Who was Orillia’s most outstanding athlete of 2018? It’s up to you!
Now is the time to nominate worthy candidates for the coveted Orillia Athlete of the Year award.
To qualify as a nominee, an athlete must be a credit to the city because of his/her athletic accomplishment, show dedication to training and exhibit good sportsmanship.
The award is open to individuals from Orillia and area that display excellence in one or more athletic endeavours.
“It’s really important to recognize our outstanding athletes,” said Chris Gammon, the city’s sport program supervisor. “Sports can be a uniting force and this is a great platform to recognize that.”
If you want to nominate an athlete, it’s easy. You can either drop into the parks, recreation and culture department on the third floor of the Orillia City Centre and pick up an application package or complete an online application.
Those nominating an athlete are asked to provide comments/examples of the nominee’s sportsmanship, attitude and accomplishments.
A mandatory letter of recommendation from a sports organization, such as a school or local, provincial, national or international sports group, is required.
Last year, Ali Van Yzendoorn, an outstanding local cyclist, won the athlete of the year award, joining an impressive list of winners that includes NHL hockey player Ethan Moreau, Olympic figure skater Brian Orser, world-class track-and-field athlete Rob Town, internationally-ranked sprinter Toyin Olupona, Olympic boxer Walter Henry, multi-sport star Jerry Udell and a host of others.
“The good thing about the athlete of the year process is it provides an opportunity to not only recognize the athlete of the year but all the nominees,” said Gammon. “I think when kids see what some of our local athletes have done here and nationally and internationally, it can be very inspiring.”
This year’s coveted Athlete of the Year award, first donated by local trophy maker Norm Davis in 1952, will be awarded at a city council meeting in February.
But first, nominees are needed. The deadline to nominate an athlete of the year is Jan. 16.
OrilliaMatters.com will profile each of the nominees after the deadline has passed.
For more information, visit orillia.ca
