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As with many other celebrations and events this past year, the 2021 Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence Awards were handed out virtually on Friday evening (Photo: Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection)
By Shaun Penner
Sports Excellence Celebrated

Dedication, achievements celebrated as 2021 Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence Awards handed out

Mar 13, 2021 | 10:40 AM

Athletes, coaches and officials were celebrated for their achievements at the 2021 Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence Awards, which were presented virtually on Friday evening by the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection (GPRSC).

Despite the pandemic’s impact on the sports world over the last year, Executive Director of the GPRSC Karna Germsheid says it was important to recognize the commitment of those involved in the sporting community in the Peace Country as they overcame much adversity.

“Like we’ve said before, coaches are still coaching and volunteers are still working hard and grinding away to make things happen for people in the region.”

Big night for the Piranhas Swim Club

The Grande Prairie Piranhas Swim Club had a big night at the event, as they were represented by three award winners. One of those was for Female Athlete of the Year Catherine Minic.

The 17-year-old Minic is in her final year with the Piranhas and is set to join the University of Indiana of the NCAA next season. Minic, who recently received an award recognizing her as the Top 1 Canadian Youth by Swim Alberta, has also been invited to compete at the Swimming Canada Olympic trials next month.

READ MORE: Grande Prairie’s Catherine Minic invited to Team Canada Olympic swimming trials

The Coach of the Year award went to Piranhas’ coach Alex Dawson. The club says Dawson has increased competitive membership in the Club from about 60 members to just over 120 members since joining the club in 2015.

The Club’s Learn to Swim Program has also increased from 100 swimmers in 2015 to 350 swimmers, pre-pandemic, making the Piranhas one of the largest Swim Clubs operating in Alberta.

“While swimming is an individual sport, it takes the efforts of a team of swimmers, coaches, and parents to bring us to this point,” said Dawson, following his award win. “I am really proud of the work of the Club to make the Grande Prairie Piranhas one of the fastest growing and most successful clubs in our province.”

The club was also represented by Junior Male Athlete of the Year Jacob Farnsworth, who does his aquatic training with the club as a Triathlete. Farnsworth is a part of the Team Alberta Development Team, a featured athlete for Triathlon Alberta, and “a tireless fundraiser for many causes” according to the club. Farnsworth is also a member of the Endorphin Cycling and Triathlon Club.

“This evening is evidence of the depth of excellence that exists within the Grande Prairie Piranhas Swim Club,” said James Robinson, President of the Piranhas Swim Club. “The team as a whole, our individual athletes, and our coaches are focused on the pursuit of excellence. I am proud of the work our coaches and swimmers do, especially in pandemic-conditions, to remain focused on continuous improvement individually, and as a whole.”

Male Athlete of the Year

As for Male Athlete of the Year, that was given to UBC Okanagan Basketball player Gavin Ashworth.

The Beaverlodge product and Grande Prairie Composite High School grad is in his first season with the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Heat in Kelowna.

“It is rare for a basketball player from our zone to move right from high school to the university level, but Gavin has made that jump this year and will continue to have success simply due to his work ethic,” said the GPRSC of his nomination.

Outstanding Official

The award for Outstanding Official was given to football referee Greg Remple.

Remple is a very recognizable face in the football community in the Grande Prairie area, as he has been refereeing at all levels of the game for 38 years. He has served as the head official for the Grande Prairie Football Officials Association for about 25 years.

“He is a big part of the growth of football in our region and his love for the game and the many years of dedication has had a positive impact on our football community that will be felt for years to come,” said the GPRSC

Unsung Hero

The Unsung Hero Award went to Christopher Draves, the Team Manager for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at GPRC.

Draves has been a part of the Wolves basketball program for the past decade.

“(Draves) will always prioritize what the team needs first, regardless of the numerous sacrifices of his time and efforts that he has consistently made. Draves is a signature member of the GPRC Basketball program, through his unmatched loyalty and commitment.”

Developmental Coach of the Year

The Developmental Coach of the Year award was given to Eva Von Hertzberg, the Program Coordinator and Head Coach for the trampoline and tumbling program at Grande Prairie Gymnastics and Cheerleading.

As per her nomination, Von Hertzberg has stayed on top of ever-changing public health restrictions to maximize every available moment in the gym.

When that was not possible, she organized classes by zoom, created personal training plans and “consistently made herself available to the athletes and their families”.

“Eva spends countless hours familiarizing herself with new content, networking with other programs & participating in professional development opportunities to enhance the program & experience for all athletes,” said the GPRSC. “With the cancelation of the majority of the Competition season for 2020, Eva has continued to keep her athletes engaged and prepared for what lies ahead.”

Team of the Year

The Team of the Year award went to the Grande Prairie Gymniks Ambush Cheerleading Team.

Despite seeing their overall number of teammates decrease from 18 to 11, the club was able to find a great deal of success, including at the following events:

  • Cold Snap Classic, All Star Division – Gold
  • Pacific Allstar Championships (PAC) Battle of Champions – Gold
  • At PAC received a Gold Bid invitation to attend US Finals – Showcasing the best teams from Canada and US
  • At PAC featured as Varsity Spirit All Star “Team To Watch” – being awarded one of the top scores across all divisions
  • True North Cheer Championship, All Star Division – Silver
  • US Finals Championship, All Star Division – Gold

Junior Female Athlete of the Year

The Junior Female Athlete of the Year was given to Judo standout Sydney Kinderwater.

Training out of the GP Martial Arts Club, Kinderwater is also a member of the Judo Alberta provincial team. Kinderwater also found success at several events including:

  • Gold medal at the February 2020 Alberta Winter Games in Airdrie
  • Gold medal at the Edmonton International Competition at WEM in Edmonton for U18 -57kg
  • Silver medal at the Elite National Championships in Montreal.
  • Awarded the Stephanie Kerr Memorial Award, awarded to a Judoka who exemplifies the “SPIRIT” of Judo by Judo Alberta
  • Awarded Most Improved Judoka for 19/20 by Judo Alberta.
  • 5th place finish at the Edmonton International Competition at WEM in Edmonton for Senior Women Division -57kg
  • Invited to relocate to Lethbridge by Judo Alberta to train at their Western Canada High Performance Judo Training Centre

Sport Builder

The last, but certainly not least award, was given to Melissa Poirier for Sport Builder of the Year.

Poirier has been involved with the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club for 15 years developing, organizing, and leading the Women’s Cross Country Ski Program, Chicks on Sticks.

“Under her leadership and with her enthusiasm the program has taught and trained hundreds of women athletes. Melissa positively impacts our community by introducing participants to a lifelong sport and benefitting them through health and fitness.”

The full list of all those who were nominated can be found here.

by Shaun Penner