It was a stellar night for Canada’s Alpine Ski Team at Sport BC’s 44th annual Athlete of the Year Awards presented by TELUS, with Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC), Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Vancouver, BC) and Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver BC) each recognized for their achievements in amateur sport this past season.
Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC), who retired from the national team last week after 13 seasons, received the Community Champion award. Over the course of her career, she has been a supporter of children’s charities such as KidSport and Right to Play and in 2006 established the “Emily Brydon Youth Foundation”to provide financial assistance to Elk Valley youth who would not otherwise have the funds to pursue their athletic, educational and artistic aspirations.
“I have never been bestowed a greater honour than that of the Community Champion Award. I am a strong believer in “paying it forward”. I have been given amazing opportunities, support and inspiration throughout my career and I wish to help the next generation. Every child deserves a chance to dream and believe,” said Brydon.
Osborne-Paradis, who won two World Cup races in Lake Louise, AB and Val Gardena, ITA, took home BC’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year award at the event last night in Richmond, BC.
“This award means a lot to me, it is an honor to be recognized as one of the top athletes in BC. When you hear your name announced it is definitely a cool feeling and it’s an added bonus to everything else. It also tells you that you must be doing something right and that you are going in the right direction in your career,” said Osborne-Paradis, 26, who finished a career best in the downhill, super-G and overall World Cup standings last season and won his first GMC Canadian Championship title in downhill just over a week ago.
Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver, BC), who won a record five gold medals at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler, BC last month, won the 2010 Paralympian award sponsored by Resort Municipality of Whistler.
“I definitely accomplished more than I expected at the 2010 Paralympic Games. I knew I had it in me because I medaled in all these events in IPC World Cup and in the (Paralympic) Games before. The biggest thing was repeating it day after day with the hectic schedule that we had. But I am obviously really happy and very honoured to receive this award,” said the 28-year-old Woolstencroft, who became the most decorated female athlete from any country at a single Winter Paralympic Games. She also led Canada’s Para-Alpine Team to a record 13 medals at the 2010 Paralympics.
Sport BC celebrated the best of BC’s amateur athletes in an award ceremony at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond, BC. Athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials from across the province were recognized with awards from 20 distinct categories, celebrating the recipients’ achievements and dedication to sport over the past year.
The Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards is the longest running sport recognition program in Canada. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial Sport Organization, high school, or university and voted on by a selection committee of BC sportswriters, broadcasters, athletes and amateur sport experts.
