In 2007, Wheelchair Basketball Canada introduced the annual awards banquet. The awards are designed to acknowledge the achievements of our athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers, and to inspire and encourage the growth of our sport within Canada. Wheelchair basketball in Canada has a rich and vibrant history and these awards are intended to showcase that history while building tradition.
As we celebrate the excellence of these individuals, we are reminded that these people play an integral role in the success of the organization and enable us to move toward our vision of becoming the world leader in wheelchair basketball.
The individuals exemplify fair play and sportsmanship while committing to values of inclusion. They are leaders in their communities, positive role models and they display superior performance in their respective disciplines. These awards are the membership’s opportunity to nominate and recognize individuals for their contributions within their respective communities.
Award Categories
Junior Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to a male or female junior age athlete who has exemplified outstanding athletic excellence and achievements.
The nominee must be a wheelchair basketball athlete, able-bodied or with a disability, and be a member in good standing with their affiliated province or territory. The nominee must have demonstrated excellence in wheelchair basketball by exemplifying fair play, sportsmanship, superior performance in major competitions and a commitment to training at the provincial, national and/or international level.
Female Athlete of the Year presented by Grosso Hooper Law
This award is presented to a female athlete who has exemplified outstanding athletic excellence and achievements.
The nominee must be a wheelchair basketball female athlete, able-bodied or with a disability, and be a member in good standing with their affiliated province or territory. The nominee must have demonstrated excellence in wheelchair basketball by exemplifying fair play, sportsmanship, superior performance in major competitions and a commitment to training at the provincial, national or international level.
Male Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to a male athlete who has exemplified outstanding athletic excellence and achievements.
The nominee must be a wheelchair basketball male athlete, able bodied or with a disability, and be a member in good standing with their affiliated province or territory. The nominee must have demonstrated excellence in wheelchair basketball by exemplifying fair play, sportsmanship, superior performance in major competition and a commitment to training at the provincial, national or international level.
True Sport Award
This award is presented to the individual who exemplifies the principles of True Sport. The nominee values play that is healthy, fair, inclusive, and fun.
The nominee must be a member in good standing with their affiliated province or territory.
Leadership Excellence Award
This award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the traits of an outstanding leader within their respective organization, province, region, and/or team.
The nominee can be involved at any level and in any capacity of wheelchair basketball within Canada. The contributions do not have a time frame and the individual may no longer assume the role.
Nomination Process
Each year, Wheelchair Basketball Canada will announce a call for nominations for the Awards & Hall of Fame program. Nominators must complete the appropriate nomination forms and submit them to the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Program Coordinator by the deadline.
Nomination forms will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and the award winners will be announced at the annual awards banquet, which takes place in conjunction with the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League (CWBL) National Championship.