The Canadian Sport Awards were established in 1972 by modern day co-founders True Sport, Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport, Canada Games Council, Commonwealth Sport Canada, and AthletesCAN to recognize and showcase excellence in Canadian sport. Since then, the CSA evolved over time to become the premier recognition event for national sporting excellence. After the 40th anniversary, the awards experienced a five-year hiatus. In 2017, AthletesCAN successfully acquired the rights to revive this staple event to once again bring together members of the sport community to honour the spirit, drive, and commitment of Canada’s international level athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sport leaders.
Past recipients include including Canadian sport icons Donovan Bailey, Chantal Petitclerc, Hayley Wickenheiser, Mark Tewksbury, Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir, Simon Whitfield, and Catriona Le May Doan, among many others.
“As part of our mandate, AthletesCAN is excited to celebrate and acknowledge the impact of the achievements our athletes and sport leaders have on society. Their contribution deserves national and formal acknowledgement. This act of appreciation is integral to recognizing that the role our athletes play is centrally important to the Canadian collective on and off the field of play. The Canadian Sport Awards will once again provide that platform to share the stories of greatness, determination, selflessness, and persistence in the face of grueling obstacles that sport can create. We hope that the rest of Canada will join us in celebrating our love for the power of sport.”
Award Categories & History
Over nearly 50 years of history, the Canadian Sport Awards have recognized various former categories in performance, leadership and corporate excellence. As the completion of our archives remains a work in progress, if you have a correction or an addition, please email: Jacob Morris, Coordinator, Digital Media and Communications ([email protected]).
AthletesCAN Social Responsibility Award
This award honours a current or retired national team athlete who used their platform to make a positive impact in their sport or community at the local, national, or international level. This award recognizes the significant contributions of an athlete leader in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, community, volunteer and/or social change initiatives. The award’s legacy now also includes the history of the Inclusion: Obliterating Barriers Award.
Specific Criteria:
- This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime.
- This award must be presented to a current or retired national team athlete.
| YEAR | NAME | SPORT | AWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Phyllis Ellis | Field Hockey | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2022 | Shaquille Murray-Lawrence | Bobsleigh | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2021 | Mandy Bujold | Boxing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2020 | Hayley Wickenheiser | Hockey | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| Quinn | Soccer | Inclusion | |
| 2019 | Evan Dunfee | Athletics | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| Michael Linklater | Basketball | Inclusion | |
| 2018 | Mark Tewksbury | Swimming | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| Billy Bridges / Sami Jo Small | Hockey | Inclusion | |
| 2017 | Brad Spence | Alpine Skiing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2016 | Chandra Crawford | Nordic Skiing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2015 | Jane (Rumball) Thornton | Rowing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2014 | Kyle Shewfelt | Gymnastics | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2013 | Kyle Miller | Lacrosse | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2012 | Philippe Beaudry | Fencing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2011 | Jennifer Heil | Freestyle Skiing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2010 | Clara Hughes | Speed Skating / Cycling | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| 2009 | Adam Kreek | Rowing | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
| Andrew Haley | Swimming | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility | |
| Scott Fraser-Dauphinee | Basketball | AthletesCAN Social Responsibility |
True Sport Award
The True Sport Award recognizes an inspirational Canadian citizen who exemplifies true sport values of fairness, excellence, inclusion, and fun in a meaningful way. Through the pursuit of sporting excellence this Canadian hero showcases dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others, and a true love of sport.
Specific Criteria:
- This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime.
- This award must be presented to a Canadian citizen.
| YEAR | NAME | SPORT |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Michael Woods | Cycling |
| 2022 | Molly Carlson | High Diving |
| 2021 | Evan Dunfee | Athletics |
| 2020 | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | Football |
| 2019 | Christine Sinclair | Soccer |
| 2018 | Jill Officer | Curling |
#AthleteVoice Award: Rep of the Year
The #AthleteVoice Award – Rep of the Year recognizes the significant contributions of an athlete representative within their national sport organization, multi-sport organization or international sport organization. The athlete representation movement is only as good as the athletes chosen by their teammates to effect positive change. This award highlights the initiative, courage, and leadership of these individuals.
Specific Criteria:
- This award must be presented to a current or retired national team athlete who was an official athlete representative, Athletes’ Council/Commission member, and/or Athlete Director within a national, international, or multi-sport organization within the Qualifying Period.
- The nominator must be involved in the rep’s respective organization as an athlete, administrator, volunteer, or director.
| YEAR | NAME | SPORT |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canadian Soccer Players Association | Soccer |
| 2022 | Cynthia Appiah | Bobsleigh |
| 2021 | Karen Paquin | Rugby |
| 2020 | Celina Toth | Diving |
| 2019 | Beckie Scott | Cross-Country Skiing / WADA Athlete Council |
| 2018 | Inaki Gomez | Athletics |
Bruce Kidd Leadership Award
The Bruce Kidd Leadership Award is presented annually to a retired national team athlete, sport leader, or organization, who has provided meaningful contributions to the betterment of sport as a leader, advocate, change agent, or builder. This award highlights the ground breaking work that contributed to the betterment of sport through inspirational leadership, innovative practices, and/or positive influence on the Canadian sport sector.
The award is named in honour of 1968 Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Bruce Kidd, who has made enormous contributions to Canada’s sporting community as an athlete, advocate, author, historian, and academic. The award’s legacy now also includes the history of both the AthletesCAN Leadership Award and the Leadership in Sport Award..
Specific Criteria:
- This award must be presented to a retired national team athlete, sport leader who represents a national sport organization, or an organization at the national or provincial level.
- Eligible sport leaders must represent a national organization working for the betterment of Canadian sport.
- Eligible organizations include those that operate at a national or provincial level and whose mandate includes the betterment of Canadian sport.
- This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime for individual recipients.
- This award can be presented to an organization more than once provided the contributions noted within subsequent nominations differ from those in any previous win.
| YEAR | NAME | SPORT | AWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jane Roos | Canadian Athletes Now Fund | Bruce Kidd |
| 2022 | Seyi Smith | Bobsleigh & Athletics | Bruce Kidd |
| 2021 | Jennifer Heil | Freestyle Skiing | Bruce Kidd |
| 2020 | Marnie McBean | Rowing | Bruce Kidd |
| Jean Laroche | Para Athletics (Coach) | Leadership in Sport | |
| 2019 | Stephanie Dixon | Para Swimming | Bruce Kidd |
| Michael Slipchuk | Skate Canada | Leadership in Sport | |
| 2018 | Chandra Crawford | Cross-Country Skiing | Bruce Kidd |
| Michele O’Keefe | Canada Basketball | Leadership in Sport | |
| 2017 | Claire Carver-Dias | Artistic Swimming | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2016 | Chantal Petitclerc | Para Athletics | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2015 | Curt Harnett | Cycling | AhletesCAN Leadership |
| 2014 | Todd Nicholson | Para Hockey | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2013 | Chairmaine Crooks | Athletics | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2012 | Mark Tewksbury | Swimming | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2011 | Michael Smith | Wrestling | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| Tom Quinn | N/A | Leadership in Sport | |
| 2010 | Nathalie Lambert | Speed Skating | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2009 | Sami Jo Small | Hockey | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2008 | Iain Brambell | Rowing | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2007 | Bobby Milroy | Badminton | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2006 | Beckie Scott | Cross-Country Skiing | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2005 | Lori Johnstone | Racquetball | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2005 | Lilo Ljubisic | Athletetice | AthletesCAN Leadership |
| 2005 | Mark Lowry | COC | Leadership in Sport |
| 1998 | Greg Edelow | Wrestling | Bruce Kidd |
| 1997 | Jean-Pierre Cantin | Judo | Bruce Kidd |
| 1996 | Curt Harnett | Cycling | Bruce Kidd |
| 1995 | Charmaine Crooks | Athletics | Bruce Kidd |
People's Choice Award: Most Trending Moment of the Year
Created in 2020, the Most Trending Moment Award honours a current or retired national team athlete who has captured the virtual world by storm. This award highlights the magic that lives within sport to inspire and motivate all Canadians through innovative use of a digital platform, captivating athletic performance, or who’s digital actions have been a force for good.
In 2018 and 2019, the award recognized the Performance of the Year.
| YEAR | NAME | SPORT |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Santiago 2023 Women’s Goalball Team | Goalball |
| 2022 | 3×3 Basketball | 2022 Commonwealth Games |
| 2021 | Women’s Soccer Team | Olympic Gold Medal |
| 2020 | Danielle Kisser | Para Swimming – DIY Pool |
| 2019 | Bianca Andreescu | Tennis |
| 2018 | Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir | Figure Skating |
Randy Starkman Award for Leadership in Sports Journalism
for Leadership in Sports Journalism was initially created in 2012, following the sudden passing of its namesake just a few months prior, who served as a long-time Toronto Star amateur sports reporter and advocate. The award recognizes the extraordinary career and unparalleled contributions of the late Randy Starkman in telling the stories of Canadian athletes and sport for over 30 years from an athletes’ perspective. This award will serve as an ongoing recognition of his legacy and will be a call to action to inspire current and future Canadian sports journalists to strive for the kind of sports journalism that he demonstrated throughout his career.Specific Criteria:
- This award must be presented to a Canadian journalist or current and/or retired athlete (whose sport qualifies for AthletesCAN membership) pursuing a career in journalism.
- Eligible candidates are permitted to win the award more than once in their lifetime.
- Eligible candidates must be well-respected within the industry and sport, maintaining integrity and humility within their work and throughout their career.
- The eligible work must cover the stories of Canadian athletes who represent sports under the qualification of AthletesCAN membership.
| YEAR | NAME | Media Outlet |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sean Fitz-Gerald | National Post/The Canadian Press/Toronto Star/The Athletic |
| 2022 | Lori Ewing | The Canadian Press |
| 2012 | Randy Starkman (accepted by Thomas Hall, Canoe/Kayak) | Toronto Star |
For all other former CSA categories, click here.
Athlete Support Award
The Athlete Support Award recognizes a Canadian citizen, charity, or business who has made significant contributions to supporting Team Canada athletes off the field of play. This award recognizes the significant contributions of those individuals and groups who work to ensure Team Canada athletes have the resources necessary to succeed in their athletic endeavours.
Specific Criteria:
- This award must be presented to a national team athlete, retired national team athlete, a sport leader who
represents a national organization, or an organization at the national or provincial level. - This award can be presented to an individual only once in their lifetime for individual recipients;
- This award can be presented to an organization more than once provided the contributions noted within subsequent nominations differ from those in any previous win