Awards
Our annual awards program recognizes the incredible contributions and achievements of our sport’s most dedicated and deserving stakeholders – including athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, partners and more.
AWARD NOMINATIONS
Each year, members of the Canadian speed skating community are invited to submit nominations of deserving individuals for Speed Skating Canada’s awards program. The nominations process is designed to attract a diverse and broad range of eligible nominees, and to be simple enough that anyone can submit a name for consideration.
Nomination Process
Nominations can be submitted using this online form before the deadline of July 31, 2023.
Before submitting a nomination, please consult the award descriptions found on our website to ensure the nominee meets the eligibility and selection criteria. For reference, a list of previous recipients for each award can also be found on on the awards pages.
Selection Process
A panel consisting of the following individuals will be responsible for reviewing all nominations and selecting recipients for each award:
- Speed Skating Canada President
- Speed Skating Canada Athlete Director
- Speed Skating Canada Chief Executive Officer
- PTSO/Club Representative
- External Representative
SSC’s Board of Directors and Advisory Councils will have the opportunity to submit recommendations and offer feedback on nominations to the selection panel for awards within their respective areas.
Award Presentation
This year’s recipients will be unveiled to the speed skating community and general public virtually over the summer. Awards will be presented in-person to recipients during ceremonies at the nearest international event hosted by Speed Skating Canada during the 2023-24 season.
For select award recipients – as detailed in the Awards Information Package – SSC will cover travel and accommodation costs to attend the event closest to the city where they reside. This includes transportation to and from the event location, a hotel room for one night, and a set number of VIP tickets to the event.
HALL OF FAME
A Hall of Fame recognizes the incredible accomplishments and extraordinary lifelong contributions that members of the Canadian speed skating community – including athletes, teams and builders – have had on the sport.
Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame
First established in 1965, the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame honours and recognizes athletes and volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to speed skating in Canada and to ensure that these contributions will be remembered for generations to come. Over 100 individuals have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame as Athletes, Teams or Builders.
Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame
Located in Calgary, Alberta at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame has been a vital cultural institution in Canada for the past 65 years. Over 673 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its establishment in 1955, and as of 2019, the new Order of Sport is awarded as part of induction to Canada’s top athletes and builders for their ongoing role in building Canada through sport.
Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame
The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame recognizes Team Canada Olympians, Coaches and Builders who embody the fundamental principles and values of Olympism with distinction. Since 1949, the Hall of Fame has inducted 438 athletes, teams, coaches, and builders in recognition of their outstanding Olympic achievements and their embodiment of the Olympic values.
ATHLETE AWARDS
Our athlete awards recognize the incredible accomplishments of Canadian speed skaters, who demonstrate an unmatched passion for our sport and work hard both on and off the ice to achieve their goals and inspire those around them.
Short Track Athlete of the Year
First awarded in 1970, the Athlete of the Year Award recognizes athletes who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to success during the season through outstanding performance at national or international competitions, dedication to the team and/or individual training program, continued growth in physical and technical abilities, and demonstration of leadership, integrity, and respect.
Canadian short track skaters are eligible to win either the Nathalie Lambert Award (Female Short Track Athlete of the Year) or the Marc Gagnon Award (Male Short Track Athlete of the Year).
Long Track Athlete of the Year
First awarded in 1970, the Athlete of the Year award recognizes athletes who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to success during the season through outstanding performance at national or international competitions, dedication to the team and/or individual training program, continued growth in physical and technical abilities, and demonstration of leadership, integrity, and respect.
Canadian long track skaters are eligible to win either the Catriona Le May Doan Award (Female Long Track Athlete of the Year) or the Jeremy Wotherspoon Award (Male Long Track Athlete of the Year).
Community Champion of the Year
The Athlete Impact Award for Community Champion of the Year recognizes an athlete whose impact on their community positively influences those around them both on and off ice. Established in 2022, this award recognizes an athlete’s contributions to sport and the broader community, in alignment with Speed Skating Canada’s values.
Peter Williamson Memorial Bursary
The Peter Williamson Memorial Bursary awards two bursaries of $1,500 each to deserving and promising National Team or Development Team speed skaters who best combine athletic and scholastic achievements. Since its establishment in 1992, the bursary has supported the educational pursuits of over 70 athletes, many of whom have gone on to represent Canada on the World Cup circuit and at the Olympic Games.
COACHES AWARDS
Our coaches awards recognize the tremendous impact of speed skating coaches, who dedicate countless hours of their time to help athletes reach their potential and develop valuable lifelong skills, both on and off the ice.
Coach of the Year
The Jack Walters Award for Coach of the Year is presented to a coach who has demonstrated sustained leadership within the coaching environment, at either the grassroots or high performance level, along with meaningful, long-term involvement on the club, regional, provincial or national stages.
Coaches Award of Excellence
The Coaches Award of Excellence is awarded to those who have made meaningful contributions to the sport of speed skating in the role of coach.
OFFICIALS AWARDS
Our officials awards recognize the contributions and efforts made by speed skating officials, who volunteer their time both on and off the ice to ensure a safe and fair competition environment for all participants.
Official of the Year
The René Marleau Award for Official of the Year is presented to an official who has displayed sustained leadership within the officiating environment and demonstrated meaningful, long-term involvement at the club, regional, provincial or national level.
Official Award of Excellence
The Guy Marcoux Officials Award of Excellence is awarded to those who have made meaningful contributions to the sport of speed skating in the role of official.
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Our community awards recognize the invaluable contributions of speed skating’s unsung heroes – volunteers, families, partners and clubs – who work tirelessly to help our sport grow and thrive in communities across the country.
Volunteer of the Year
The Jean Grenier Award for Volunteer of the Year is bestowed upon a volunteer or administrator who has made invaluable contributions to the betterment of speed skating in Canada. Winners of this award are unsung heroes who work tirelessly in delivering competitions, clinics, programs or events to help increase awareness, promote participation and foster athlete development.
Family of the Year
The Gagné Family Award for Family of the Year honours the family legacies that run through the Canadian speed skating community and is bestowed upon a family whose members have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.
Partner of the Year
The Sport Champion Award for Partner of the Year is presented to a partner that champions the power of sport in local communities and demonstrates sustained commitment to advancing speed skating at the club, regional, provincial, or national level.
Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award
The Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award distributes $20,000 in grants each season to local speed skating clubs undertaking grassroots development initiatives that help the sport grow and thrive within their community.