Nominees and award recipients pose for a photo at the 2020 Northwest Albert Sports Excellence Awards. Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

By Abby Zieverink

March 18

Officials gear up for in-person 2022 Northwest Alberta Sports Excellence Awards

Mar 18, 2022 | 5:00 AM

Recipients of the Northwestern Alberta Sport Excellence Awards will be announced Friday evening.

This is the first time since 2020 the annual event has been held in person, which recognizes athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers who go above and beyond in their sport throughout northwestern Alberta will be held in person.

Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection Executive Director Karna Germsheid says after two long years of hosting the event virtually, they are eager to have everyone back in person.

“Last year it went super well, we had great attendance and really high-quality nominees, but the virtual events don’t seem to be as well for connecting with people, so we are super excited,” she explained.

Germsheid says 34 individuals have been nominated for awards this year.

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“They (nominations) are a little lower this year, about 20 nominations less than we usually get; but that was expected because a lot of people didn’t have full seasons or were not able to compete during the year 2021.”

Despite the lower number of nominees, Germsheid explains that despite the lower number of nominees, the ones that came through this year are “top-notch.”

“We are excited at even getting that number, it just goes to show that there’s consistent work being done out in the community, whether people were meeting in person or not,” she added.

A selection committee of five to six people from across the region vote on the categories for both High-Performance Awards, as well as Community Awards.

• High-Performance Awards: Female and Male Athlete of the Year, Junior Female and Male Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the year.
• Community Awards: Developmental Coach of the Year, Outstanding Official, Sport Builder, Unsung Hero, Sport Event of the Year, Community Sportsmanship Award.

“Those winners are recognized through our social media network they get to walk the red carpet at the event if they are a winner and all nominees are part of the production and bio from the event.”

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18 at Evergreen Park.