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Special Olympics Canada Awards Night 2025

October 29, 2025
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    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.

    The 2025 Special Olympics Canada Awards Night was co-hosted by TSN's Lindsay Hamilton and Special Olympics athlete Olivier Martel. Together, they lead us through an unforgettable evening, celebrating the achievements and impact of our incredible community.

    We also had some special guests lined up, including familiar faces like TSN's Vic Rauter, Jesse Pollock, and Jermaine Franklin, along with stars from our Champions Network!

    Join us in celebrating the Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Team of the Year, and more!

    2025 National Award Winners

    • Athlete of the Year Jessica Cranton

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    • Athlete of the Year Johnny Philpott

      Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador

    • Dr. Frank Hayden Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award Neil Ivan

      Special Olympics Alberta

    • Team of the Year Winnipeg Blue Devils

      Special Olympics Manitoba

    • Jim Thompson Rick Sanden

      Special Olympics Saskchewan

    • Athlete Community Excellence Matthew Walsh

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    • Coach of the Year Dr. Carmel Casey

      Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador

    • Coach of the Year Peter McCormick

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    • Rising Star Coach of the Year Lauren MacRae

      Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    • Rob Plunkett Law Enforcement Torch Run Award Sheri Lucas

      Special Olympics British Columbia

    • Harry “Red” Foster Award Bryan McCorrister

      Special Olympics Manitoba

    • Frank Selke Jr. Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Manse Binkley

      Special Olympics British Columbia

    Congratulations to all of this year’s Award Winners!

    We also celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2025 Award Finalists from across Canada’s Provinces and Territories, whose passion and dedication continue to elevate the Special Olympics movement nationwide.

    Team of the Year Finalists

    • Special Olympics Alberta Team Wetaskiwin

    • Special Olympics Quebec Les Cougars

    • Special Olympics Manitoba Winnipeg Blue Devils

    Coach of the Year Finalists

    • Special Olympics Prince Edward Island Kathleen MacNearney

    • Special Olympics Ontario Debbit Murphy-Quinlan

    • Special Olympics Alberta Makenna MacWhinnie

    • Special Olympics British Columbia Randy James

    • Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Dr. Carmel Casey

    • Special Olympics Nova Scotia Peter McCormick

    Rising Star Coach of the Year Finalists

    • Special Olympics Manitoba Kayla Kasian

    • Special Olympics British Columbia Arjan Basra

    • Special Olympics Nova Scotia Lauren MacRae

    Athlete Community Excellence Award Finalists

    • Special Olympics PEI Heidi Mallett

    • Special Olympics Ontario Taylor Bennett

    • Special Olympics Manitoba Brett Griffiths

    • Matthew Walsh Special Olympics Nova Scotia

    Athlete of the Year Finalists

    • Special Olympics British Columbia Danielle Pechet

    • Special Olympics British Columbia Jesse Jensen

    • Special Olympics Nova Scotia Brian Waring

    • Special Olympics Alberta Victor Siu

    • Special Olympics Quebec Oceane Rajotte

    • Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Johnny Philpott

    • Special Olympics Quebec Oceane Rajotte

    • Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Johnny Philpott

    • Special Olympics Nova Scotia Jessica Cranton

    • Special Olympics Alberta Victor Siu