Meet the Winners & Finalists of the 2026 National Awards Night

November 09, 2026
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    Thank you for joining us for Special Olympics Canada’s 2026 National Awards Night! If you missed the show or want to watch it again, you can view the full broadcast using the link below.

    Every year, we come together to celebrate the heart and soul of Special Olympics Canada—our extraordinary athletes, dedicated coaches, and selfless volunteers from coast to coast to coast. These champions exemplify the true spirit of inclusion, determination, excellence and sportsmanship that defines our movement.

    Special Olympics Canada's 2026 National Awards Night was co-hosted by TSN’s Lindsay Hamilton and Special Olympics New Brunswick athlete Janie McGraw! Together, they led us through an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements and impact of our incredible community.

    We were also joined by some special guests, including TSN’s Jesse Pollock, Jermain Franklin, Marissa Roberto, Raegan Subban and Jennifer Hedger.

    We celebrated our Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Team of the Year and so much more!

    Winners & Finalists 

    Jim Thompson Volunteer of the Year Award

    • Winner Lee Chic

      Special Olympics British Columbia
    • Finalist Connie Biro

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Jenny Tyler

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia
    • Finalist Samantha Damiani

      Special Olympics Ontario

    Coach of the Year Award

    • Winner Donna White

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia
    • Winner Blain Fuller

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Amanda Dobler

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Danielle Piperno

      Olympiques Speciaux Québec
    • Finalist Danny Ouelette

      Special Olympics Ontario
    • Finalist Saige Beaumont

      Special Olympics British Columbia

    Rising Star Coach of the Year Award

    • Winner Ally Cleary

      Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Finalist Abigail Vivian

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia
    • Finalist Garreth Morgan

      Special Olympics Ontario

    Frank Selke Jr. Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Award

    • Winners Éric-Olivier Savoie & Florence Arnould-Lalonde

      Olympiques Speciaux Québec
    • Finalist Liz Smashnuk

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Todd Watson

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    Athlete Community Excellence Award

    • Winner Brett Griffiths

      Special Olympics Manitoba
    • Finalist Coralie Desbiens

      Olympiques Speciaux Québec
    • Finalist Dylan Balmaceda

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia
    • Finalist Melissa Strowbridge

      Special Olympics Alberta

    Team of the Year Award

    • Winners Koalas

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalists Almaguin Legion 405

      Special Olympics Ontario
    • Finalists Gander Eagles

      Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Finalists Sackville Bedford Bravehearts

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    Athlete of the Year Award

    • Winner Yanhong Dewan

      Special Olympics Ontario
    • Winner Jaclyn Zimmerman

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Brock Jesse

      Special Olympics Alberta
    • Finalist Cory Duhaime

      Special Olympics British Columbia
    • Finalist Donald Kendall

      Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Finalist Floressa Harris

      Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Finalist Lisa Perry

      Special Olympics British Columbia
    • Finalist Olivier Martel

      Olympiques Speciaux Québec

    Harry "Red" Foster Award

    • Winner Rachel Mathews

      Special Olympics Ontario

    Dr. Frank Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award

    • Winner Sandy Morrison

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    Rob Plunkett Law Enforcement Torch Run Award

    • Winner Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy

      Special Olympics Manitoba