(Winnipeg) – The True Sport Foundation officially announced the winners for the 35th Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) at a gala awards ceremony co-hosted by Sport Manitoba at Winnipeg’s Garrick Theatre. Today’s awards event celebrated excellence in sport and honoured the athletes and leaders who competed and inspired hope throughout the 2007 calendar year.

The event was co-hosted by local CBC Sportscaster, Scott Oakes and Canadian cyclist Erin Carter, also from Manitoba, who has represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games and multiple world championships. Leaders from the sport and corporate communities gathered at the ceremony to represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition in the world of Canadian amateur sport. Members of the general public were also invited to attend the ceremony and catch a glimpse of some of Canada’s sporting heroes.

British Columbia swimming sensation and 2007 World Aquatic Championship gold medal winner Brent Hayden, scored the honour of Male Athlete of the Year, while Olympic medal-winning short track speed skating marvel Kalyna Roberge was awarded Female Athlete of the Year.

Calgary swimmer and record-breaker Erica Morningstar was named Junior Athlete of the Year and Team of the Year went to IIHF World Men’s Championship team. Partners of the Year were Rowing World Championship Men’s Eights. 

“It is truly an honour to celebrate the achievement and contributions of these athletes and community leaders for their contribution to Canadian amateur sport,” said Victor Lachance, Executive Director, The True Sport Foundation. “Their commitment and courage is the ultimate tribute to Canada’s sport legacy.”

ATHLETES VISIT MANITOBA SCHOOLS FOR THE FIRST-EVER “TRUE SPORT ROAD TRIP”
This 35-year-old tradition of sport celebration also kicks off a new community outreach effort designed to engage and inspire inner-city school children in sport. The True Sport Road Trip takes place tomorrow (Thursday, March 20th), and will expose Manitoba schoolchildren to the accomplishments and empowering stories of some of Canada’s top amateur athletes. 

This first-time event will send attending athletes to visit three schools: Robert Smith School, Lord Selkirk SD (Selkirk); Elwick Community School, Seven Oaks SD (North Winnipeg); St Johns High School, Winnipeg One SD (North Winnipeg) to examine issues and challenges specific to each school.  These role models will read, play and engage in a dialogue with students with the goal of demonstrating how sport can lift the human spirit and encouraging them to follow their own dreams.

Continued Lachance: “Once again, The True Sport Foundation would like to thank the enthusiastic sport community of Winnipeg for its leadership and for opening its doors to embrace this event and Canada’s athletic community.”  

The 2007 winners were chosen by an independent jury from among finalists in the following categories: Athletic Performance, Leadership in Sport, Corporate Excellence and Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year. Any Canadian citizen can nominate an individual, team or corporation for the Canadian Sport Awards.  Individuals and corporations can also self-nominate.  Eligible entries were for performances or contributions from January 1, 2007 through to December 31, 2007.

WINNERS OF THE 35TH ANNUAL CANADIAN SPORT AWARDS:

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AWARDS:
This year’s winners in the Athletic Performance category for the 35th Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating outstanding athletic performance in 2007, are:

Male Athlete of the Year
Brent Hayden

Female Athlete of the Year
Kalyna Roberge

Junior Athlete of the Year
Erica Morningstar

Team of the Year
Hockey - IIHF World Men's Championship

Partners of the Year
Rowing Men’s 8+ (Wetzel/Light/Rutledge/Seiterle/Howard/Kreek/Hamilton/Price/Byrnes)

LEADERSHIP AWARDS: 
The winners in the Leadership Awards category for the 35th Annual Canadian Annual Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport in 2007, are:

Leadership in Sport Award
Dr. Roger Jackson

Coach of the Year
Paul Kristofic

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD:
The winner of the Corporate Excellence Award for the 35th Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating a corporation who has provided outstanding support to Canadian sport in 2007, is: Bell Canada

INVESTORS GROUP SPIRIT OF SPORT STORY OF THE YEAR:
The winner of the Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year Award for the 35th Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing a Canadian hero who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others and a true love of sport in 2007, is: Sue Swain

About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boast a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, Commonwealth Games Canada, the Canada Games Council and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.  For more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca.

About Sport Manitoba
The home of amateur sport in the province of Manitoba, Sport Manitoba is the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. The primary focus of Sport Manitoba is on the development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. Visit the website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Robin Turnbull
Canadian Sport Awards, Program Director
1.800.672.7775 ext 4000
rtevent@sympatico.ca

Victor Lachance

Executive Director, True Sport Foundation
613.521.3340 x 3224
vgl@rogers.com