Jul 7, 2026
SCHOOL SPORTS NL CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS, COACHES, AND SCHOOLS THROUGH 2025-2026 ANNUAL AWARDS
St. John's, NL – School Sports NL (SSNL) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025-2026 Annual Awards, recognizing exceptional students, volunteers, coaches, administrators, and school leaders who have made a lasting impact on school sport and physical activity across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Presented annually, the SSNL Awards celebrate individuals whose dedication, leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment help create meaningful opportunities for students both on and off the field of play.
"School sport is made possible by the incredible efforts of volunteers, coaches, educators, administrators, and student leaders in communities across the province," said Karen Richard, SSNL Executive Director. "These awards provide an opportunity to recognize those individuals whose passion and commitment strengthen school sport and enrich the experiences of thousands of students every year.”
BROTHER G.I. MOORE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Brother G.I. Moore Student Athlete of the Year Awards recognize student-athletes who exemplify sportsmanship, athletic excellence, leadership, and commitment throughout their high school careers. Each recipient receives a $500 scholarship in recognition of their achievements.
FEMALE
2A - Lily Ryan - Belanger Memorial School
3A - Jayden Denty - Glovertown Academy
4A - Coryssa Tucker - Prince of Wales Collegiate
MALE
A - Christopher King - St. Joseph's Academy
A - Hunter Walsh - St. Joseph's Academy
2A - Erik Bath - J.M. Olds Collegiate
3A - Jackson Butt - Glovertown Academy
4A - Brandon Philpott - O'Donel High School
STUDENT ATHLETIC PROGRAM VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
These awards recognize student volunteers who have played an integral role in supporting athletic programming within their schools. Each recipient receives a $500 scholarship in recognition of their service and leadership.
Anna Corbett - Cape John Collegiate
Kailey Tucker - White Hills Academy
VARSITY COACHING SERVICE AWARDS
The Varsity Coaching Service Award honours coaches who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the development of student-athletes and school sport programs.
Deon Goulding - St. Paul's Intermediate
Barry Park - Templeton Academy
Trevor Rowe - Queen Elizabeth Regional High
Philip Young - King Academy
VARSITY REGIONAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
The Varsity Regional Recognition Award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to SSNL Varsity school sport within their region.
Avalon - Ewan Penney - Baccalieu Collegiate
Avalon West - Billy Keel - Bishop White School
Burin Peninsula - Jordan Baird - Pearce Junior High
Central East - Mitchell Watkins - J.M. Olds Collegiate
Central - Carli McDonald - Leo Burke Academy
Central West - Jeff Quigley - MSB Regional Academy
Northern Peninsula - Paul Hare - Burgeo Academy
Southern Labrador - David Oxford - Long Range Academy
Western - Nathan Phillips - William Gillett Academy
PARTICIPATION NATION CHAMPION AWARDS
The Participation Nation Champion Award honours individuals who have played a vital role in growing and enhancing Participation Nation programming within their school communities.
Shawn Anderson - St. James Elementary
April Gillingham - Lakewood Academy
Kerry Walsh - MacDonald Drive Elementary
Sarah Dicker - Peacock Primary School
Rhonda Martin - Cloud River Academy
PARTICIPATION NATION AMBASSADOR AWARD
The Participation Nation Ambassador Award celebrates outstanding long-term contributions to the growth and success of Participation Nation programming.
Kayla Chinn - Stephenville Middle School
In addition to recognizing outstanding individual award recipients, School Sports NL also celebrates academic achievement and school-wide excellence through its Scholar Athlete and Sports Stars programs.
SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS
The Scholar Athlete Award recognizes student-athletes in Grades 10-12 who have achieved success both academically and athletically. The program celebrates students who demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in the classroom while actively participating in school sport.
During the 2025-2026 school year, School Sports NL distributed 485 Scholar Athlete certificates to deserving student-athletes across the province. In addition, 62 graduating students received a Scholar Athlete Pin, recognizing those who achieved Scholar Athlete status throughout their entire high school career.
These achievements reflect the dedication, discipline, and perseverance required to excel both in academics and athletics, and highlight the many student-athletes who continue to set a positive example within their schools and communities.
"The Scholar Athlete program continues to showcase the remarkable ability of Newfoundland and Labrador students to balance academic achievement with athletic involvement," said Richard. "This year's recipients exemplify the values of commitment, leadership, and excellence that school sport strives to foster."
SPORTS STARS PROGRAM
School Sports NL is also pleased to recognize schools that have earned Sports Stars status for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Sports Stars program celebrates schools that demonstrate excellence through participation in Varsity and Participation Nation programming while fostering sportsmanship, school engagement, and athletic achievement. Schools accumulate points throughout the year based on participation, sportsmanship, and performance at Varsity championships and events.
This year marked the introduction of an updated Sports Stars model. Population divisions were streamlined from five divisions to four, and schools were ranked within their respective divisions rather than working toward a fixed-point threshold. Under the new system, approximately 15% of schools in each division earn Gold status, 45% earn Silver status, and 30% earn Bronze status.
Final banner distribution will take place following the conclusion of the school year.
GOLD SPORTS STARS
Canon Richards Memorial School
Copper Ridge Academy
Eric G. Lambert School
Fogo Island Central Academy
Fortune Bay Academy
Glovertown Academy
Holy Heart of Mary High School
Indian River High School
J.M. Olds Collegiate
Mobile Central High School
O'Donel High School
St. James All Grade
St. Joseph's Academy
St. Lawrence Academy
Templeton Academy
SILVER SPORTS STARS
Baccalieu Collegiate
Baltimore School
Bay d'Espoir Academy
Bayside Academy
Belanger Memorial School
Bishop White School
Botwood Collegiate
Burgeo Academy
Cape John Collegiate
Carbonear Collegiate
Christ the King Academy
Cloud River Academy
Corner Brook Regional High
Crescent Collegiate
Dorset Collegiate
Dunne Memorial Academy
Elwood Regional High School
French Shore Academy
Gander Collegiate
Gonzaga High School
Grandy's River Collegiate
Gros Morne Academy
Henry Gordon Academy
J.C. Erhardt Memorial School
Labrador Straits Academy
Lakewood Academy
Leo Burke Academy
Lewisporte Collegiate
Long Range Academy
Marystown Central HS
MSB Regional Academy
Pasadena Academy
Pearson Academy
Prince of Wales Collegiate
Queen Elizabeth RH
Random Island Academy
Roncalli Central HS
Smallwood Academy
Se't A'newey Kina'matino'kuom
St. Bonaventure's College
St. James Regional High School
St. Joseph's All Grade
Stephenville High School
Viking Trail Academy
William Gillett Academy
BRONZE SPORTS STARS
Amos Comenius Memorial School
Ascension Collegiate
Bonne Bay Academy
Clarenville High School
Discovery Collegiate
E.A. Butler All Grade
École Sainte-Anne
Exploits Valley High School
Fitzgerald Academy
Gill Memorial Academy
Heritage Collegiate
Holy Name of Mary Academy
Jane Collins Academy
Jens Haven Memorial School
King Academy
Lake Melville School
Laval High School
Main River Academy
Mealy Mountain Collegiate
Menihek High School
Mushuau Innu School
New World Island Academy
Point Leamington Academy
Riverwood Academy
Sheshatshiu Innu School
Southwest Arm Academy
St. Kevin's High School
St. Lewis Academy
St. Michael's Regional High
St. Peter's Academy
Tricentia Academy
Waterford Valley High School
White Hills Academy
School Sports NL extends its congratulations to all award recipients and nominees, and its sincere appreciation to the schools, volunteers, coaches, families, and communities whose ongoing support helps make school sport possible. Together, their dedication continues to inspire students and strengthen school sport across Newfoundland and Labrador.