Aboriginal Sport Circle announces 2008 Tom Longboat Athlete and National Aboriginal Coaching award recipients

April 21, 2009

AKWESASNE, Ontario – The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the National recipients for the 2008 Tom Longboat Athlete and National Aboriginal Coaching awards.The ASC accepts nominations from the sport and recreation community to honour outstanding Aboriginal athletes and coaches each year. These prestigious awards honour the accomplishments of amateur athletes and coaches of Aboriginal ancestry for 2008.

To honour and recognize the excellent achievements of these athletes and coaches from coast-to-coast is important to Aboriginal people. Celebrating the successes of deserving sport leaders is a priority of the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

Winners of the awards demonstrate excellence in sport through athletic and coaching achievements and are embedded in community development through leadership and mentorship. Athletes and coaches continue to develop holistically by giving back to their communities and ensuring youth have exposure to sports, recreation and physical activities.

The 2008 Tom Longboat and National Aboriginal Coaching Award recipients will be honored at the Aboriginal Sports Excellence Awards Banquet as part of the 2009 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The banquet will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Transcona Country Club in Winnipeg.

“We are extremely proud of our winners this year, as they are a testament to all Aboriginal athletes and coaches in Canada,” said Tex Marshall, ASC Board of Directors Chairperson. “Our award recipients are living proof that you can achieve great success through focus, dedication, and hard work. The ASC is truly honored to recognize our winners for 2008.”

2008 Tom Longboat Award – Male National Recipient:
Matthew Klein Men’s Air Rifle British Columbia

2008 Tom Longboat Award – Female National Recipient:
Alyssa Johnson Athletics Manitoba

2008 Coaching Award – Male National Recipient:
Mike Alexander Badminton Newfoundland/Lab

2008 Coaching Award – Female National Recipient:
Jacqueline Lavallee Basketball Saskatchewan

2008 Tom Longboat Award – Male Regional Winners
Athlete Sport Province/Territory

Nikashantess Penashue Golf Newfoundland/Lab
Mark Gloade Swimming Nova Scotia
Gabriel Rabbitskin Swimming EDN
Eric Slipperjack Football Ontario
Scott Cameron Ball Hockey Manitoba
William Cameron Golf Saskatchewan
Matthew Klein Men’s Air Rifle British Columbia
Joshua Kelly Swimming Yukon

2008 Regional Female Tom Longboat Award Winners
Athlete Sport Province/Territory

Sabrina Muise Athletics Newfoundland/Lab
Sarah Gloade Swimming Nova Scotia
Nancy Indian Volleyball Ontario
Alyssa Johnson Athletics Manitoba
Elecktra Charles Track & Field Saskatchewan
Sandy Ward Snowboarding British Columbia
Danielle Marcotte Rifle Shooting Yukon

2008 Regional Male Aboriginal Coaching Award Winners
Coach Sport Province/Territory

Mike Alexander Badminton Newfoundland/Lab
Levi Denny Hockey Nova Scotia
Jim Partaker Track & Field Manitoba
Jim Point Lacrosse British Columbia
John Brown Rifle Shooting Yukon

2008 Regional Female Aboriginal Coaching Award Winners
Coach Sport Province/Territory

Rosemary Ryan Forsey Multi Newfoundland/Lab
Janna Dykstra Basketball, Athletics Nova Scotia
Sharon Rice Canoeing EDN
Penny Peters Hockey Ontario
Kristy Fewchuck Volleyball Manitoba
Jacqueline Lavallee Basketball Saskatchewan
Lori Phillip Basketball British Columbia
Janine Peters BOCCE/5 Pin Bowling Yukon

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is Canada’s voice for Aboriginal sport and recreation, which brings together the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. The Aboriginal Sport Circle was created through a national consensus-building process, in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal people.

For Additional Information contact:

Anthony Sauve, National Coordinator, Coaching & Leadership Development
275 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0L9
613-236-9624, ext 224
asauve@aboriginalsportcircle.ca
www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca