The selection committee for the Greater Victoria Sports Awards announced the winners for achievements during the 2024 calendar year. Sixteen awards will be presented at Government House on Thursday, Feb. 27.
From 1968 until 2006, the awards ceremony was an annual tradition in Victoria, and after a brief hiatus, the ceremony returned last year thanks to the Greater Victoria Sport Tourism Commission.
The Female Athlete of the Year finished in a three-way tie, all of whom earned Olympic silver medals.
Rowers Cailiegh Filmer and Avalon Wasteneys were a part of the Canadian Women's Eight that captured an Olympic silver medal, only beaten by Romania. Filmer and Wasteneys additionally captured medals in the 2020 Olympic games.
Finishing off the trio was Caroline Crossley, helping Rugby Canada complete a historic feat, claiming the silver medal in Rugby sevens, their highest-ever finish in the tournament. Crossley was a long-time member of the Castaway-Wanderers of Oak Bay. She made her debut for the Canadian national team back in 2015.
On the male side, it was a solo win for Cody Fournie, a double gold winner at the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games. Fournie captured gold in the T51 100m and 200m wheelchair races, where he set an Olympic record with a 19.63-second clip during the 100m race. Prior to competing in athletics, Fournie was a member of the Canadian National Wheelchair Rugby program.
In the high-school athlete category, Clara Chudley, and Tyler Felt, both students from Spectrum High School, earned the achievements. Chudley, committed to Trinity Western University, captained the senior girls' soccer team, contributing six goals in three games during their triumph at the Island Championships.
Felt will also be continuing his athletic journey, committed to the University of Victoria men's basketball team. The 6'9" forward helped Spectrum earn their first AAAA Provincial championship, as he was named the BCSS Sr Boys Provincial MVP during the tournament.
On the collegiate level, Sai Sai Faubert of the University of Victoria women's rowing team was named the Female College/University Athlete of the Year. Faubert, a fourth-year student, was named the 2024 Canadian University Rowing Athlete of the Year, helping the Vikes capture their third consecutive national championship.
Trinity Western University's Piers de Greeff will receive the men's award. The second-year outside hitter dominated his rookie campaign, recording 193 kills and 115 digs in 19 games. De Greeff represented the U21 Canadian National team at the NORCECA championships, helping Canada earn a silver medal.
The Female Alex Nelson [sic] 鈥極k鈥檞ilagame鈥� Indigenous Athlete of the Year recipient is Alexandra Nelson of the Shawnigan Lake School hockey team. Nelson earned a bronze medal with Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, while also being presented with the Premier's Award for Aboriginal Excellence in Sports.
On the male side, Patrick Elliott of the Lakehill Division One soccer team will be presented with the achievement. Elliott has amassed 10 goals for Lakehill this season, which is tied for sixth most in the VISL's top division.
Other awards that will be presented include: The Female Master Athlete of the Year going to pickleball player Connie McCann; Male Master Athlete of the Year to horseshoe pitcher Tom Moffat; Coach of the Year to Jane Gumley of the UVic women's rowing team; and the Spectrum Senior Boys Basketball team named Team of the Year.
The Pat Hall Volunteer Award went to Joan Gagnon of the Victoria Special Olympics; the John and Marilyn Bate Organization of the Year Award went to the Canadian Sport Centre Pacific; and finally, the Legacy Award went to the late John Horgan.
The winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Government House. The event begins at 5:45 p.m. and tickets are available at .
