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Every year, we come together to celebrate the heart and soul of Special Olympics Canada—our extraordinary athletes, dedicated coaches, and selfless volunteers from coast to coast to coast. These champions exemplify the true spirit of inclusion, determination, excellence and sportsmanship that defines our movement.
This year’s celebration is set to be one of our most exciting yet, and we want you to be a part of it!
The 2024 Special Olympics Canada Awards Night will be co-hosted by TSN broadcaster Vic Rauter and Special Olympics athlete Callum Denault. Together, they’ll lead us through an unforgettable evening, celebrating the and achievement and impact of our incredible community.
We’ve also got some special guests lined up, including familiar faces like TSN's Jesse Pollock, Lindsay Hamilton, and Jermaine Franklin, along with stars from our Champions Network!
Get ready to celebrate the Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Team of the Year, and more!
NATIONAL AWARDS NIGHT 2023: Replay
Awards & Winners
Winners to be added on Tuesday, October 29th, after the broadcast
Athlete
of the Year
Presented annually to two of Canada’s most outstanding athletes.
Athlete
of the Year
Presented annually to two of Canada’s most outstanding athletes.
Coach
of the Year
Presented annually to two of Canada's most outstanding coaches.
Coach
of the Year
Presented annually to two of Canada's most outstanding coaches.
Team
of the Year
Presented annually to Canada's most outstanding sports team.
Dr. Frank Hayden
Lifetime Achievement Award
Named after Canada’s Dr. Frank Hayden, whose research sparked the Special Olympics movement 50 years ago, this award is presented to an athlete who has best exemplified the spirit, philosophy and goals of the Special Olympics movement over the course of their career.
Athlete Community
Excellence Award
This annual award is given to an athlete who has made a significant contribution to the Special Olympics movement locally, provincially, and/or nationally, and has best exemplified the spirit, philosophy and goals of Special Olympics Canada.
Rising Star
Coach of the Year
Presented annually to one of Canada's most outstanding coaches, who have been volunteering with the organization for five years or less.
Rob Plunkett
(LETR) Award
Named after the late Detective Constable Robert Plunkett, a 22-year veteran of York Regional Police who was a leader in both the community and Special Olympics, this award is presented to a Law Enforcement Torch Run representative who best exemplifies the spirit, philosophy, dedication and goals of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Special Olympics movement.
Harry "Red" Foster
Award
Named after the late Harry “Red” Foster, the sports broadcaster and advertising mogul who founded Special Olympics in Canada, this award is presented to an individual, volunteer or group who best exemplifies the spirit, philosophy and goals of the Special Olympics movement. Like Mr. Foster, the nominee will have contributed significantly to the development, awareness and success of Special Olympics in Canada.
Frank Selke Jr.
Award
Named after the late Frank Selke Jr., Hockey Night in Canada personality and one of Special Olympics Canada’s first celebrity ambassadors, this annual award is presented to a fundraising volunteer(s) who’s made significant contribution to the movement locally, provincially, and/or nationally, and has best exemplified the spirit, philosophy and goals of Special Olympics Canada.
Jim Thompson
Award
Named after the late Jim Thompson, former TSN President and Special Olympics champion, this annual award is given to an operational volunteer who has made a significant contribution to the Special Olympics movement locally, provincially, and/or nationally, and has best exemplified the spirit, philosophy and goals of Special Olympics Canada.
Award Finalists
Athlete of the Year
Coach of the Year
Team of the Year
Rising Star Coach of the Year
Dr. Frank Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award
Athlete Community Excellence Award
Celebrate by giving the gift of community!
Your giving will make a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of athletes from coast to coast to coast.
Your giving helps Canadians with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages by creating a safe space where they are respected, valued, and accepted. Special Olympics is a community where everyone is free to be their 100% genuine selves and celebrated for who they are.