NEWS: News Release
April 27, 2007
Ontario Government Congratulates 2006 Athletes Of The Year
New Sport Funding Will Help More Athletes Achieve Excellence In Sports
TORONTO — Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson presented awards to Ontario athletes at the 2006 Ontario Sport Awards last night.
“The McGuinty government is pleased to recognize and support the hard work and outstanding talents of our athletes,” said Watson. “The Ontario Sport Awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of Ontario’s amateur athletes and all the coaches, volunteers and corporate sponsors who support them.”
The awards for best Male and Female Athletes as well as Male and Female Athletes with a Disability are among the highest honour an athlete can receive at the provincial level. Recipients who received awards include:
- Vicky Sunohara – Female Athlete of the Year
- Jeffrey Buttle – Male Athlete of the Year
- Bradley Bowden – Male Athlete With A Disability of the Year
- Karen Blachford – Female Athlete With A Disability of the Year
- Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir – Team of the Year
The Ontario government applauds Ontario’s athletes in their quest for excellence in sport and values the role these athletes play as advocates for sport, physical activity and as role models for children and youth. Increasing support to high-performance athletes is one component of the McGuinty government’s ACTIVE2010 – Ontario’s Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity.
“Winning an award of recognition from the province is a great way to top off a fantastic year,” said Vicky Sunohara, Female Athlete of the Year. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate with my fellow athletes and Minister Watson.”
The Minister also made funding announcements including $6.3 million in Provincial Sport Organization funding. This program focuses on encouraging more Ontarians to be involved in sports, enhancing competition opportunities for athletes and increasing the pool of trained coaches.
The Minister also announced $528,000 to the Sport Alliance of Ontario to increase grants to communities hosting the Ontario Summer and Winter Games and the Summer Paralympic Championships. Funds will also be used to establish a new Canada Games Team Development Program to prepare athletes for the Canada Games and other national competitions.
The Ontario Sport Awards were introduced 40 years ago to acknowledge top athletes and sport supporters. The evening was organized by the Sport Alliance of Ontario, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion.
The Ministry of Health Promotion was established in June 2005 to improve and deliver programs that contribute to healthy living and wellness in this province. Key priorities include Ontario’s smoke-free strategy, healthy eating, active living, sport and recreation, injury prevention and mental health promotion.
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Contacts:
Adam Grachnik
Minister Watson’s Office
416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833
