Viewers and supporters from Saskatchewan and across Canada gathered virtually on Thursday night to celebrate the finalists and recipients of the 2021 Saskatchewan Sport Awards.
The evening saw Mary Carroll, coach of Olympic diver Rylan Wiens and coach with the Saskatoon Diving Club receive the Coach of the Year Award. While Coach Dedication Awards were presented to Astrid Baecker, who has career in coaching soccer that spans more than 30 years, and Erin McCormick, who transitioned from a therapeutic coach to a Para Dressage coach and is helping the sport flourish in the province.
The annual awards program honours the achievements and dedication of Saskatchewan’s amateur sport community. This year, the program returned with a full slate of award categories after an altered program was presented for the 2020 awards. In the Excellence Awards, 18 individuals were announced as finalists in six different categories, including Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Youth Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year and Team of the Year. The Recognition Awards honoured seven deserving recipients with the Coach and Volunteer Dedication Awards, as well as the new Inspire Through Sport Award.
“On behalf of Sask Sport and its membership, I would like to congratulate all of the Saskatchewan Sport Awards finalists and recipients,” said Lance Dudar, volunteer Chair of Sask Sport, during the program. “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate outstanding amateur athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers from across Saskatchewan. These individuals lead by example daily to show everyone that sport, truly, is more than a game”
“The dedication and perseverance each award finalist and recipient shares make them great ambassadors for both sport and this province. The stories and accomplishments on display throughout this awards program have made me proud to be from Saskatchewan and part of the sport community.”
Nominees for the Saskatchewan Sports Awards were submitted by Sask Sport members, sport community groups, media or the general public. Recipients were selected by a Sask Sport awards committee.
