Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Awards - Announcement of Winners

Lethbridge, Alberta: The Lethbridge Sport Council is honoured to announce​ 15 exceptional recipients ​of the annual ​Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Awards for their significant achievements and contributions to the Lethbridge community in 2022. These awards celebrate excellence​ and fair play on and off the field and are a testament to the hard work and dedication of each recipient.

Lethbridge Sport Council Executive Director, Susan Eymann said, "We extend a huge thank you to all the nominators for taking the time to recognize and submit nominations. It is because of your efforts that we are able to celebrate the many fabulous sport achievements in our community. All the winners serve as role models for aspiring athletes, coaches, ​officials, ​and leaders, and we hope their achievements will continue to inspire others to pursue excellence in their own endeavours."

We are pleased to announce the 2022 Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Award winners.

• Junior Female Athlete - Payton Shields
• Senior Female Athlete - Kacie Bosch and Paige Crozen
• Senior Male Athlete - Coby Iwaasa
• Special Olympics - Naomi Leam
• Amateur Team - University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 4x100m Medley Relay Swim Team
• Coaching Excellence High Performance - Peter Schori
• Coaching Excellence Community Coach - Rob Wood
• Officiating Excellence - Lindsey Ducharme
• Volunteer in Sport - Peter Kremenik
• Business and Sport Excellence - Stranville Living Master Builder
• Dr. Gary Bowie Sport Event Excellence - ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival
• Sport Administrator - David Zeeb
• Knud Petersen Spirit in Sport - Chad Chief Moon
• Servus Credit Union Outstanding Sport Citizen - Kieran Mattice

Award ceremony information:

• Thursday April 6th, doors open 6:00 PM, program 7:00 PM
• ENMAX Centre, Canadian Western Bank Lounge
• Tickets: $20.00 (youth $10)

To purchase tickets visit https://lethbridgesportcouncil...

For further information, please contact:

Tanya Whipple
Communication Manager, Lethbridge Sport Council
[email protected]
403-320-9371

Junior Female Athlete - Payton Shields
Payton is a promising wrestler who has achieved much at a young age. She won the 2022 female wrestling provincial championship for the Alberta Schools Athletic Association, contributing to her team's 3A ASAA Girls Team Champions banner. As a grade 10 student, Payton was the youngest female wrestler of Team Alberta at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, helping them win the bronze medal. Payton's success continued with silver medals in the 61 KG class at the 2022 National Team Trials and Cadet National Championships.

Senior Female Athlete(s) - Kacie Bosch and Paige Crozen
Kacie and Paige, representing Lethbridge, along with the Plouffe twins from Edmonton, dominated the 2022 FIBA World Basketball 3x3 Women's Series after winning three of the five international events including a silver medal at the World Cup. With an impressive record of 25 wins and only three losses, they established themselves as a force to be reckoned within the world of international 3x3 basketball representing Canada as our national champions.

Senior Male Athlete - Coby Iwaasa
Coby and his partner Sam Murray dominated the Men's Doubles event at the 2022 Pan Am Championships, emerging as the champions. Coby continued his winning streak at the World Racquetball Championships, where he clinched a bronze medal in doubles, and a silver medal in the team event.

Special Olympics - Naomi Leam
Naomi is a dedicated member of the Special Olympics' competitive/high performance swimming group, also swimming with the Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club. Her impressive athletic accomplishments include competing in two Special Olympic provincial games, the Western Canada Summer Games, and two Canada Summer Games. She won silver at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in the 50m freestyle by taking five seconds off her preliminary time. Naomi's sportsmanship is commendable, always leading everyone in cheering and keeping her competitors motivated to do their best. Beyond competing, Naomi also advocates for her fellow athletes at regular fundraisers and events to raise awareness for Special Olympians.

Amateur Team - University of Lethbridge Pronghorns - 4x100m Medley Relay Men’s Swim team
At the 2022 USport Swimming Championships, the men's 4x100m medley relay team comprising of Apollo Hess, Parker Brown, Raine Arden, and Chris Alexander, delivered a historic performance, securing the gold medal and etching their names in the records of USport swimming history, as well as being on the first Pronghorn swim team to win national medals since 2005.

Coaching Excellence High Performance - Peter Schori
Peter has been an instrumental part of the Pronghorns swim team since 2012, leading the program to become a top contender on the national stage. The 2022 Pronghorn swim team achieved a Canadian record, two provincial records, nine school records, earned four All-Canadian awards, qualifying 11 swimmers for the USPORTS championships winning an impressive six medals. For his outstanding coaching, Peter was awarded the prestigious title of Canada West Men's Coach of the Year.

Coaching Excellence Community Coach - Rob Wood
For 25 years, Rob Wood has been a fundamental figure in the volleyball community of southern Alberta. He has achieved significant success as a coach, leading several middle school, high school, club, and provincial teams to championships. However, Rob's impact extends beyond his personal accomplishments. His player development program is renowned in the Lethbridge volleyball community that has produced elite-level athletes. Without Rob’'s contributions, the level of play and progression to higher levels would not be as remarkable as it is today.

Officiating Excellence - Lindsey Ducharme
Lindsey is a dedicated and respected hockey official in the south zone. She has earned a spot on the central zone USport officiating roster in Calgary. Lindsey officiates at the highest levels of men's and women's hockey in our zone, including women's USport and U 17 and U18 AAA, and men's senior AA. As the Female Development Coordinator for the south zone, she is committed to mentoring and developing both grassroots and elite female officials.

Volunteer in Sport - Peter Kremenik
Peter's commitment to the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association since 2011 is admirable. He gained knowledge and experience in the sport as a skater, part-time coach, and technical official. Always willing to help, Peter served on the club board as treasurer, reorganizing finances, and procuring equipment while securing grants. He also provided IT support, established safety mat standards, and taught new members how to care for their equipment as club equipment manager. Peter played a key role in starting the skinsuit rental program and initiated a summer mountain bike training group. The club is lucky to have such a dedicated and versatile member.

Business and Sport Excellence - Stranville Living Master Builder
In 2022, Stranville Living Master Builder made the largest donation in KidSport Lethbridge and Taber's history by building the KidSport house and securing donations from 29 subcontractors. The donation of $70,030 to KidSport will help at least 281 kids in Lethbridge access sports. Stranville has a history of supporting the sports community, having many employees give back by coaching sports.

Dr. Gary Bowie Sport Event Excellence - 2022 ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival (Diane Randell, Karen Johnson, Chris McLean, Deb Stephen, Trish Jackson, Valerie McQuiad, Geri Hecker, Tymmarah Mackie, Todd Brown, Don Robb)
The ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival is a community event that has been bringing dragon boaters together since 2001. Held on the shores of Henderson Lake, the festival has grown to over 1,200 participants, 15,000 attendees, and 200 volunteers, and has become the premier dragonboat festival in Western Canada. The festival is hosted by a committee supported by four Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge and a host of volunteers. The 20th anniversary of the festival was celebrated in 2022.

Sport Administrator - David Zeeb
David's hard work and dedication as founding president of the Lethbridge Badminton Club has been integral to its success. He gained non-profit status, secured courts, and built a website enabling junior and adult players to receive coaching and play badminton weekly. David's effective communication with members and the community has been vital, and he makes all players feel welcome and valued. His determination to make badminton accessible to all has seen the club grow to over 100 members in seven months. David is also a youth coach and facilitator of adult and youth recreational court time.

Knud Petersen Spirit in Sport - Chad Chief Moon
Chad has overcome adversity and is now dedicated to providing positive sport experiences for youth of all ages and backgrounds. He is passionate about any sports activity that promotes an active lifestyle and is always cheering and encouraging others. He is now able to share his love for sport through his work with Lethbridge Sport Council, Spirit North, Tribal Sport Youth Development, Crowsnest Pass Ravens Lacrosse Association and as the Recreation and Parks Kainai Minor Hockey Coordinator. Despite challenges, Chad continues to pave the way for Indigenous peoples and shares lessons he's learned from his experiences and ancestors.

Servus Credit Union Outstanding Sport Citizen - Kieran Mattice
Kieran is a remarkable student-athlete who values volleyball, his team, school, and people. He strives to perform at his best and supports his teammates' pursuit of excellence, communicating well with them and coaches. He treats opponents and officials with respect, as exemplified when he thanked scorekeepers after a tense match at the Alberta Schools Athletic Association Volleyball Provincial Championship. Kieran's exceptional sportsmanship earned him the first Sportsmanship Pin based on recommendations from officials and opposing coaches.