Meet the Winners & Finalists of the 2026 National Awards Night
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