CAF Sports Awards Bring Top Tier Military Athletes Together

The 36th iteration of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Sports Awards Ceremony brought together the top tier of Canada’s military athletes from across the country to celebrate sports and fitness.

The ceremony was held at the Canadian War Museum on Nov. 27 and brought together not only athletes from across all elements of the CAF but also top leadership.

“We were able to bring in all our athletes from across Canada that were being celebrated and recognized. And then we also had a lot of the leadership there as well, including the Chief of the Defence Staff,” said Amber Fehr, CAF National Sports Coordinator, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.

A Night of Recognition

Aside from the CDS, a number of top CAF leaders were present at the ceremony to recognize the efforts of CAF athletes, including CWO Bob McCann. The CDS and the CWO both handed out awards.

“That was pretty special to have them there,” remembered Fehr.

A call for nominations is made every year to find the best athletes. Nominations are made in five different commands, including:

• Canadian Army,
• Military Personnel Command,
• Royal Canadian Air Force,
• Royal Canadian Navy, and
• Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Group.

“We had all our different representatives from the different environments come and get recognized for their achievements for the year,” added Fehr.

Awards were also given to civilians who have made outstanding programs to the CAF Sports Program.

CAF Sports Program

The CAF Sports Program plays a vital role in the morale of Canada’s military personnel. Despite having a challenging year financially, according to Fehr, the program continues to hold a special place in the hearts of CAF members.

“Morale and welfare is obviously vital to the military, it gives them an opportunity to build connections with others, stay in shape and just have an opportunity to do something that they love while still being involved with the military,” said Fehr.

The CAF Sports Program goes beyond local bases and wings to a national level where soldiers represent Canada at the Military World Games.

This Year’s Winners

This year’s top winners are as follows:

• CAF Female Athlete of the Year: Sgt. Valery Switzer
• CAF Male Athlete of the Year: Cpl. Jordan Stewart
• CAF Coach of the Year: Sgt. Derek Brown
• CAF Official of the Year: CWO Donald Farr
• CAF Team of the Year: 8 Wing Flyers Women’s Hockey Team

Winners for the Honour Roll award are as follows:

• Maj. (ret’d) Jason Burt
• Cpl. (ret’d) Shane Wannamaker
• CPO 1st Class Line Laurendeau
• Cpl. Scott Makischuk
• MWO Jeffery Bartlett.

Additionally, two awards were given for Outstanding Contributions to Master Sailor Fraser MacQueen and Joanna Jarrett.

For more information regarding the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Sports Awards, visit here.