January 7, 2006 – The True Sport Foundation (TSF) would like to remind the Canadian sport community that the nomination period for the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) ends shortly. Nominations must be submitted on the online nomination form no later than 5:00 p.m. E.S.T., Friday, January 13, 2006. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Visit http://www.canadiansportawards.ca/ for complete information on the nomination process and to access the online nomination form.

The Awards will take place at the end of March 2006 and will celebrate the heroes that live within Canadian sport.

* Athletic Performance Awards celebrate outstanding athletic performance in 2005.
* Leadership Awards recognize an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.
* Corporate Excellence Awards recognize corporations that provide outstanding support to Canadian sport.
* The Spirit of Sport Story of the Year Award celebrates a Canadian hero who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated spirit of sport values.
* The Bell True Sport Community Award honours the role of sport in strengthening communities.

Nomination Eligibility
Any Canadian citizen can nominate an individual, team, community or corporation for the Canadian Sport Awards. Individuals and corporations can also self-nominate. Eligible entries are for performances or contributions from January 1, 2005 through to December 31, 2005.

Award Categories
The Canadian Sport Award categories recognize outstanding athletic performance.

– Male Athlete of the Year (The Norton H. Crow Award)
– Female Athlete of the Year (The Velma Springstead Award)
– Junior Male Athlete of the Year (The Viscount Alexander Award)
– Junior Female Athlete of the Year (The Elaine Tanner Award)
– Male Team of the Year (The Dick Ellis Trophy)
– Female Team of the Year (Edmonton Grads Trophy)
– Partners of the Year (The Wilson and McCall Trophy)

The Leadership Awards recognize and celebrate an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport.

– Athlete Leadership Award (The Bruce Kidd Award)
– Volunteer Achievement Award (The Bryce Taylor Award)
– Leadership in Sport Award
– Coach of the Year

The Corporate Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate corporations who provide outstanding support to Canadian sport.

– National Team Support
– Individual Athlete Support
– National Initiative Support

The Bell True Sport Community Awards recognize the importance of fair and ethical sport, inclusion, accessibility and a positive sport experience at the community level. Bell True Sport communities are honoured for their best practices, commitment and accomplishments in furthering their community-based sport and recreation programs.

The Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year recognizes and celebrates a Canadian hero who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as fairness, inclusion, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others, and a true love of sport.

For complete nomination rules and guidelines, please visit http://www.canadiansportawards.ca/

Tickets go on sale January 6, 2006. Watch for more information early in the New Year and visit http://www.canadiansportawards.ca/ to purchase your tickets on-line. 

About the Canadian Sport Awards
This annual event brings together more than 700 leaders from the sporting and corporate communities who represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition: Canadian amateur athletes, coaches, sport leaders and volunteers. The event promotes sporting excellence across Canada, and reminds Canadians how sport lifts the human spirit. It is a tribute to the hard work, the dedication and the victories of our country’s finest athletes.

About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society, our athletes and the physical and moral development of Canada’s youth. Powered by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, the Canada Games and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.