Honouring the 2020 Premier’s Awards Provincial Recipients Through a Virtual Ceremony

Ten Outstanding Indigenous Athletes Receive the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport

Traditional Territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples / Victoria B.C. (October 8, 2021) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) will be announcing the provincial recipients of the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport through a virtual ceremony. The special event will be held over Zoom on the evening of Wednesday, October 20th, 2021, at 7:00pm-8:00pm where 10 Indigenous youth athletes will be honoured for their outstanding achievements in sport. 

The celebration will include a pre-recorded video presentation held at the BC Sports Hall of Fame hosted by Blake Price, Canadian sports broadcaster. The event will be live streamed on I·SPARC’s Facebook page. Details on when and how to attend the live stream will be posted on I·SPARC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ISPARC.BC a few days before the event date. The pre-recorded celebration video will be available on I·SPARC’s YouTube channel following the live event. 

In collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, I·SPARC launched the regional nomination process for the Premier’s Awards in late 2020, receiving nominations from each of I·SPARC’s six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island). Nominations were open to Indigenous athletes under the age of 25 who have competed in high performance sport, demonstrated a commitment to their education and culture, and promoted healthy and active lifestyles. Athletes were selected from each region (Northeast and Northwest were combined this year), resulting in 30 regional recipients. Of the 30 regional recipients, 10 athletes were selected as provincial recipients for the Provincial Awards. Provincial recipients will have their photo and biography on display at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. 

I·SPARC is now accepting applications for the 2021 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Visit I·SPARC’s website for more information: https://isparc.ca/2021-call-for-nominations-premiers-awards-for-indigenous-youth-excellence-in-sport/.

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About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC)
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia. For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca. 

Media Contact:
Shireen Banaee
Manager, Communications and Recognition Programs
Tel: 778-677-0174
Email: premiersawards@isparc.ca