THE PAUl van steen sports achievement award
The Paul van Steen Sports Achievement Award was created in 2009 in memory of a neighbour who was a dedicated community member and volunteer who helped establish and support Bridlewood sports programs for many age groups and levels of sporting. The award recognizes excellence in competitive or demonstrative sport by a permanent resident of Bridlewood over the age of 16.
Paul Van Steen moved to Bridlewood in 1979 and helped establish the Bridlewood Spring Sports Program for children aged 5 – 12. He also established our community-run outdoor ice rinks in Bridlewood, organized winter carnival events (eg. cross country ski races, snow sculptures, broomball games), Bridlewood Canada Day activities, and was a driving force behind the Bridlewood Men’s Hockey league. Paul was also heavily involved with the Bridlewood Community Association coordinating the Outdoor Rink Program for many years and assisted with park development. He passed away suddenly in 2007 while renewing his hockey refereeing certification.
Paul’s legacy lives on in the Spring Sports program which now serves over 750 children every spring, the Bridlewood Men’s Hockey league which is a men’s non-contact hockey league, and the nine volunteer-run outdoor rinks in Bridlewood.
The Paul van Steen Sports Achievement Award consists keepsake trophy and a $250 cash award for the recipient. A commemorative trophy that is kept in the display cabinet in the Eva James Community Centre is inscribed with the winner’s name each year.
Selection criteria
The award is open to any athlete over the age of 16 who currently exhibits excellence in representative or competitive sport. All candidates must have a Bridlewood address (including Emerald Meadows and Monahan Landing) as their primary residence. Leadership in their field and community involvement activities will also be considered.
Nominations will open on May 1st of every year and close on August 31st.
Nomination Form: PVSSNF.pdf
Please contact us at pres@bridlewood.ca for more information
honouring
Our Previous Recipients
| Year | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gabrielle Gareau | Played hockey in the PWHL for the Central York Panthers and currently playing for Toronto Metropolitan University |
| 2021 | Aiden Smith | Baseball pitcher and catcher playing with Watson Elite Baseball in the Canadian Premier Baseball League |
| 2020 | Maya Addai | Rugby player for Carleton University Raven’s Varsity Women’s Rugby Team |
| 2019 | Kevin Robertson | Cross Country – competed in the U18 National Cross Country Championship and the U18 Steeplechase Canadian National Championships |
| 2018 | No recipient | |
| 2017 | Tommy Des Brisay | Runner - competed in the World Para Athletics Championship in London, hopes to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games |
| 2016 | Shelby Howard | Cross Country Skiier – has competed in 3 Canadian Nationals and finished 2nd in the Ontario Cup Series |
| 2015 | Robbie Laforest / Adam Laforest | Special Needs Athletes competing in a wide variety of sports |
| 2014 | Brendon Howard | Cross Country Skiier - has competed in the National, Regional, Provincial and High School level in both Free and Classic technique |
| 2013 | Alec Jarvis | Triathlete - 2nd in Ontario and 2nd in 2012 Ontario Summer Games |
| 2012 | Samantha Klus | Triathlete - will compete in worlds in New Zealand in fall of 2012 |
| 2011 | Lindsay Cook | Baseball - has represented Ontario in 2 National championships |
| 2010 | Laurel Johnson | Triathlete - competes in Ironman events all over the world |
| 2009 | Esther Akinsulie | Olympic hopeful in Track for 2012 in London, England |