Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connection

By Tanner Smith

2024 Northwest Alberta Sports Excellence award recipients

Apr 15, 2024 | 1:13 PM

The winners of the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection’s 2024 Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence awards were announced at a ceremony at Clarkson Hall on Friday, April 12.

Two new categories were added this year, the Junior Official of the Year award, and the Spirit of Sport award.

Thirteen athletes, community members, and teams were honoured, all from a variety of different sports:

Female Athlete of the Year:

• Reeghan Funk – Multisport
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

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Male Athlete of the Year:

• Emmanual Iloka – Basketball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Outstanding Official of the Year:

• Wayne Zack – Basketball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Coach of the Year:

• Shane Zehya – Volleyball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Unsung Hero/Volunteer of the Year:

• Cathy Craipley- Hockey
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Spirit of Sport:

• Grande Prairie Storm – Hockey
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Development Coach of the Year:

• Dennis Farn – Basketball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect
• Leeana Graham- Volleyball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Team of the Year:

• Grande Prairie Piranhas Swim Club – Swimming
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Junior Male Athlete of the Year:

• Deng Ngor – Basketball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Junior Female Athlete of the Year:

• Awein Ngor – Volleyball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Sport Builder:

• Gerald Hafner – Bowling
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Event of the Year:

• AA Reds – Baseball
  Photo Courtesy Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connect

Residents were invited to nominate individuals for these awards back in January, with the Regional Sport Connection reviewing each nomination to decide this year’s winners.