additional six awards were presented including the Best of BC, KidSport BC Community Champion, Harry Jerome Comeback, Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and In Her Footsteps Honourees.
Best of BC
Nick Taylor – Golf
KidSport Community Champion
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Harry Jerome Comeback Award
Garrett Rooker – UBC Football
Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award
Joe Higgins – Wheelchair Basketball
BC Women and Sport (formerly) ProMOTION Plus
In Her Footsteps…Celebrating BC Women in Sport
Marni Abbott – BC Wheelchair Basketball
Melissa Soligo – Curling
Bobbie Steen Legacy Foundation Award
Stacy Fournier – Baseball/Softball
Thank you to our generous sponsors, your support makes the Athlete of the Year Awards possible!
About Sport BC
Sport BC believes in the power of sport and is committed to building stronger communities through positive sport experiences. Our goal is to enhance and support sport participation in British Columbia ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our KidSport BC, BC Amateur Sport Fund, and ProMOTION Plus along with our services Sport BC Insurance, and Payroll and Group Benefits; Sport BC supports our sixty plus member organizations. Keep up to date @SportBC
Athlete of the Year Awards Media Contact
Thursday, March 7, 2024 Allison Mailer
@SportBC Sport BC, VP Operations
#SportBC56thAOY allison.mailer@sportbc.com
778-839-8576