Gymnastics BC Events
Gymnastics BC (GymBC) is pleased to provide financial assistance to a selected number of deserving student-athletes from our community each year.
GymBC scholarships are designed to assist our current members in their pursuit of post-secondary education. These Gymnastics BC Scholarships honour young British Columbia students who have:
All applications are reviewed by an Awards & Scholarships committee. Points are issued based on submitted content in the areas of Athletic and Scholastic Experiences and Achievements, Community and Gymnastics Involvement, Reference Letters and a Personal Essay.
Scholarship recipients are recognized during the Gymnastics BC awards ceremony each year.
To qualify for a Gymnastics BC scholarship, applicants must:
Gymnastics BC Awards are presented annually to recognize contributions across all areas of the sport. Awards fall into several categories, each with its own selection process.
GymBC nomination-based awards are selected based on submissions from the GymBC community. A nomination form is released, and any member of the community can submit a nomination. Final recipients are chosen by the Awards & Scholarships Committee based on the quality and quantity of nominations received.
Coaching & Judging awards are selected by GymBC staff. Coaching awards are based on factors such as course delivery, engagement, and participant feedback. Judging awards recognize contributions to the judging community, including commitment, professionalism, and years of service.
Technical Program Awards for WAG, MAG, and TG are determined based on a points system that reflects athlete performance and club or coach results over the competitive season. These recipients are identified through program-specific metrics and confirmed by each Technical Committee.
Gymnastics For All awards are nomination-based and selected based on submissions from the GFA community. A nomination form is released, and any member of the community can submit a nomination. Final recipients are chosen by the Awards & Scholarships Committee based on the quality and quantity of nominations received.
Click here for full awards list and specific criteria for each one.
NEW in 2025: Coaching Impact Award – Awarded to a coach who has made a significant positive impact within their club and community through inclusive, values-driven coaching that supports athlete development, participation, and a love for the sport. One recipient per discipline (GFA, MAG, WAG, TG).
Inclusivity Award – Awarded to a club/team and/or individual that demonstrates leadership in creating welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environments for equity-deserving and underrepresented populations in sport. This may include, but is not limited to, programming for individuals with disabilities, seniors, Indigenous communities, racialized groups, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and newcomers to Canada. Multiple recipients may be selected annually.
Volunteer (Team) of the Year – Awarded to a club/team and/or individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer contributions on behalf of gymnastics in BC over the past year.
NEW in 2025: True Sport Award – Awarded to a club/team and/or individual that exemplifies the True Sport principles by creating a meaningful impact both within gymnastics and in their broader community. This award honours those who lead with integrity and embody values such as Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back.
Member of Distinction – This award honouring an individual whose long-term commitment, contributions and achievements have benefitted gymnastics in BC. Winners of the Member of Distinction award are then eligible for selection as a Life Member of Gymnastics BC. Nominations for the Member of Distinction Award are accepted year-round. To be considered for presentation at that year's Awards & Scholarships Celebration, nominations must be submitted by July 31.
Life Member - This award honours an individual who has devoted their life’s work to bettering our sport and serving the BC gymnastics community with integrity and dedication. Life Members are typically selected from GymBC’s list of Members of Distinction. In exceptional cases, individuals who have made an extraordinary impact—such as Olympians—may be considered without prior Member of Distinction recognition.
NEW in 2025: Gymnaestrada Team of the Year – Awarded to a team that exemplifies the spirit of Gymnaestrada through creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Selected by the local organizing committee in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the event’s energy and community.
NEW in 2025: Innovator in GFA Programming – Awarded to an individual who demonstrates creativity, initiative, and leadership in developing inclusive, engaging, and forward-thinking Gymnastics for All programming. This individual may be a coach, coach-in-training, or administrator at a GymBC member club.
GFA Club of the Year - Awarded to a GymBC member club that demonstrates outstanding commitment to Gymnastics for All through inclusive programming, community engagement, and the promotion of lifelong participation in gymnastics. This club fosters a positive environment where athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can thrive.
Click here for the WAG Awards Points Chart
Karen Kelsall Award – Presented to the top All Around Level 8 (young category) athlete at the Western Canadian Championships.
Gladys Hartley Provincial Coach of the Year – Awarded to the coach/team of the Karen Kelsall Award recipient.
Sandra Hartley Award – Presented to the top All Around athletes in both Level 9 and Level 10 at the Canadian Championships.
Sev Heiberg Provincial Coach of the Year – Awarded to the coaches/teams of the Sandra Hartley Award recipients.
Shallon Olsen Award – Presented to the top combined All Around Novice athlete at the Canadian Championships.
Shallon Olsen Coach Award – Awarded to the coach/team of the Shallon Olsen Award recipient.
Kate Richardson Award – Presented to a Senior or Junior athlete based on Canadian Championships All Around results, National Team selection, and international assignment performance.
Kate Richardson Coach Award – Awarded to the coach/team of the Kate Richardson Award recipient.
Provincial Club of the Year – Awarded to the club with the strongest results across provincial-level athletes (up to Level 8 and Aspire) at GymBC Championships, BC Winter Games, and Western Canadian Championships.
National Club of the Year – Awarded to the club with the strongest results from national-level athletes (Level 9–10) at GymBC Championships, Western Canadian Championships, and Canadian Championships.
High Performance Club of the Year – Awarded to a club based on the overall success and depth of its High Performance athletes.
Xcel Club of the Year – Awarded to a club with the most category wins at the GymBC Championships in the Xcel program.
Click here for the MAG Awards Points Chart
Owen Walstrom Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Junior or Senior athlete.
Bill Mackie High Performance Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Elite 3 or Elite 4 athlete.
Richard Ikeda National Level Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked male gymnast in Level 4, Level 5, or National Open.
Stan Wilkes Provincial Level Coach of the Year – Awarded to a club based on the success of its Provincial level athletes throughout the season.
Mits Ikeda National Level Coach of the Year – Awarded to a club based on the success of its National and High Performance athletes throughout the season.
John Tutte Award – Awarded to an athlete who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in coaching and judging.
Click here for the TG Awards Points Chart
High Performance Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Junior, Senior, or Level 7 male athlete.
High Performance Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Junior, Senior, or Level 7 female athlete.
National Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Level 5 or Level 6 male athlete.
National Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked Level 5 or Level 6 female athlete.
Pre-National Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked provincial-level male athlete in Level 4 or lower.
Pre-National Athlete of the Year – Presented to the highest ranked provincial-level female athlete in Level 4 or lower.
Provincial Club of the Year – Awarded to the club whose provincial-level athletes accumulated the most points throughout the season.
National Club of the Year – Awarded to the club whose High Performance and national-level athletes accumulated the most points throughout the season.
Coach Developer of the Year - Awarded to a coach developer who has made a significant contribution to coach education in gymnastics in BC. This may include Learning Facilitators, Coach Evaluators, or Master Coach Developers. Recipients are selected based on the number of courses or evaluations delivered, as well as the quality of feedback received from participants and peers.
Official of the Year - Awarded to a judge who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism, and leadership in the BC gymnastics community. This individual consistently upholds the standards of fair play, supports the development of others, and contributes meaningfully to the advancement of judging within their discipline.
Judging Pins - Judges are awarded service pins based on their years of service in the judging community. These pins are issued in 5-year increments (5 years to 50 years)
NEW in 2025: Education Club of the Year - Awarded to the GymBC member club that demonstrates exceptional commitment to coach and judge development through active participation in education initiatives. This includes hosting and attending NCCP courses, virtual training, CPE sessions, and other recognized learning opportunities. The recipient is determined through a points-based system that reflects engagement across all forms of education tracked by GymBC.
Special Achievement Award – Past recipients have included GymBC members/athletes that have achieved new national records, Olympic athletes and coaches of Olympic athletes.
GymBC Excellence Awards – Past recipients have included GymBC members that are recognized for lifetime contributions to sport - ex. retiring judge after 40 years.
National Team Members - Recognition is provided to all those athletes from our GymBC community that have been named to the national team during the event season.
Hosting Awards - Awarded to the GymBC Member Clubs and their event teams, that have co-hosted GymBC events during the previous event season.
Gymnastics BC's annual Awards and Scholarships Celebration honours the achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches, judges, and volunteers. This special event, typically held each fall, celebrates excellence across our gymnastics community. Check back in Summer 2025 for details on the 2025 event!
Discover the rich history of excellence and achievement in Gymnastics BC. These documents highlight past recipients, celebrate milestones, and honor the outstanding contributions of athletes, coaches, judges, and volunteers who have shaped our community over the years.
GymBC History of Award Winners
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Historical References for Named Awards
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